Negative Psychotic Symptoms

Negative Psychotic Symptoms PTSD Symptoms Print Negative Psychotic Symptoms Negative psychotic symptoms are characterized by absence or loss of experience By Matthew Tull, PhD twitter Matthew Tull, PhD is a professor of psychology at the University of Toledo, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder. Learn about our editorial policy Matthew Tull, PhD Updated on June 24, 2019 Thomas Barwick / Stone / Getty Images More in PTSD Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Related Conditions PTSD and the Military Psychotic symptoms can be divided into two groups: positive psychotic symptoms and negative psychotic symptoms. Positive symptoms are characterized by the  presence  of unusual feelings, thoughts or behaviors.  Positive symptoms  include such experiences as hallucinations or delusions. A hallucination could be hearing voices that no one else can hear or see things that are not really there. Negative psychotic symptoms are those characterized by absence or loss of experience. Negative psychotic symptoms include: A decrease in or complete loss of the ability to emotionally respond to people, events, etc.A decrease in speaking (alogia).Difficulty sticking with activities and tasks; the appearance of being unmotivated or withdrawn; may have difficulty completing even the simplest of tasks, such as getting dressed in the morning. Psychotic Symptoms and PTSD Researchers at the University of Manitoba, Columbia University and the University of Regina examined the data on 5,877 people from across the United States to determine the rates with which people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experience  different psychotic symptoms. They found that, among people with PTSD, the experience of positive psychotic symptoms was most common. Approximately 52 percent of people who reported having PTSD at some point in their lifetime also reported experiencing a positive psychotic symptom. The most common positive symptoms were: Believing that other people were spying on or following them (27.5 percent)Seeing something that others could not see (19.8 percent)Having unusual feelings inside or outside of their bodies, such as feeling as though they were being touched when no one was really there (16.8 percent)Believing that they could hear what someone else was thinking (12.4 percent)Being bothered by strange smells that no one else could smell (10.3 percent)Believing that their behaviors and thoughts were being controlled by some power or force (10 percent) The researchers also found  evidence that the more PTSD symptoms  a person was experiencing, the greater the likelihood that they would also experience positive psychotic symptoms. To take their study a step further, the researchers also looked at what  traumatic events were most commonly related to the experience of psychotic symptoms. They found the following to be most strongly connected: Being involved in a fire, flood, or  natural disasterSeeing someone get seriously injured or killedExperiencing tremendous shock  as a result of a traumatic event  that happened to a close relative, friend, or significant other What This All Means The experience of psychotic symptoms may tell the story of just how severe  a persons case of PTSD  is and how well he or she is coping with the condition. It may also raise red flags about the likelihood of potentially dangerous behaviors. It has been suggested that the experience of psychotic symptoms in those with PTSD may be connected to the experience of  dissociation.  Frequent dissociation  may increase the risk  for the development of psychotic symptoms. And studies have shown that people with PTSD who experience psychotic symptoms, as compared to those who do not, may be at greater risk for a number of problems, such  as suicidal thoughts,  suicide attempts, and greater overall distress. If a loved one has PTSD and is experiencing psychotic symptoms, it is very important that they seek out treatment. Various different resources  are available for people  seeking help  for their PTSD.