ABSTRACT
Negative symptoms are characterised by the absence of behaviours or experiences that would normally be expected within a person's social context. They are emotional, motivational and behavioural deficits. Schizophrenia with many negative symptoms has been found to be associated with poor premorbid functioning, insidious onset, partial or no remissions during the initial years of illness and, in most cases, a progressive course leading to permanent disability. The nature of negative symptoms, particularly social withdrawal and loss of motivation can lead to loss of social contact, loss of employment and resultant further loss of functioning. Depression is a disorder of mood or affect which often manifests in physical symptoms such as sleep disturbance, reduced appetite and corresponding weight loss or increased appetite and weight gain, together with characteristic changes in thinking about oneself, one's world and one's future. Research into psychological treatment of negative symptoms has shown that cognitive behavioural therapy can be very helpful in reducing the difficulties.
