What are negative symptoms in schizophrenia

Dr. Pagnani of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates discusses the term "negative symptoms" used to describe some of the symptoms that one sees in schizophrenia. These symptoms can include anhedonia (a decreased ability to feel enjoyment), avolition (decreased motivation), isolation/ decreased interest in social activities, alogia (poverty of speech) and others. These symptoms can worsen with treatment, and this is one of the reasons why providers should be careful to not overprescribe medications (with that said, medications can be life-saving and/or extremely important for many individuals with schizophrenia). One should be mindful regarding not prescribing doses in excess of what one may require for symptom resolution or management. All of this should be discussed directly with one's mental health provider.

Dr. Pagnani is the founder and medical director of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, an Instructor at The Johns Hopkins Hospital for the Department of Psychiatry, he supervises psychiatric residents at Jefferson Hospital, he serves on the Young Professional Board of Uplift, the Center for Grieving Children and he maintains a private practice of Psychiatry in Philadelphia where he sees patients for one-time psychiatric evaluations and second opinions. He is a licensed physician and surgeon in NJ, PA, NY, MD, DE, FL and CA and can provide consultations to individuals via HIPAA compliant Telehealth visits living in these locations.

Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates is a private practice of psychiatry consisting of about 25 psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and psychotherapists with physical locations in Philadelphia and Paoli, PA and serving all of PA, NJ, NY and FL virtually via HIPAA compliant tele-psychiatry. Individuals seeking not only evaluations but long-term psychiatric care, can contact Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates directly.

These videos aim to increase awareness and discussion of mental health topics and to encourage struggling individuals to schedule an appointment directly with a mental health provider. Mental health needs to be normalized, and simply speaking about mental health topics openly, is an important first step.

Dr. Pagnani and Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates are NOT advocating for or against the use of any mentioned psychiatric medications for any specific individual. Additionally, any side effects mentioned are not a complete list of potential side effects or contraindications to taking any mentioned medications, and all risks and benefits of a medication should be discussed with an individual’s provider at an appointment, before starting, stopping or making changes to a medication regimen.

This video is INFORMATIVE ONLY - NOT MEDICAL ADVICE.

If you are researching a specific topic, please view our Youtube channel, click all videos and use the search function. Please also visit and follow us on instagram and FB: @RittenhousePsych.

www.RittenhousePA.com
www.ChrisPagnaniMD.com

[jesuslima]

thank you for the explanation, im a student from venezuela preparing for the USMLE Boards, and did not understood the negative symptoms, now i do, thank you!

[silverdweller]

The avolition is crippling. I'm young but I can't get out of bed to shower and clean or do anything. Invega makes it worse.

[khaledmekky]

Thanks doc! i'm step 1 student and I really learn from you

[charissadorner]

I have schizophrenia and have no positive symptoms of schizophrenia only negative. I have gotten off my medication because of this but still am experiencing negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Do you know any treatments i could do to heal this, without bringing my positive symptoms back? I would love to see a video on this i can't find any good advice anywhere which seems odd that not even my psychiatrist has any idea.

[enlightenedmf]

Doctor im Schizophrenic and i have alogia .... I can't interpret any language verbally and have poverty of speech and thoughts....which makes it difficult for me to communicate... I have no friends since the day i came to exist .... My psychotic symptoms are under control but still suffering from negative and especially congnitive symptoms of I can't study ... cannot do daily tasks like everyone else does it .... Really in help ....what should i do 😢