What is an example of a negative symptom of schizophrenia?

Affective flattening is indeed recognized as a negative symptom of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms refer to the absence or diminution of normal emotional responses or behaviors that are expected in a healthy individual. Affective flattening specifically involves a reduction in the range and intensity of emotional expression, which can manifest as a lack of facial expressions, reduced eye contact, or diminished gestures when communicating.

In contrast, hallucinations and delusions are categorized as positive symptoms of schizophrenia, which involve the presence of abnormal thoughts or perceptions that are not typically experienced in the general population. Confusion can be seen in various psychiatric conditions but is not typically designated as a symptom of schizophrenia in the same way that affective flattening represents a loss of normal functioning. Understanding these differences between negative and positive symptoms is crucial in the assessment and treatment of individuals with schizophrenia.