What does the doctor mean when he says someone has negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

The negative symptoms are early signs of schizophrenia and may present months or years before the positive symptoms. These early signs of schizophrenia may present with loss of interest, no emotion, a flat affect, neglect of personal hygiene, loneliness, and absence of motivation. Some of the other early warning signs may be eccentric behavior, lack of emotion or empathy and reclusiveness. Most individuals who do not seek treatment tend to have poor performance at school and work.

In some individuals with schizophrenia, early signs may reveal poor cognition. These symptoms are the most disabling and interfere with everyday tasks. Other early signs of schizophrenia include inability to comprehend information, difficulty paying attention and having regular memory problems. Finally, schizophrenia may also affect mood or cause mood swings. In most cases, these individuals immediately appear odd and lead a solitary life.