Schizophrenia Flashcards
Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder. When is the onset usually?
Early adulthood
What are some possible precipitating events for Schizophrenia?
Traumatic events
Cannabis use
Drugs and Alcohol
What are some possible prodromal (preceding) signs that may be present before Schizophrenia develops?
Cluster A personality disorder
LOW number of close friends and social activity participation
If the ____ symptoms are present, there will be a better prognosis
Positive symptoms
If the ____ symptoms are present, there will be a poor prognosis
Negative symptoms
In order to diagnose Schizophrenia, how long must the symptoms be present?
> 6 months
What are the Positive symptoms that can present with Schizophrenia?
Delusions
Hallucinations
Agitation
Catatonia
What are the Positive symptoms that can present with Schizophrenia?
Delusions
Hallucinations
Agitation
Catatonia
What type of affect can Schizophrenic patients have?
Flat or inappropriate affect
What are the Negative symptoms that can present with Schizophrenia?
Apathy
Social withdrawal
Affective flattening
Anhedonia (no pleasure)
What are the Negative symptoms that can present with Schizophrenia?
Apathy
Social withdrawal
Affective flattening
Anhedonia (no pleasure)
When listening to a Schizophrenic patient, there may be loosening of associations. What does that mean?
Absent connections among thoughts/ideas
– hard to follow what they are saying
When listening to a Schizophrenic patient, what types of speech/thought issues may they have?
Poverty of speech/content = very little talking
Thought blocking = interruption in patient’s speech
When listening to a Schizophrenic patient, what types of speech/thought issues may they have?
Poverty of speech/content = very little talking
Thought blocking = interruption in patient’s speech
Schizophrenia diagnosis is based on?
Clinical symptoms only
There are a higher number of Schizophrenia patients that were born when?
Winter/spring
– possible influenza prenatal infection?
There are many subtypes of Schizophrenia. The catatonic type has what type of symptoms?
Immobility or statue like posture/facial expression
What is the treatment that can help a Schizophrenic patient come out of a catatonic state?
Benzodiazepines
What 4 brain changes can be seen in the neurophysiology of a Schizophrenic patient?
- Decreased brain volume
- Decreased size of limbic system (hippocampus/amygdala)
- Prefrontal cortex changes
- Decreased size of Thalamus
What 4 brain changes can be seen in the neurophysiology of a Schizophrenic patient?
- Decreased brain volume
- Decreased size of limbic system (hippocampus/amygdala)
- Prefrontal cortex changes
- Decreased size of Thalamus
With the decreased brain volume in a Schizophrenic patient, what specific changes are seen?
Decreased symmetry
Enlarged lateral and 3rd ventricles
With the Positive symptoms of Schizophrenia, what neurotransmitter activity is INCREASED?
D2 (dopamine) activity is INCREASED
Besides increased dopamine activity, what 2 neurotransmitter alterations may be present with Schizophrenia?
Decreased GABA activity
NMDA receptor hypofunction
Are Schizophrenic patients more likely to commit homicide?
NO
– but take risk factors/signs seriously
What is the leading cause of death of a Schizophrenic patient?
Suicide
What is the leading cause of death in Schizophrenic patients?
Suicide
General pharmacology class used to treat Schizophrenics?
Antipsychotics
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizophrenia symptoms + major depressive episode/manic episode
Schizophrenia symptoms + a major depressive episode OR manic episode
Schizoaffective Disorder
Brief Psychotic Disorder
Presence of at least 1:
- Delusions/Hallucinations/Catatonia/Disorganized speech
With a Brief Psychotic Disorder, 1 symptom must be present for how long?
Greater than 1 day but NO LONGER THAN 1 month
How long may the Delusions/Hallucinations/Catatonia/or disorganized speech be present with a Brief Psychotic Disorder?
More than 1 day but LESS than 1 month
Will patients with Brief Psychotic Disorder return to premorbid level functioning?
YES
Schizophreniform
Meets criterion A, D, E for Schizophrenia
How long must the symptoms be present in order to diagnose Schizophreniform?
Greater than 1 month but LESS THAN 6 months
Schizophrenia for LESS than 6 months
Schizophreniform
What are good prognostic features for Schizophreniform?
Absence of flat affect
Confusion/perplexity at height of episode
Delusional Disorder
Delusions present for longer than 1 month
How long must the delusions be present with Delusional disorder?
Longer than 1 month
Besides delusions, are there any other functional impairments with Delusional Disorder?
NO
- NORMAL functioning and behavior
- – Never meets criteria for Schizophrenia
