Depression vs. Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia - How To Tell The Difference

In this video, I go over the difference between the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and depression with psychosis. I also define negative vs. positive symptoms. Eugen Bleuler expanded our understanding of schizophrenia by introducing the 4 A’s: Alogia, Autism, Affective blunting and Ambivalence. These 4 A’s are now called negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms refer to delusions, hallucinations and disorganized thinking or behavior.

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References
Cerveri G, Gesi C, Mencacci C. Pharmacological treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia: update and proposal of a clinical algorithm. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019;15:1525-1535

Krynicki, C. R., Upthegrove, R., Deakin, J., & Barnes, T. (2018). The relationship between negative symptoms and depression in schizophrenia: a systematic review. Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica, 137(5), 380–390.

Arantes-Gonçalves, F., Gama Marques, J., & Telles-Correia, D. (2018). Bleuler's Psychopathological Perspective on Schizophrenia Delusions: Towards New Tools in Psychotherapy Treatment. Frontiers in psychiatry, 9, 306.

Disclaimer: All of the information on this channel is for educational purposes and not intended to be specific/personal medical advice from me to you. Watching the videos or getting answers to comments/question, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. If you have your own doctor, perhaps these videos can help prepare you for your discussion with your doctor.

[bettievw]

I love these videos showing the differences between similar symptoms in different disorders! Can you do one on ADHD vs autism vs borderline? Mostly when it comes to emotional dysregulation and understanding, I find it very hard to understand the differences. I have been diagnosed with ADHD, but I find that a lot of my issues aren't covered by that diagnosis or are at least never treated. Especially when it comes to emotional permanence, recognizing emotions in myself and others, and regulating strong emotions.

[gallezzo]

This doctor needs a radio show. Maybe the people need her to have a show. She has great information, easy to listen to and photogenic as all get out.

[throwawayaccnt]

My mom was schizophrenic and I have frequent anxiety attacks about developing schizophrenia myself. I'm a female in my 20's and have major depression, C-PTSD and chronic neurological disorders so sometimes I worry that though I don't have any positive symptoms, I've been misdiagnosed, and I'm actually developing schizophrenia and presenting with negative symptoms. The examples in this video have helped calm me down and identify the differences between my depression and the negative schizophrenia symptoms. I'll come back to this during my next anxiety attack.

Sincerely, thank you.

[amonas]

As a person with schizophrenia after a long adventure i can tell that you are spot on

[Benni]

As a kid, I was super shy, but as I got into puberty and my hormones changed, I got more excited, especially since I was super excited about going into high school and making new friends. However, it was hard for me to express my emotions in general, and I eventually got diagnosed with both anxiety and depression in one psychiatry session when I was 16, and it was very intense and hard for me to understand what those diagnoses meant at the time. I was just trying to live a “normal” life, but with my recovery from my leg surgery, and getting diagnosed with anxiety depression, AND PTSD, it was very hard for me to express my emotions, since here was so much going on in my head. I hope this makes sense! ☺️

[bobbyjacob]

I always find myself watching your videos, regardless if I am or am not experiencing symptoms related to your topics of the videos. Being a healthcare worker myself (Registered Nurse) I love becoming more educated and informed on the body and mind. I enjoy your channel very much! Thanks for all the content, both past, and future posts.

[melo]

I definitely have that flat effect thing, the way you described it matches me 100%. It's one of my biggest hurdles in life actually. People judge me as being this serious or angry/crazy person before can even open my mouth. I also can hold alot of tension and anxiety in my face. It's super frustrating and makes me not even wanna try to interact with people. I'm glad you did this video, this is something I need to know more about.

[moarroz]

Oh good question and one I needed to hear. Thanks Dr.Marks! Have a good day😊

[Valentina_Salas]

I wish I had this video when i got married so i could have understood better my husband. He's just recently diagnosed schezoaffective bipolar. He thinks reality isn't real and I'm not real and we're just a fluid and random state of energy he calls cosmic milk 🥺🙏 he can't express emotions, have the disorganized thinking and is in psychosis at the moment. I'm trying to educate myself in this as much as i can..thank you for this channel 💕

[MsLhuntMartinez]

My uncle's wife died from diabetes because she was schizophrenic and thought that everyone was trying to poison her by giving he insulin. She also kept throwing away cell phones because she didn't want government tracking her 🙏

[pchab]

You are amazing Dr. Tracey Marks! Thank you for your service to humanity. I have known and cared deeply for someone over the past 3 years and it's been so hard to comprehend their behavior and this video is a God send. It's like I described details to you and you provided this explanation. I now feel at peace with them. They were not being deliberately calculated and manipulative or ambivalent and avoidant, they were literally being true to who they are and saying so all the time, but I had no insight regarding these conditions. Love truly must be patient.

[jaredhouston]

It's always a pleasure to sit down and watch one of your videos, I feel as though I am learning more about the people around me and myself, not saying that everyone is crazy, just that these symptoms are extremes of everyone's personalities and everyone is a gradient of dysfunction, IMO. We live with the human condition we don't necessarily overcome it.

[galeoshea]

Thank you Dr Marks for being so generous with your knowledge. You have helped me so much ❤

[icystorm]

Watching your videos is so entertaining, calming and relaxing. You explain things really well and your delivery is extremely easy on the senses and doesn't need much deciphering through unnecessarily complex verbiage. ❤️

[zonk]

Sending all of my love to those who are struggling. thank you for this video

[MeowMeow-symi]

This was super informative. I was paranoid that I might be schizophrenic 😂 I think my mental health team is right that it's depression with psychotic symptoms. It is just like how you described it.

[Gohangr]

Loved the conversation examples. Excellent as always:) take care!

[xoazelinox]

Thank you Dr. Marks for explaining depression with psychotic symptoms. I've been suffered this one, MDD with psychosis and unstable mood. My psychosis is auditory hallucinations that asked me to order myself by doing harm myself and commit suicide. Somehow, I can relate these symptoms you told in video. Thank you, Dr. Marks!

Having psychosis is quite nightmare to me. I always feel different among people around. I don't know why. I even disorganized thoughts because I lost my own thoughts. It's quite miserable.

[Lovelytrini]

I really appreciate all your videos and how you present each topic! You are amazing ❤️

[DrJustininJapan]

Dr. Marks SHOULD HAVE BEEN my "Social Psychology: Understanding Human Behavior" professor in college!!! I would have enjoyed and LEARNED SO MUCH MORE from her in class 😁😁😁 My instructor was way less interesting to listen to, haha. Maybe I would have even become a psychiatrist myself. Such an interesting field and career. Thank you for sharing all of this clinical wisdom and insight with us 🌟🌟🌟