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Schizophrenia Primer 2 of 3: Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Learn more about how negative symptoms impact patients.

Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia infographic

Understanding negative symptoms of schizophrenia and their impact on daily living

The negative signs of schizophrenia, termed “negative symptoms,” are often among the earliest symptoms to appear1,2 and can be categorized as experiential or expressive based on their manifestation.3,4 The negative symptom domain comprises five key constructs: affective blunting, alogia, asociality, anhedonia, and avolition.3 Negative symptoms have been more directly linked to poor quality of life than positive symptoms3,5 and are a predictor of real-life functioning.3,6,7 Furthermore, negative symptoms are associated with a higher likelihood of hospital admission and readmission and a longer duration of hospitalization.8 Patients with persistent negative symptoms spend an average of 2.8 times longer in the hospital.9

Challenges and advances in treating negative symptoms of schizophrenia 

Although a core symptom domain of schizophrenia, negative signs of schizophrenia are often overlooked in clinical settings.7,10 There are no approved pharmacotherapies specifically targeting negative symptoms, and the available treatment options have limited efficacy.3 Psychosocial interventions are recommended for managing negative symptoms,3,6 but they have demonstrated only small effect sizes.11 Patients may also lack insight into the presence of negative symptoms and often do not seek medical care for these signs of schizophrenia.3 Addressing negative symptoms remains a significant unmet need.3

Explore our resource section to find additional research and practical information.

Further reading

  • Galderisi S, et al. Negative symptoms of schizophrenia: new developments and unanswered research questions. Lancet Psychiatry 2018;5:664–677.
    This study summarizes the evolution of the conceptualization of negative symptoms, the most important findings, and remaining open questions.
  • Bègue I, et al. Pathophysiology of negative symptom dimensions of schizophrenia - current developments and implications for treatment. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020;116:74–88.
    The current literature on neuroimaging, behavior, and clinical studies on negative symptom dimensions are analyzed in this study.

Cite this article as Schizophrenia Primer 2 of 3: Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia. Connecting Psychiatry. Published February 2025. Accessed [month day, year]. [URL]

  1. Stahl SM. Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology, 5th ed., 2020. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

  2. An der Heiden W, et al. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2016;266:387–396.

  3. Correll CU, Schooler NR. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2020;16:519–534.

  4. Messinger JW, et al. Clin Psychol Rev 2011;31:161–168.

  5. Novick D, et al. Value Health 2015;18:A386–A837.

  6. Galderisi S, et al. European Psychiatry 2021;64:1–15.

  7. Butcher I, et al. Br J Clin Psychol 2020;59:319–334.

  8. Patel R, et al. BMJ Open. 2015;5:e007619.

  9. Chang WC, et al. Schizophr Res. 2011;133:22-28. 

  10. Strauss GP, et al. Schizophr Bull 2019;45:725–729.

  11. Lutgens D, et al. BMJ Psychiatry. 2017;210:324–332.

SC-US-77223

SC-CRP-16787

November 2024

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