Final answer:
The answer to the student's question is 'c. absence; presence,' indicating that positive symptoms represent the presence of inappropriate behaviors, while negative symptoms signify the absence of appropriate behaviors in schizophrenia. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are the presence of inappropriate behaviors, and negative symptoms are the absence of appropriate behaviors. This can be summarized as 'c. absence; presence' for the answer to the given student's question.
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder characterized by a range of symptoms. Positive symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech or behavior, which can be thought of as an excess or distortion of normal functions. Negative symptoms, on the other hand, reflect a decrease or loss of normal functions, such as diminished emotional expression, lack of motivation, and reduced social engagement.
Treatments typically include antipsychotic medications, which can reduce symptoms by affecting neurotransmitters like dopamine in the brain. Care should be taken with these medications as they can sometimes lead to side effects similar to those seen in Parkinson's disease, due to dopamine receptor blocking which diminishes dopamine neurotransmission.