Schizophrenic Patients’ Poor Perception in Personal Hygiene

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a chronic and debilitating neuropsychiatric disorder, characterized by heterogeneous symptoms, including positive symptoms (e.g., delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts) and negative symptoms (e.g., flattened affect, poverty of speech, and social withdrawal) [1]. Patients with Schizophrenia typically have poor grooming and self-care skills, which affect their social relationships and their chances of successful incorporation into their communities [2,3]. The characteristics of a negative syndrome in schizophrenic patients are blunted or restricted affect, poverty of speech, loss of drive, social and emotional withdrawal, and apathy. These are what are known as primary negative symptoms, and are a direct manifestation of the pathologic process. Poor grooming and impaired social relationships are secondary negative symptoms [4]. Personal hygiene is an important part of a cleansing process, and is the basis for establishing healthy relationships with family members and friends.