Relationship Between Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia And Level of Anxiety Among Schizophrenic Patients

Background: Positive symptoms reflect an excess or distortion of normal functions. Anxiety symptoms that are commonly intertwined with more positive symptoms such as delusions and hallucination can complicate the course of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to assess relationship between positive symptoms of schizophrenia and level of anxiety among schizophrenic patients .A descriptive correlational design was utilized to achieve the purpose of this study. The study was conducted at Psychiatric Mental Health Hospital in Banha City which is affiliated to the Ministry of Health.A purposive sample of 100 patients of schizophrenia who were hospitalized at the above mentioned setting were selected.Three instruments were used: First instrument: A structuredinterviewing questionnaire consisting of two parts: to assess Personal characteristics and clinical data of schizophrenic patients. Second instrument:: positive symptoms Scale to assess positive symptoms of schizophrenia .Third instrument: :Anxiety scaleto assess level of anxiety .The Results of this study revealed that majority of (87%) had positive symptoms of schizophrenia and 60% had severe anxiety . There is a positive significant correlation between positive symptoms of schizophrenia and the level of anxiety. Conclusion: There is a strong positive correlation between positive symptoms of Schizophrenia and the level of anxiety among patients having schizophrenia. Recommendation: Based on this result it is that aims to reduce symptoms of schizophrenia should be provided and should be provided to reduce the level of anxiety and stress management should be provided to patients having schizophrenia to decrease the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.