Pacing and rapid speech in this patient are examples of which symptom category?

• A. Positive symptoms
• B. Negative symptoms
• C. Cognitive symptoms
• D. Affective symptoms

Answer: (A)

Pacing and rapid speech are signs of abnormal behavior and thought processes that go beyond normal functioning, which is what positive symptoms reflect in schizophrenia. Pacing shows increased psychomotor activity, and rapid or pressured speech signals disorganized thinking and speech patterns. These features add to the person’s usual level of functioning rather than represent a deficit already present. By contrast, negative symptoms involve the absence or reduction of normal functions (like flat affect or avolition), cognitive symptoms involve problems with thinking and memory, and affective symptoms relate to mood disturbances. So pacing and rapid speech fit with positive symptoms because they indicate an excess or distortion of normal behavior and thought.