(Andreasen & Olsen, 1982). Poor social skills are
closely related to repetitive recurrences of the disease
and re-hospitalization, and have been reported as important
factors affecting prognosis (Granholm et al., 2005).
Schizophrenia can diminish motivation, initiative,
mood, and emotional expression; these constitute the
category of “negative” symptoms. This may lead sufferers
to become slower to talk and act, and increasingly
indifferent to social contact and emotional interaction.
Over time, patients may lose contact with their friends
and family, be unable to continue working, and become
withdrawn and isolated. At its most extreme, individuals
lose the ability to look after themselves.
There are multiple features of schizophrenia, including
disability in everyday functioning (social functioning,
everyday living skills, productive activities, and
independence in living), cognitive impairments, various
comorbidities (substance abuse, medical illness, and
medication side-effects), and other symptoms such as