Option 2: Schizophrenia

Question 1

what is schizophrenia?

Answer 1

a mental disorder characterised by disruption of cognition and emotion.
it manifests through a person’s sense of self, actions, thoughts, perceptions and language.

Question 2

what diagnostic tools are used to diagnose schizophrenia (Sz)?

Answer 2

usually the DSM-V

Question 3

what clinical symptoms are sought out to diagnose Sz?

Answer 3

delusion
hallucinations
disorganised speech (e.g frequent derailment, incoherence)
grossly disorganised (catatonic behaviour)
negative symptoms (e.g alogia, avolition, affective flattering)

Question 4

how many symptoms of Sz are needed to diagnose Sz?

Answer 4

two or more

Question 5

what is the exception in the amount of symptoms needed to diagnose Sz?

Answer 5

only one symptom needed if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of running commentary or conversations.

Question 6

what are positive symptoms?

Answer 6

these ‘add’ or distort normal functions

Question 7

what are negative symptoms?

Answer 7

these ‘take away’ or indicate a loss of normal functioning.

Question 8

explain hallucinations as a positive symptom.

Answer 8

• it is a sensory malfunction, meaning you perceive the environment incorrectly.
• usually hearing voices, but can also be seeing things, smelling or even feeling things that aren’t there.
• hearing voices takes on several forms; running commentary, discussion of patient, voices from another part of the body.

Question 9

explain delusions as a positive symptom.

Answer 9

• these are bizarre beliefs, rather than perceptions. for example, paranoid delusions (fear of being watched, persecution, etc.)
• there are also delusions of reference; believing secret messages meant just for them.
• as well as delusions of grandeur; inflated self importance.

Question 10

explain disorganised speech as a negative symptom.

Answer 10

• this is where abnormal thought processes lead to disorganised thoughts, which in turn affect speech.
• on the topic of derailment this is slipping from one topic to another, often in mid sentence.
• basically a ‘word salad’- gibberish.

Question 11

explain grossly disorganised as a negative symptom.

Answer 11

• where you can’t start or complete a task due to a lack of focus or motivation.
• it can lead to poor functioning e.g hygiene, clothing etc.
• in regards to catatonic behaviour there is reduced response to immediate environment, rigid posture or aimless repeated motor activity.

Question 12

explain speech poverty (alogia) as a negative symptom.

Answer 12

• these are slowed/blocked thoughts which lead to lessened speech fluency and productivity.
• most likely to be poorer at speech tasks, e.g ‘name as many…in a minute’
• there is often simplified speech as well.

Question 13

explain avolition as a negative symptom.

Answer 13

• less interest in or desire for things
• the inability to begin any meaningful behaviour — sit around doing nothing.

Question 14

explain affective flattening as a negative symptom.

Answer 14

• emotions are dulled — poorer emotive language use, body language, tone, etc.

Question 15

explain anhedonia as a negative symptom.

Answer 15

• loss of interest/pleasure in most/all activities. e.g physical = food, intimacy + social= interacting with others

Question 16

what is diagnostic reliability?

Answer 16

diagnostic reliability means that a diagnosis of schizophrenia (Sz) must be repeatable, i.e clinicians must be able to reach the same conclusions at two different points in time (test-retest reliability), or different clinicians must reach the same conclusions (inter-rater reliability).