Introduction to Schizophrenia

Question 1

Define Schizophrenia

Answer 1

It is a psychotic disorder characterised by major disturbances of thought, emotion and behaviour, withdrawal from people and reality. It affects the way people think, feel and behave.

Question 2

What does psychotic mean?

Answer 2

The loss of touch to reality.

Question 3

Who is affected by schizophrenia?

Answer 3

It affects about 1% (equally between men and women), and the most common onset age is the mid-20s for men and 30s for women.

Question 4

What is a positive symptom? Give examples

Answer 4

Positive symptoms are additions to normal behaviour. For example hallucinations and delusions.

Question 5

What is a negative symptom? Give examples

Answer 5

Removal of normal behaviours. Eg, flattened emotion, low mood.

Question 6

What is type one and two?

Answer 6

Schizophrenia comes in two types- type one is consisting of mainly positive symptoms.
Type two is mostly negative symptoms.

Question 7

How is schizophrenia diagnosed?

Answer 7

There are 6 criteria for the diagnosis, and the patient must have a few of these:
A-They must show characteristics of it for at least a month. OR one characteristic if it is bizarre and damaging (delusions).
B-Social, occupational functioning below levels before the symptoms.
C-Continuous signs for six months.
D-No major changes in mood (depression).
E-No evidence of organic factors (drugs)
F-If there is a history of developmental disorder.