What is the impact of Psychosis and Schizophrenia on families? Discuss the Positive and Negative symptoms of Schizophrenia.

          Schizophrenia is a disorder that results in a decrease in adaptive functioning and is distinguished by psychosis (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Schizophrenia incapacitates whoever suffers from it. It also causes the impairment in several mental functions and a disrupts and decreases an individual’s normal functioning ability (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Schizophrenia does indeed have positive and negative symptoms. The positive symptoms of schizophrenia are pathological excesses, which includes hallucinations and delusions, as well as disorganized behavior or thought, and disorganized speech (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Negative symptoms are pathological deficits, which include  loss of motivation, poverty of speech, lack of pleasure, and emotional flattening (Hansell & Damour, 2008).

          Individuals with psychosis and schizophrenia may distrust and feel confused and paranoid regarding his or her family members. Therefore, family members often feel frustration and hurt. Often families feel unsettled and distressed. The impact of psychosis and schizophrenia on families is worse when families are not educated about psychosis and schizophrenia, whereas they do not know how they affect a specific family member. Once families gain an understanding of psychosis and schizophrenia they are better equipped to provide empathy and support for specific family members who suffer from psychosis and schizophrenia, and gain an understanding of their affects.

Reference

Hansell, J., & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.