Classification and symptoms of schizophrenia Flashcards
What is schizophrenia
A psychotic disorder where contact with reality and insight are impaired, and is a split between cognition and emotion
How many people does schizophrenia affect
1% of the population, onset in males - mid 20s, females - early 30s
What did Bleuler conduct
Longitudinal study of 2000 schizophrenics
What did Bleuler find
Schizophrenia has poor predictive validity. 40% of individuals recover from positive symptoms, 20% can make a full recovery if diagnosed early, 40% suffer from symptoms and distress for the rest of their life
What are some statistics of schizophrenia
220,000 people are treated for schizophrenia in the uk at any one time.
they have higher risk of developing preventable physical diseases such as CVD, metabolic disease and infections.
the incidence of schizophrenia is 2-3x higher in males.
In the UK, only about 13% of people with schizophrenia work.
Some studies have estimated up to 10% of rough sleepers in the UK have schizophrenia.
More than 69% of people with schizophrenia are not receiving appropriate care
What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia
Hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thinking and speech
What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Speech poverty, lack of emotion, avolition, apathy
What is hallucinations as a positive symptom of schizophrenia
False sensations that have no identifiable source. Can be hearing voices, seeing people, phantom odours and sensations of being touched
What is delusions as a positive symptom of schizophrenia
False beliefs not based on fact/evidence. Persecution (victimised) and grandeur (high self importance) and control (thoughts/actions being controlled by others
What is disorganised thinking and speech as a positive symptom of schizophrenia
Hard to concentrate anything. Thoughts drift between each other despite no connection. Words may also become jumbled or hard to understand.
Comes as insertions (Thoughts are inserted into their own mind)
Withdrawals (Thoughts are being removed from their own mind)
Broadcasts (Thoughts are being transmitted to others)
What is speech poverty (alogia) as a negative symptom of schizophrenia
Reduction in communication, as a result of slow/blocked thoughts. Often find it hard to speak to people/start conversations
What is lack of emotion (flat effect) as a negative symptom of schizophrenia
A reduction or flattening of emotions. Range/intensity of facial expressions and tone of voice/eye contact are reduced. Body language is difficult to interpret
What is avolition (social withdrawal) as a negative symptom of schizophrenia
Lack of motivation. Neglecting chores and hygiene, swell as very low sex drive
What is apathy as a negative symptom of schizophrenia
Difficulty planning and setting goals. No interest in socialising or hobbies, sit in room for hours/days
How are positive symptoms of schizophrenia defined
When a behaviour is present that is not normally present
How are negative symptoms of schizophrenia defined
When a behaviour is missing that we would usually expect to be displayed
What is the inappropriate effect as a symptom schizophrenia
Lacks ability to normally react emotionally to a situation. This is due to hallucinations or delusions, and assumptions about reasons for the actions of others
What does system overlap (shared symptoms between disorders) lead to, with examples
Could lead to invalid diagnosis, as eliciting symptoms of schizophrenia, but could possess a different disorder with the same symptom. E.g
Delusions - Schiz and bipolar
Hallucinations - Schiz and PTSD
Attention difficulties - Schiz and ADHD
Avolition - Schiz and depression
What is comorbidity
Occurrence of two illnesses or conditions together
What are some examples of comorbidity in schizophrenia
Schiz and depression = 50%
Schiz and PTSD = 29%
Schiz and OCD = 23%
What does it take to be diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the DSM V
A) Two or more of the following for at least 1 month:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganised speech
- Grossly disorganised or catatonic behaviour
- Negative symptoms
B) Social / occupational dysfunction - Impairment to major area of functioning e.g work
C) Duration - Some signs must last at least 6 months, which must include at least 1 month of symptoms
D) Schizoaffective and mood disorder exclusion - Both ruled out as can’t be experienced at same time as category A symptoms
E) Exclusion of known organic causes - Not caused by effects of another substance or condition
F) Relationship to autistic spectrum disorder (if any) - If there is autistic / communication disorder history delusions, hallucinations and other symptoms must be present for at least 1 month to be diagnosed
