SCHIZOPHRENIA Flashcards
What is schizophrenia?
Answer: Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder characterized by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, and abnormal behavior.
What are the common causes of schizophrenia?
Answer: The exact cause of schizophrenia is not known, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, as well as imbalances in certain neurotransmitters.
What is the prevalence of schizophrenia in society?
Answer: Schizophrenia affects an estimated 0.3-0.7% of people worldwide and often first appears in late adolescence or early adulthood.
What are the common signs and symptoms of schizophrenia?
Answer: Common symptoms of schizophrenia can include hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, abnormal behavior, and difficulty with motivation and emotional expression.
What is the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia?
Answer: Antipsychotic medications are the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia.
What is the recommended first-line treatment for schizophrenia according to UK guidelines?
Answer: Atypical antipsychotics are the recommended first-line treatment for schizophrenia. Examples include risperidone (Risperdal), olanzapine (Zyprexa), and quetiapine (Seroquel).
How do atypical antipsychotics work?
Answer: Atypical antipsychotics work by blocking dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain, which can help to reduce the positive symptoms of schizophrenia and improve negative symptoms.
When are typical antipsychotics used in the treatment of schizophrenia?
Answer: Typical antipsychotics are used as a second-line treatment for schizophrenia when atypical antipsychotics are not effective or not tolerated.
How do typical antipsychotics work?
Answer: Typical antipsychotics work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which can help to reduce the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
What are some examples of typical antipsychotics?
Answer: Examples of typical antipsychotics include chlorpromazine (Thorazine) and haloperidol (Haldol).
