Positive and Negative Syndrome

Scale (PANSS)
Introduction

PANSS

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 Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

Overview
 The PANSS, developed by SR Kay et al is a 30-item
rating scale that is specifically developed to assess
individuals with schizophrenia and is used very widely
in research settings. The PANSS is an adaption from
earlier psychopathology scales, including the Brief
Psychopathology Rating Scale (BPRS).
 Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

Overview
 PANSS is based upon the premises that schizophrenia
has two distinct syndromes, a positive and a negative
syndrome. The positive syndrome includes those
productive features such as delusions and
hallucinations, while the negative syndrome includes
those features which are lacking/poorly developed in
individuals with schizophrenia, such as social
withdrawal and flattened or blunted affect.
 Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

Overview
 Target Population: patients with schizophrenia.
 Time taken: 45 to 50 minutes
 Main indication: Determines presence of symptom,
frequency and influence on activities / functioning
 Rating performed by: Trained health professionals.
 Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

Symptoms
 PANSS obtains specific information about range of
symptoms:

• Poor impulse control • Anxiety

• Poor impulse control
• Somatic concerns
• Depression
• Feelings of guilt
• Grandiosity
• Delusions
• Unusual thought content
• Suspiciousness/persecution
• Passive/apathetic social withdrawal
• Active social avoidance
 Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

Symptoms
 Before rating are assigned it is important to establish
presence & severity of symptoms
 Prominence of abnormal manifestations
 Frequency of occurrence
 Disruptive impact on daily functioning,
 Disorientation, difficulty in abstract thinking, judgment, insight
 Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

Item Points
 The Seven Positive Symptom : Items (P1-P7)
 P1 Delusions
 P2 Conceptual Disorganization
 P3 Hallucinatory Behavior
 P4 Excitement
 P5 Grandiosity
 P6 Suspiciousness/persecution
 P7 Hostility
 Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

Item Points
 The Seven Negative Symptom: Items (N1-N7)
 N1 Blunted affect
 N2 Emotional withdrawal
 N3 Poor rapport
 N4 Passive/apathetic social withdrawal
 N5 Difficulty in abstract thinking
 N6 Lack of spontaneity and conversation flow
 N7 Stereotyped thinking
 Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

Item Points
 General Psychopathology: Items (G1-G16)

• G1. Somatic concerns • G9. Unusual thought content

• G2. Anxiety
• G3. Guilt feelings
• G4. Tension
• G5. Mannerisms/ posturing
• G6. Depression
• G7. Motor retardation
• G8. Uncooperativeness
• G10. Disorientation
• G11. Poor attention
• G12. Lack of judgment and insight
• G13. Disturbance of volition
• G14. Poor impulse control
• G15. Preoccupation
• G16. Active social avoidance
 Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)

References
 Main reference: Kay SR, Fiszbein A, Opler LA: The
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) for
schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bulletin 13:261-276,
1987a.