Disorder 2: Schizophrenia

Question 1

Name the three positive symptoms of Schizophrenia?

Answer 1

Hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, ideas of reference

Question 2

Name five negative symptoms of Schizophrenia?

Answer 2

Apathy, social withdrawal, anhedonia, emotional blunting, cognitive deficits, extreme inattentiveness or lack of motivation to interact with the environment

These symptoms are progressive and non-responsive to medication

Question 3

Name three cognitive symptoms of Schizophrenia?

Answer 3

Poor “executive functioning” (the ability to understand information and to make decisions)

Difficulty in focussing or paying attention

Problems with “working memory” (the ability to use information immediately after learning it)

Question 4

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) patients must be experiencing at least two symptoms. What are these symptoms?

Answer 4

Delusions
Hallucinations 
Disorganised speech 
Disorganised or catatonic behaviour 
Negative symptoms

Question 5

At least how long must the continuous signs of disturbance be present for?

Answer 5

6 months. The patient must also experience at least 1 month of active symptoms

Question 6

What is Schizophrenia?

Answer 6

A chronic mental disorder involving a breakdown in the relation between thought, emotion, and behaviour, leading to faulty perception, inappropriate actions and feelings, withdrawal from reality and personal relationships into fantasy and delusion and a sense of mental fragmentation.
The disorder is characterised by a divorcement from reality in the mind of the person (psychosis).