Schizophrenia is a mental condition in which one cannot differentiate between what is real and what is not. So, a person’s ability to function is affected by this condition. They might face issues in having a clear thought process, keeping their emotions in check, and displaying normal social behaviors. While the common signs of this disorder are hallucinations, delusions, and movement-related problems, people with schizophrenia could experience a few uncommon signs.

Alogia (trouble with speech)
Alogia, or poverty of speech, is the inability to carry out normal conversations with others and can be observed in people affected by mental illnesses. As a direct impact of a disorder, people can withdraw from social setups, including friends and family. People with or at risk of schizophrenia exhibit this speech poverty and seem less talkative. Their responses could be limited to one-word answers. They might take long pauses between words. Another distinct sign is that they speak when spoken to and talk in a flat tone with no or minimal facial expressions like smiling. In most cases, this sign is observed in people who are at high risk of a serious psychotic break but is generally ignored and assumed to be the normal behavior of the person.

Anhedonia or lack of pleasure

Normal people are naturally able to feel happy and find pleasure in everyday things. For example, listening to music, visiting a park, going for a ride, and other such activities can induce joy in people. However, people with mental disorders may find it difficult to find pleasure in their daily lives. This condition is called anhedonia and can be observed in two forms. The first type is physical anhedonia, in which the person cannot feel physical pleasure. For example, being hugged by a friend gives the person no joy, or the sight of their favorite food does not make them feel happy. The other type is social anhedonia, in which one prefers being left alone and avoids spending time with other people. People with mental health issues like schizophrenia exhibit anhedonia as they struggle to make new relationships or maintain old ones. They start to spend more time alone and turn down invitations to parties and family get-togethers, among other things.

Avolition or lack of motivation

People usually get through the day’s tasks driven by some kind of motivation. So, naturally, there may be certain tasks that one can postpone because they are not interested in doing them immediately. However, people with schizophrenia usually avoid accomplishing daily tasks with distinct stubbornness. They cannot be motivated to do their chores and simply cannot start or finish everyday activities kike taking a bath, washing their clothes or dishes, and getting groceries. They have no interest in planning their tasks and going through daily activities with any kind of zeal. Avolition or the total lack of motivation impacts the everyday life of people with mental health issues as most of them struggle with routine activities. A person experiencing this condition must be immediately administered the treatment required to relieve such symptoms.

Cognitive problems

Even though many patients exhibit this symptom, in many people suffering from mental disorders, this sign may be suppressed. Cognitive issues are associated with problems concentrating and memorizing. One can forget information and miss their appointments. They find it challenging to follow conversations and are uninterested in learning new things. Their attention span is short, and they may have poor decision-making skills as their ability to process information is impacted.

Alogia, anhedonia, avolition, and cognitive problems are signs that are often ignored by the person affected and people in their immediate circle. However, when accompanied by other symptoms, these signs indicate that one is affected by mental health issues like schizophrenia and needs professional help. Recognizing these indicators and taking quick action can make a huge difference in managing the disorder.