5b. ADHD & Schizophrenia (neuropsychiatry)

Question 1

DSM-5 criteria ADHD (5x)

Answer 1

1. A persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity & impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development
2. Symptoms are present prior to age 12 years (because it is a neurodevelopmental disorder)
3. Symptoms are present in 2 or more settings (=pervasive)
4. Symptoms clearly interfere with social, academic, or occupational functioning
5. Not better explained by another mental disorder (e.g. mood disorder)

Question 2

Cognitive deficit profile ADHD

1. Inhibition (explain)
2. Shifting/cognitive flexibility
3. Visuospatial WM
4. Verbal WM (explain)
5. Planning
6. Verbal fluency (explain)

Answer 2

1. Core deficit: motor inhibition (stop signal, go-no go) > cognitive inhibition (Stroop)
2. Manipulation > maintenance
3. Mainly phonemic, minor deficit in semantic

Question 3

Observations during NPA of ADHD (4x)

Answer 3

1. Wiggling, motor restlessness
2. Easily distracted by external and internal factors
3. Problems with continuous performance tasks (sustained attention), e.g. avoidance, exhaustion
4. Off-task behavior (doing something entirely different), this is also related to the goal-directed aspect of EF. If it’s not up to date in you WM anymore, you cannot focus anymore on your goal and you get distracted and start doing something else.

Question 4

Which are adult symptoms of ADHD? (7x)

Answer 4

1. Less physical, more mental hyperactivity (feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated)
2. Impulsivity, easily distracted, misplacing things
3. Difficulty planning, missing appointments (underestimating time)
4. Missing parts of conversations (attention lapses)
5. Doing too many things at the same time (lack of focus)
6. Procrastinating (avoiding tasks that require concentration)
7. Stress, fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleeping problems
8. Problems meeting demands from work and family life

Question 5

DSM-5 criteria Schizophrenia

1. Symptoms are present for > … ?
2. > 2 out of 5 (at least item 1, 2, 3)

Answer 5

… >1 month

> 2 out of 5:

1. Delusions
2. Hallucinations
3. Disorganized speech
4. Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
5. Negative symptoms, e.g. decreased motivation, decreased expression of emotions (affective flattening)