Schizophrenia Flashcards
What is the medical umbrella schizophrenia falls under?
Major psychoses
Why is schizophrenia the most important major psychosis?
Early onset, prevalence and how disabling and chronic it is
What is schizophrenia (generally)?
A mental state out of touch with reality
Abnormalities of perception, thoughts and ideas
Profound alterations in behaviour
What is the prevalence of schizophrenia?
1% of the population
What is the difference between men and women’s schizophrenia symptoms?
Men onset at a younger age,
Have a higher propensity for negative symptoms,
Lower social functioning
Co-morbid substance abuse
What phase may a schizophrenic go through in their late teenage years before the onset of symptoms?
Social isolation, withdrawal and an interest in fringe cults
What are the positive schizophrenia symptoms?
Hallucinations
Delusions
Disorganised thought/speech
Movement disorders
What are the negative schizophrenia symptoms?
Social withdrawal Anhedonia Lack of motivation Poverty of speech Emotional flatness
What are some cognitive schizophrenia symptoms?
Impaired working memory, attention and comprehension
What has to be present to be classed as schizophrenia?
Two or more symptoms for at least six months
What is anhedonia?
Lack of pleasure
What are hallucinations?
Perception experienced without stimulus
What type of hallucinations happen most commonly in schizophrenics?
Auditory
What happens in auditory hallucinations?
Patient hears voices talking about them/ to them, giving a running commentary or echoing their thoughts
What is a delusion?
Fixed/ unshakeable belief that is not consistent with cultural/ social norms
What is a state of catatonia?
Motionless, mute, expressionless, uncomfortable or contorted postures
What is a state of cataplexy?
Sudden loss of muscle control
What are some motor, volitional and behavioural disorders associated with schizophrenia?
Purposeless, repetitive acts, altered facial expression, cataplexy, catatonia, Extreme hyperactivity and impulsive behaviours
What is a formal thought disorder?
Disorder in conceptual thinking
What is formal thought disorder reflected in?
Speech that is difficult to understand and rapid shifts from one subject to another
What are some cognitive deficits shown by schizophrenics?
Selective attention, problem solving and memory
What affect do cognitive deficits have?
Decreased responsiveness to emotional issues and expression of emotion being inappropriate to the situation
What does it mean that schizophrenics have a lack of insight?
Patients don’t normally accept that anything is wrong or that treatment is necessary
What is the chance an identical twin will be diagnosed with schizophrenia if the other is?
50%
