Which symptom category is described as persisting after the acute phase of a psychotic episode?

Which symptom category is described as persisting after the acute phase of a psychotic episode?

• A. Positive symptoms
• B. Cognitive symptoms
• C. Mood symptoms
• D. Residual symptoms

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that after the most intense positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking) decrease, some symptoms can persist in a milder form. Those lingering symptoms are called residual symptoms. They often involve negative features like reduced motivation, flat affect, social withdrawal, and slowed thinking, which continue even though the acute psychotic crisis has passed. Positive symptoms tend to remit after treatment, mood symptoms and cognitive symptoms can occur in various patterns, but the label that specifically captures the idea of ongoing, milder symptoms after the acute phase is residual symptoms.

The main idea is that after the most intense positive symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking) decrease, some symptoms can persist in a milder form. Those lingering symptoms are called residual symptoms. They often involve negative features like reduced motivation, flat affect, social withdrawal, and slowed thinking, which continue even though the acute psychotic crisis has passed. Positive symptoms tend to remit after treatment, mood symptoms and cognitive symptoms can occur in various patterns, but the label that specifically captures the idea of ongoing, milder symptoms after the acute phase is residual symptoms.