Classification of Schizophrenia Flashcards
What is schizophrenia?
A psychotic disorder that impairs contact with reality and insight. It affects thought processes and ability to determine reality
What are positive symptoms of SZ?
- Focus on displaying behaviour that show a concerning loss of touch with reality. These occur in acute, short episodes with normal episodes in between.
- These symptoms reflect an excess of normal function
What are negative symptoms of SZ?
- Focus on displaying behaviours that show a concerning disruption of normal emotions and actions. These occur in longer-lasting episodes and may not be able to function effectively in society
- These symptoms reflect a reduction of normal function
State the positive symptoms of SZ
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganised speech/thinking
- Grossly disorganised behaviour
- Catatonic behaviour
Describe delusions as a positive symptom of SZ
- Firmly held beliefs due to distortions of reason and/or misinterpretations of perceptions or experiences.
- Delusions of being followed and beliefs that radio or TV programs are directing messages to them are common
Describe hallucinations as a positive symptom of SZ
Distortions or exaggerations of perception in any of the senses, but auditory hallucinations are the most common, then visual hallucinations
Describe disorganised speech/thinking as a positive symptom of SZ
A result of abnormal thought processes, where the individual has problems organising their thoughts which shows in their speech
Describe grossly disorganised behaviour as a positive symptom of SZ
Includes difficulty in goal-directed behaviour (leads to difficulties in daily activities like personal hygiene), unpredictable agitation, social disinhibition or behaviours that looks bizarre
Describe catatonic behaviours as a positive symptom of SZ
Charcterised by a marked decrease in reaction to the immediate surrounding environment, sometimes being motionless unawareness or aimless excess motor activity
State the negative symptoms of SZ
- Alogia
- Affective flattening
- Avolition
Describe alogia as a negative symptom of SZ
It’s poverty of speech which is the lessening of speech fluency and productivity, reflect slowing thoughts, often manifested as short, empty replies to question
Describe affective flattening as a negative symptom of SZ
The reduction in the range and intensity of emotional expression, including facial expression, eye contact and body language
Describe avolition as a negative symptom of SZ
The reduction, difficulty or inability to initiate and persist in goal-directed behaviour, often mistaken for apparent disinterest
