Schizophrenia Flashcards
describe two positive symptoms of Sz
-delusions which are bizarre beliefs
- hallucinations which are unreal perceptions of the environment
- disorganised speech
- disorganised behaviour
describe two negative symptoms of Sz
- speech poverty
- avolition
- affective flattening
- anhedonia
define reliability
refers to the consistency of a measure as in the same data should be produced by a measurement if it is taken on successive occasions
define validity
refers to the accuracy of a measurement- whether or not an observed effect is genuine
in relation to biological explanations for Sz, explain what is meant by neural correlates
change in neuronal events and mechanisms that result in the characteristic symptoms of a disorder which in the case of Sz may be damaged connections between the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex
outline dopamine hypothesis as an explanation of Sz
when the neurotransmitter dopamine is in excess in regions of the brain, positive symptoms of Sz can be observed
define the double bind theory
refers to receiving contradictory information from a family member such as being told they love them whilst sneering at them
define expressed emotions
refers to a family style in which there may be overinvolvment in a child’s life and a poor style of communication
explain how high EE environment can lead to Sz
suggests that receiving contradictory information, renders an individual unable to respond to future information causing cognitive symptoms of Sz
how does cognitive approach explain hallucinations
experience hyper vigilance due to an excessive focus on auditory stimuli
how does the cognitive approach explain delusions
suggests during formation of delusions patients have their interpretations of their experiences controlled by inadequate processing of information
why are atypical antipsychotics preferred to typical antipsychotics
atypical carry lower risks of extrapyramidal side effects and are believed to have an impact on reducing negative symptoms as well as positive ones. these are suitable for treatment resistant patients
why do atypical antipsychotics run the risk of fewer side effects
they do not only block D2 receptors but have stronger affinity for serotonin receptors and a lower affinity for D2 receptors which is believed to reduce the risk of side effects
how do antipsychotics work
they are dopamine antagonist which are substances that decrease the activity of dopamine by blocking dopamine receptors
why are drug therapies preferred to other therapies
effective
cheap
require less effort on the part of patient and increases the chance of them persisting in the treatment
what is meant by token economy
desirable behaviours are encouraged by the use of reinforcements. rewards are given I exchange for tokens earned when desirable behaviours are performed
why is token economies considered unethical
psychiatrists have control over food and other things that act as primary reinforcers
contradicts the notion that all humans have the right to things like privacy and food without having to earn them
outline interactionist approach to Sz
this is a compromise explanation that suggests Sz develops in individuals who have genetic vulnerability following an activating event
define symptom overlap
refers to the fact that some symptoms may not be unique to one disorder but rather shared amongst many disorders
define co morbidity
refers to the extent which two or more conditions occur simultaneously in a patient
Cheniaux et al
two psychiatrists diagnosed 100 clients using either DSM 5 or ICD-10 and both diagnosed different amounts of clients showing schizophrenia is either over diagnosed or under diagnosed depending on diagnosis system used therefore decreases criterion validity
Osorio et al
found high reliability in diagnosis of schizophrenia in 180 people using DSM 5. pairs of interviewers achieved inter rater reliability of +0.97 and test retest reliability of +0.92 therefore diagnosis of schizophrenia is consistently reasonable.
inter rater reliability
different clinicians reach the same diagnosis= high tier rater reliability
test retest reliability
same clinicians, patient and diagnosis on 2 different occasions= high test retest reliability
