Definition:
Characterized by the presence of odd or unusual feelings, thoughts, or behaviors. Positive psychotic symptoms may include:
- Auditory hallucinations such as hearing voices that other people cannot hear.
- Visual hallucinations, or seeing things that are not really there.
- Tactile hallucinations, or feeling things that are not really there.
- Gustatory hallucinations, or smelling things that are not really there.
- Delusions, or strongly held beliefs or ideas that are odd and unlikely to be true.
- Disorganized thought and speech such as making up words or speaking incoherently.
- Disorganized behavior such as sudden agitation, odd behavior, or staying in unusual poses for long periods of time.
Positive symptoms are often associated with the diagnosis of schizophrenia; however, they can also be seen in PTSD as well.
Source:
American Psychiatric Association (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th ed. Washington, DC: Author.
