Lecture 7

Question 1

Hallucinations are considered a ___ symptom of schizophrenia

Answer 1

positive

Question 2

define psychopathy

Answer 2

mental disorder especially when marked by egocentric and antisocial activity, a lack of remorse for one’s actions, an absence of empathy for others, and often criminal tendencies

Question 3

define psychosis

Answer 3

• mental state characterized by a profound disturbance in thinking
• difficulty distinguishing between most people’s “reality” and their own perception of the world
• a central feature of schizophrenia, and seen as one of the most debilitating aspects of mental illness

Question 4

what does psychosis involve

Answer 4

may involve:
- hearing a voice others cannot hear
- believing something that others would think impossible
- difficulty navigating daily life due to these altered perceptions

• Is a part of bipolar disorder, severe forms of depression, schizoaffective disorder (blend of schizophrenia and mood disorders), delusional disorder (delusions similar to schizophrenia but not other typical characteristics)

Question 5

What is the most common form of hallucinations in schizophrenia

Answer 5

• auditory

Question 6

What are the 3 categories of symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 6

• Positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions)
• Negative Symptoms
• Symptoms related to “disorganization” (speech/cognition)

Question 7

explain positive and negative symptoms

Answer 7

• “Positive” and “negative” do not refer to a value/moral judgment
• Positive symptoms: experiencing new or additional mental phenomena
• Negative symptoms: existing behaviours or feelings decline or disappear

Question 8

define hallucination

Answer 8

• a sensory experience that occurs without any clear stimulus
• most common form of hallucinations in schizophrenia are auditory (hearing sounds
  or voices)
• Common forms: voices providing running commentary on actions, issuing instructions, insulting or degrading language, personal attacks- but may also be calming/inspiring

Other hallucinations could be seeing things, feeling sensations on the skin (insects), or even smell or taste- or multiple senses
* Although many hallucinations are experienced as frightening or unpleasant, not all people report this- may be comforting (soothing or calming sounds or smells)

Question 9

define delusion

Answer 9

• holding a belief that most others consider impossible or highly unlikely
• For example: possessing superpowers, being followed by foreign spies
• Delusions are described as being “irrational” or false beliefs, as a person continues to hold them even if presented with evidence to indicate they are untrue

Question 10

What are some forms delusions cna take?

Answer 10

• persecutory delusion
• grandiose delusion
• delusions related to control
• delusions of reference

Question 11

explain persecutory delusions

Answer 11

a person believes that others are “out to get them”, or that they are being targeted for mistreatment

Question 12

explain grandiose delusions

Answer 12

the person believes themselves to be in a position of great power, such as a deity, celebrity, or a head of government

Question 13

explain delusions related to control

Answer 13

a person may believe that an external force is controlling their thoughts or body, or that thoughts are being implanted or broadcast aloud

Question 14

explain delusions of reference

Answer 14

believing that they are being communicated with in code (receiving secret hidden messages; e.g., through magazine or politician’s gestures during broadcasted speech)

Question 15

what are other forms of delusion that are more common or less unusual?

Answer 15

• obsessive beliefs
• erotomanic delusions
• delusions of guilt
• somatic delusions

Question 16

explain obsessive beliefs

Answer 16

perhaps thinking that partner is having an affair, without evidence

Question 17

explain erotomanic delusion

Answer 17

believing that a stranger or celebrity is in love with them

Question 18

explain delusions of guilt

Answer 18

deeply held belief that they have caused harm to others, when
they have not

Question 19

explain somatic delusions

Answer 19

believing that they have a bodily malfunction or terrible illness, without evidence of this

Question 20

review delusions:

Answer 20

• Delusions need to be considered in the context of cultural norms, as well as nature of beliefs, and intensity
• Belief that the government is tracking your activities online could be seen as a paranoid or persecutory delusion- but this belief may not be unfounded
• In reality, we have seen evidence of massive surveillance programs involving telecommunications and technology
• Therefore, the evaluation of what constitutes “delusional” belief requires clinical judgment

Question 21

what is a core component of schizophrenia and what may they include?

Answer 21

• unusual or disorganized speech patterns

These may include:
* Switching topics suddenly and frequently
* Using the same word repeatedly, may be because it holds special meaning to them
* Non-responsive or unproductive answers to questions

Question 22

review this about negative symptoms

Answer 22

Relate to feelings and behaviours that are described as “deficits” in “normal behaviour” (emotional and affective engagement):
* “blunted affect” – less expressive tone of voice / facial expressions
* Reduced speech with short responses, little elaboration
* Or increased speech, but repetitive, with “poverty of content” (lack of meaningful concepts in their communication)

• These symptoms may be more debilitating and limiting than positive symptoms
  ◦ Seen as being chronic or persistent (present for years), while positive symptoms are thought to be episodic

Question 23

give 3 examples of negative symptoms

Answer 23

• avolition
• changes in social behaviour
• anhedonia

Question 24

explain avolition

Answer 24

lack of drive, difficulty taking initiative to engage in routine tasks (including activities of daily living, eating/bathing)

Question 25

explain changes in social behaviour

Answer 25

especially increased isolation, perhaps due to desiring to be alone or difficulty in maintaining relationships stemming from symptoms

Question 26

explain anhedonia

Answer 26

inability to experience pleasure, a change in one’s sense of enjoyment (things are no longer pleasurable) [may also be a symptom of depression]

Question 27

What do some researchers believe disturbances in cognition are?

Answer 27

• believe that they are the primary hallmark of schizophrenia, rather than psychosis