Schizophrenia has been categorized into two specific classes and has possible causes for each class. We will also focus on the roles of the nurse and the family and the importance of medication. (Anonymous, 1996a, 1996b, Fontaine & Fletcher, 1999). A psychiatrist's classical categories of schizophrenia once included undifferentiated, catatonic, paranoid, and disorganized subtypes. A new classifying system which is widely used has replaced the former categories. This system includes two categories which are positive characteristics and negative characteristics. There are five sub-characteristics which can be described as positive and negative. These are behavioral, affective, perceptual, cognitive and social (Fontaine & Fletcher, 1999).

teristics are additional behaviors which are not usually found in normal adults. These patients experience delusions, hear voices, and have inappropriate emotional responses. These clients feel as if people are harassing them and they cannot do anything about it. They experience feelings of guilt and try to punish themselves and others with aggression (Fontaine & Fletcher, 1999). Negative characteristics can be described as the lack of behaviors, or "flat effect." Symptoms include anhedonia and attention deficits. Most of these clients forget about self-care and their appearance can be a signal of negative Schizophrenia. These patients often have feelings of worthlessness and some eventually commit suicide. Negative characteristics have been found more difficult to treat (Fontaine & Fletcher, 1999).

4. Schizophrenic disorders. Essentials of mental health nursing (4th ed., pp. 281-309). Redwood City, CA: Addison-Wesley.

A review of psychosocial family interventions for schizophrenia. Nursing Times, 93(26), 46-47. Fontaine, K. L. & Fletcher, J. S. (1999).

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