psychiatric disorders
Introduction to Schizophrenia and Related Disorders
Introduction
 Schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders— Psychotic symptomsinclude delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking and speech, and bizarre and inappropriate motor behavior (including catatonia). Negative symptomsrefer to a decrease in or lack of normal emotions and behaviors, such as having a flattened affect and lack of motivation. Cognitive dysfunctionin these disorders affects attention, executive function, and memory. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and the course of the illness; biologic markers of the disease have not yet been identified, but they are widely sought. 