Chapter 4 Flashcards
What is psychosis?
- mental state = profound disturbance in thinking
- difficulty distinguishing between most people’s “reality” and their own perception of the world
- may involve voices, delusions, difficulty navigating life
- central feature of schizophrenia
- not limited to schizophrenia
What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
- Episodic
- hallucinations
- Delusions
- experiencing new or additional mental phenomena
What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
- deficits in “normal” behaviour
- chronic
- Existing behaviours or feelings decline or disappear
What are the two forms of psychosis?
Hallucinations - sensory experience that occurs without any clear stimulus
and Delusions - holding a belief that most others consider impossible or highly unlikely, described as irrational or false beliefs that the person will hold even when presented with evidence against
What are persecutory delusions?
a person believes that others are “out to get them”, or that they are being targeted for mistreatment
What are Grandiose Delusions?
A person believes themselves to be in a position of great power, such as a deity, celebrity, or a head of government
What are Delusions related to control?
A person may believe that an external force is controlling their thoughts or body, or that thoughts are being implanted or broadcast aloud
What are delusions of reference?
Believing that they are being communicated with in code (receiving hidden secret messages through magazine or politicians gestures during broadcasted speech)
What are obsessive beliefs?
Perhaps thinking that a partner is having an affair, without evidence
What are Erotomanic delusions?
Believing that a stranger or celebrity is in love with them
What are delusions of guilt?
Deeply held belief that they have caused harm to others, when they have not
What are somatic delusions?
Believing that they have a bodily malfunction or terrible illness, without evidence of this
What is Disorganized speech as a positive symptom?
- unusual or disorganized speech patterns = core component of schizophrenia
- switching topics suddenly and frequently
- Using the same word repeatedly, maybe holds special meaning
- non responsive or unproductive answers to questions
What are examples of Negative Symptoms?
- “blunted affect” - less expressive tone of voice/facial expressions
- reduced speech with short responses, little elaboration
- Increased speech, but repetitive, with “poverty of content”
- May be more debilitating and limiting than positive symptoms
- seen as chronic or persistent (present for years)
What is Avolition?
Lack of drive, difficulty taking initiative to engage in routine tasks (including activities of daily living, eating/bathing)