Psychosis

Question 1

What is Psychosis?

Answer 1

Any Disorder so severe that the victim loses contact with reality

Question 2

List some examples of psychosis

Answer 2

• Schizophrenia,
• Bipolar disorder,
• Dissociative identity disorder,
• Schizoaffective disorders,
• Persistent delusional disorders

Question 3

When does the diagnosis of schizophrenia normally occur?

Answer 3

In men its early 20’s but in women it tends to be late 20’s

Question 4

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 4

• Pervasive thought disturbance,
• Difficulty in ignoring irrelevant stimuli (can’t keep thoughts on tract),
• Cognitive deficits,
• Withdrawal from personal contact,
• Delusions (based on external stimuli),
• Hallucinations (auditory hallucinations),
• Emotional disorder,
• Behavioural disruption (catatonic and disorganised).
  Symptoms tend to be episodic and patients have a lack of insight

Question 5

What are some cognitive deficits present in schizophrenia?

Answer 5

• Sustained attention,
• Planning,
• Verbal and visuo-spatial working memory,
• Language skills,
• Explicit learning and memory,
• Perceptual/motor processing

Question 6

What are the social symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 6

• People tend to have few early friends as people can have difficulty distinguishing between reality and fantasy.

Question 7

What are the potential risk factors for schizophrenia?

Answer 7

• Small genetic factor for having an increased risk,
• (PHYSIOLOGICAL) Dopamine-serotonin interaction hypothesis (potential other NTs involved are ACh, Glutamate and GABA)
• (CORICOSTRIATAL LOOP - ANATOMICAL) Lower global brain volume, larger ventricles was seen in MRI in person with schizophrenia
• Psychosocial factors such as social class, minority position, urban environment, family environment and cannabis use (potential).

Question 8

What are the treatments for schizophrenia?

Answer 8

• Drug therapies (antipsychotics), earlier treatment is better!,
• Psychological interventions (family intervention, CBT, social skills training)

Question 9

After the first psychotic episode, what treatment is recomended?

Answer 9

• Oral antipsychotic in conjunction with psychological intervention. From thereout continue the treatment and care, important to monitor physical health.

Question 10

What are the outcomes for patients with schizophrenia?

Answer 10

• 30% independent,
• 50% are relatively dependant,
• 20% are highly dependant