What symptom might indicate the presence of positive symptoms in a patient?

Positive symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders refer to the presence of abnormal behaviors or experiences that are not typically observed in healthy individuals. Hallucinations, which involve sensory experiences without external stimuli, are a classic example of a positive symptom. They can manifest as hearing voices or seeing things that aren’t present, indicating a departure from reality.

In contrast, social withdrawal, memory loss, and impaired judgment are generally associated with negative symptoms or cognitive impairments rather than positive symptoms. Negative symptoms involve a decrease or loss of normal functions, such as motivation and emotional expression, while cognitive impairments can impact a person's ability to think clearly and process information. Thus, hallucinations serve as a clear indicator of positive symptoms, distinguishing them from the other options that relate more to deficits in functioning.