What do they call positive and negative symptoms for schizophrenia or any psychotic disorder?

Good Question: The positive symptoms refer to things that are happening, such as hallucinations and bizarre thoughts. The negative symptoms are things that are missing, and these may include poor hygiene, lack of interest in activities, and social isolation.

Both are symptoms: Positive symptoms have to do with things a person doesn't normally experience-like hallucinations and delusions. Negative symptoms have to with things a person normally does, but doesn't do when psychotic or ill from schizophrenia such as getting out of bed and socializing with people. Often, the positive symptoms respond better to treatment than the negative symptoms, which may persist longer.

Schizophrenia: Positive symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thoughts/speech. Negative symptoms are called deficit symptoms, & include poverty of speech, flat/blunted affect, no desire for relationships or pleasure, & lack of motivation. The negative symptom schizophrenia has poor prognosis & poor response to tx.