Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

Which term refers to the experience of impairments that are associated with the negative aspects of schizophrenia?

1. Positive symptoms

2. Negative symptoms

3. Psychomotor symptoms

4. Affective flattening

The correct answer is: Negative symptoms

The term that refers to the experience of impairments associated specifically with the negative aspects of schizophrenia is indeed negative symptoms. Negative symptoms encompass a range of deficits or reductions in normal emotional responses or behaviors that are typically present in individuals without schizophrenia. These may include lack of motivation, diminished emotional expression, social withdrawal, and a decrease in the ability to experience pleasure. Understanding negative symptoms is crucial in the context of schizophrenia because they profoundly impact a person's quality of life and functional capabilities. They often present a more significant barrier to recovery and daily functioning when compared to positive symptoms, which are characterized by the presence of unusual thoughts or perceptions, such as hallucinations and delusions. In contrast, psychomotor symptoms and affective flattening are more specific aspects of schizophrenia. Psychomotor symptoms can refer to abnormal movements or gestures, while affective flattening is the reduction in emotional expression that may occur as part of the negative symptoms. However, negative symptoms as a category encompass a broader range of deficits beyond these specific manifestations.