characteristics of schizophrenia Flashcards
what is SZ?
a long term mental health condition involving a breakdown between thought, emotions and behaviour. Leads to faulty perceptions of the world. causes people to see, hear or believe things that aren’t real. doctors often describe SZ as a type of psychosis.
how to diagnose SZ?
we diagnose SZ through the diagnostic statistical manual (DSM). patient must display 2 or more positive or negative symptoms over a 1 month period. Only 1 symptom needs to be present if it’s really bizarre. the individual should also display occupational dysfunction.
statistic for the diagnosis of SZ?
the royal college of psychiatrist notes there was 220,000 people in England and Wales with SZ meaning 1 in 100 people suffer from SZ
who is likely to be affected from SZ?
people aged 15-35 and effects women and males equally.
3 types of SZ and explain them?
- paranoid SZ - delusions and hallucinations are present.
- disorganised SZ - disorganised speech and behaviour, affective flattening.
- catatonic SZ - psychomotor disturbances are evident
typical development of SZ?
- reactive phase - individual becomes eccentric or flat
- active phase - major symptoms and characteristics of SZ appear
- residual stage - returns to reactive stage after treatment
2 symptoms of SZ?
postive and negative (type 1 or type 2)
postive symptoms ?
(excess of normal functioning)
1. delusions - beliefs that are unreal, theres 2 types either someone who wants to harm you or a belief you are superior.
2. hallucinations - perceptions that are unreal, hearing sounds, feelings of different sensations.
negative symptoms?
(loss of normal functioning)
1. alogia - poverty of speech
2. avolition - unconcerned with the goings on in their surroundings.
3. affective flattening - reduction in emotional displays of expression.
