1. Hallucinations: Hallucinations are one of the most common and recognizable signs of schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia may experience auditory, visual, or tactile hallucinations. Auditory hallucinations include hearing voices or other sounds that aren’t actually present. Visual hallucinations can include seeing shapes, lights, or people that aren’t actually there. Tactile hallucinations involve feeling sensations on the skin that aren’t actually there.
2. Delusions: Delusions are false beliefs that a person with schizophrenia may hold onto despite evidence to the contrary. These beliefs can be paranoid or persecutory in nature, such as believing that someone is out to get them or that they are being followed or watched. People with schizophrenia may also have delusions of grandeur, which involve believing that they have special powers or abilities.
3. Disorganized Thinking: Disorganized thinking is a symptom of schizophrenia that can manifest as confused or disjointed speech. For example, someone with schizophrenia may have trouble following a conversation, jump from topic to topic without any logical connection, or have difficulty finding the right words to express their thoughts.
4. Social Withdrawal: Social withdrawal is another common symptom of schizophrenia. People with the disorder may become isolated from their friends and family, and may have difficulty maintaining relationships. They may also avoid social situations out of fear or anxiety.
5. Changes in Emotional Expression: People with schizophrenia can have difficulty expressing emotions or understanding the emotions of others. They may have difficulty understanding social cues or body language, and may display inappropriate emotional reactions. In addition, some people with schizophrenia may appear to lack emotion or have a flat affect.