Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia?

Explanation:
In schizophrenia, positive symptoms are experiences or behaviors added to normal functioning. Delusions of reference are a specific type of delusion where a person believes that ordinary events or remarks have personal meaning or are directed at them, such as thinking a TV news anchor is sending messages specifically to them. This added belief reflects an abnormal thought content and fits the definition of a positive symptom. In contrast, flat affect, alogia, and anhedonia are negative symptoms, representing reductions in normal functioning—diminished emotional expression, reduced speech, and diminished ability to experience pleasure, respectively.

In schizophrenia, positive symptoms are experiences or behaviors added to normal functioning. Delusions of reference are a specific type of delusion where a person believes that ordinary events or remarks have personal meaning or are directed at them, such as thinking a TV news anchor is sending messages specifically to them. This added belief reflects an abnormal thought content and fits the definition of a positive symptom.

In contrast, flat affect, alogia, and anhedonia are negative symptoms, representing reductions in normal functioning—diminished emotional expression, reduced speech, and diminished ability to experience pleasure, respectively.

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