s to a ôphenomenon that in the personÆs culture would be regarded as totally implausibleö (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, 188).
Form of thought refers to both a loosening of associations and a poverty of speech content (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, 188). When a loosening of associations is manifested, a patientÆs ôideas shift from one subject to another, completely unrelated or only obliquely related subject, without the speakerÆs displaying any awareness that the topics are unconnectedö (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, 188).
Hallucinations are major perceptual disturbances. The most common form in schizophrenia is audio, although hallucinations may also be tactile, somatic, visual, gustatory, and olfactory in character (American Psychiatric Association, 1987 189).
Affective disturbances present in schizophrenia are either flat or inappropriate. Flat refers to a virtual absence of affective expressionù-a monotonous voice and an immobile face (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, 189). Inappropriate refers to an affect which ôis clearly discordant with the content of a personÆs speech or ideationö (American Psychiatric Association, 1987 189).
Other aspects of the psychopathology of schizophrenia may also be present in patients suffering from the disorder. The sense of self, which provides ôindividuality, uniqueness, and self-direction,ö may be disturbed (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, 189). Volition disturbances (self-initiated, goal-directed activity) may be ôgrossly impair work or other role functioningö (American Psychiatric Association, 1987, 189). Individuals suffering from schizophrenia may also exhibit extreme difficulty in the maintenance of interpersonal relationships and in rela
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