Psychosis and schizophrenia Flashcards
What is the prodromal period prior to psychosis characterised by
Transient, low-intensity psychotic symptoms
Reduced interest in daily activities
Problems with mood, sleep, memory, concentration, communication, affect, motivation
Anxiety, irritability or depressive features
Incoherent or illogical speech
Hallmark symptoms of psychotic illness
Delusions
Hallucinations
Thought disorder
Lack of insight
First rank symptoms
Lack of insight Auditory hallucinations Thought insertion Thought broadcasting Delusional perceptions External control of emotions Somatic passivity
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia
Under activity - which also affects speech Low motivation Social withdrawal Emotional flattening Self-neglect
Typical appearance and behaviour in an individual with schizophrenia
Withdrawal, suspicion, or(rarely) stereotypical behaviours and mannerisms
Typical speech in schizophrenia
Interruptions to the flow of thought(thought blocking), loosening of associations/loss of normal thought structure(knight’s move thinking)
Typical mood/affect in schizophrenia
Flattened, incongruous or ‘odd’
Organic disorders which may give rise to psychotic symptoms
Drug-induced psychosis Temporal lobe epilepsy Encephalitis Alcoholic hallucinosis Dementia Delirium Cerebral syphilis
Management of someone at risk of psychosis in primary care
Determine the level of risk to the person
Assess the person’s risk of unintentional harm to themselves
Determine risk of harms to others
Social factors in management of schizophrenia
Rates of homelessness, poverty and economic deprivation are increased in psychosis
Use of recovery action plan should be promoted
Features of psychological support for schizophrenia and psychosis
Education
Voluntary organisations and support groups
Family therapy
CBT
Art therapy for alleviation of negative symptoms
First-line pharmacological treatment for schizophrenia
Atypical antipsychotics eg. risperidone and olanzapine
When should depot formulations be considered
If patient prefers it after an acute episode or if there is non-compliance with medication
When is clozapine advised for management of schizophrenia
If symptoms have not responded to adequate doses of at least two different antipsychotics used sequentially for 6-8 weeks
When is ECT advised in management of schizophrenia
May be appropriate in patients resistant to pharmacological therapy
Which medications can cause psychosis
Adrenergic agents Anticholinergic(antihistamines) Benzodiazepines Corticosteroids Dopamine agonists