Final answer:
Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia include attentional problems, memory problems, and decision-making problems, which affect the ability to perform daily tasks and process information.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristic cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia include attentional problems, memory problems, and decision-making problems. Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that often involves difficulty in distinguishing reality from imagination, inappropriate emotional responses, and challenges in social interactions. Cognitive symptoms specifically relate to issues with thought processes and executive functions.
Patients may experience disorganized thinking, struggles with concentrating, and trouble retaining new information, which impacts their ability to function in daily life. Additionally, antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia can sometimes produce side effects that resemble cognitive impairments typically found in disorders like Parkinson's disease.