Schizophrenia Flashcards
Positive symptoms
Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized Speech
Grossly disorganized/catatonic behavior
Negative Symptoms
Blunted affect
Alogia
Avolition
Anhedonia
Asociality
Delusions
fixed, false beliefs generally outside of the cultural or societal norms
Hallucinations
a sensory perception with no basis in external stimulation
Disorganized speech
frequent derailment or loose associations (constantly moving from one topic to another), tangentiality, incoherence, or repetition of words
Grossly disorganized/catatonic behavior
may range from silliness to catatonia to purposelessness movement to agitation
Blunted affect
emotional blunting or difficulty expressing emotion
Alogia
inability to speak
Avolition
lack of desire or motivation to pursue self-initiated goals
Anhedonia
inability to experience pleasurable emotions
Asociality
inability or unwillingness to participate in normal social situations
Schizophrenia DSM 5 diagnosis
> 2 symptoms (positive, negative, cognitive) must be present for a significant percent of time during a 1 month period (less if successfully treated)
1 symptom must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech
1 areas of function (work, relationships, self-care)
lasting at least 6 months
Etiology
No known causes
May have genetic link
Onset
May be abrupt or insidious; late teens-mid 30s
Mesocortical
Function: cognitive, social, emotions, stress response
Low DA –> negative sx and cognitive sx
(Tx: worsens negative sx)
Mesolimbic
Function: arousal, stimulus processing, reward, memory
Excess DA –> positive sx
(Tx: relief of positive sx)
Nigrostriatal
Function: movement
Normal DA –> no dysfunction
(Tx: extrapyramidal sx)
Tuberoinfundibular
Function: regulates prolactin
Normal DA –> no dysfunction
(Tx: hyperprolactinemia)
Acute phase
decrease Threat to self/others
decrease Symptoms
Agitation
Hostility
Anxiety
Abnormal sleep
Develop treatment plan
1-2 weeks
Stabilization
Prevent relapse
decrease Symptoms
Positive/negative/ cognitive
Optimize med regimen
Dose/adverse effects
Monitoring
Adherence
3-4 weeks
Maintenance
Prevent relapse
- increase Functioning
- increase QoL
- Monitoring
Prodromal symptoms
Adverse effects
Adherence
lifelong
Maintenance
Prevent relapse
- increase Functioning
- increase QoL
- Monitoring
Prodromal symptoms
Adverse effects
Adherence
lifelong
Non-pharm therapy
ACT
cognitive remediation
Family pychoeducation
illness self-management training
supported employment
First Gen Antipsychotics (FGA)
acute agititation/deliruim
Tourette’s syndrome FGA
Haloperidol, pimozide
Nausea/vomiting FGA
Chlorpromazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine
intractable hiccups FGA
Chlorpromazine
FGA MOA
blockade of DA2 receptors in the mesolimbic area and mesocortical area of the brain
FGA dosing general
Onset is within a few days, may begin to respond within a few weeks, full benefit in 4-6 weeks
Discontinuation should be a slow taper over several weeks to months
FGA dosing Acute treatment
Increase dose until behavior improves or adverse effects limit dose
IM/IV formulations are 2-4 x more potent and should only be used in acute settings
extrapyramidal symptoms
Most common with high-potency FGAs, especially at high doses
Onset: within 2-3 weeks of starting treatment or dose increase (except for tardive dyskinesia)
Pseudoparkinsonism
Tremor (at rest), bradykinesia, shuffling gate, masked facies, stooped posture
Reversible: dose decrease or add anticholinergic agent (e.g. benztropine)
Akathisia
Subjective report of “inner restlessness;” pacing; unable to stay still
Reversible: dose decrease or switch antipsychotic, add propranolol or anticholinergic
Acute dystonia
Spastic involuntary muscle contractions; usually within 24-96 hours dose change
Moderate/severe: (IV or IM) benztropine 1-2mg or diphenhydramine 25-50mg
Mild: (PO) benztropine 1-2mg daily or twice daily
Tardive Dyskinesia symptoms
Myoclonic jerks, tics, chorea, dystonia
Often involving the face/mouth
More likely to occur after long-term antipsychotic treatment (months-years)
Potentially irreversible
Tardive Dyskinesia Risk
Long-term, high-dose, high-potency FGA
Older age, female sex
Tardive Dyskinesia Monitoring
AIMS or DISCUS
Every 6 months (FGA) or 12 months (SGA)
Tardive Dyskinesia Treatment
Discontinue antipsychotic and switch to one with lower risk (limited evidence showing this improves symptoms)
VMAT2 inhibitor