Schizophrenia is complex incurable (but treatable) lifelong affliction that affects approximately 1% of the population plus impacting sufferer’s family and friends.

Schizophrenia symptoms are often classified as negative or positive symptoms.

These symptoms are grouped based on whether they reflect diminished or excess function.

Negative symptoms in schizophrenia refer to a decrease or absence of normal function.

An example of this is a loss of interest in everyday activities, neglect of personal hygiene, Social withdrawal, decrease in talkativeness and loss of motivations.

Negative symptoms can be hard to diagnose as they can easily be mistaken for other disorders like depression.

Leanne spoke about the people with schizophrenia who have negative symptoms often need help with everyday tasks and with taking care of themselves

Leanne explained that schizophrenia positive symptoms relates to excess or distortion of normal functions where people lose touch with reality with hallucinations and delusions.

These symptoms are the ones are the ones most typically associated with schizophrenia or psychosis.

Schizophrenia is not curable but some measure of control is gained by treatment with anti-psychotic drugs

Past president Jo thanked Leaanne for stepping in and giving as a very informative presentation