Clinical features
The symptoms of schizophrenia vary in nature and in severity. Their general effect is to distort an individual’s perception of the world, their thinking, interpretation, behaviour and feelings. Symptoms are usually classified as positive symptoms and negative symptoms. These can coexist.
Insight is usually impaired in schizophrenia. The term insight refers to an awareness of change in oneself and an appropriate attitude to this change. Insight is not necessarily totally lost in schizophrenia, often only to a degree. People with schizophrenia may not accept that they are ill or see the need to accept treatment. If they do accept treatment, they may fail to recognise deterioration in the condition and the need for further action such as hospital admission. They may attribute their condition to the malevolent actions or intent of others (paranoia).
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