Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Exam 2025 – Complete Practice Resource

Negative symptoms in schizophrenia refer to a reduction or absence of normal functions or behaviors. Affective flattening and avolition are prime examples of these symptoms. Affective flattening is characterized by a diminished emotional expression or a lack of responsiveness, making it appear as if the individual has decreased emotional depth. Avolition involves a lack of motivation or inability to initiate and sustain purposeful activities, which can severely impair a person's ability to engage in daily life and social interactions.

In contrast, other options such as delusions and hallucinations are classified as positive symptoms, which reflect an excess or distortion of normal functions. Euphoria and hyperactivity are not typically associated with schizophrenia; instead, they might be seen in mood disorders like mania. Speech disturbances and paranoia can occur in schizophrenia but are primarily considered positive symptoms, as they denote the presence of additional experiences rather than the absence of normal ones. Thus, affective flattening and avolition distinctly represent the negative symptoms that characterize the condition.