Schizophrenia Flashcards
what is a hallucination
perceived in absence of stimuli
what is a delusion
fixed false beliefs that no amount of proof to the contrary will alter
what is schizophrenia characterised by
range of cognitive, emotional and behavioural problems
- symptoms are classified into positive and negative
what are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia
- hallucinations, delusions
- disorganised speech/formal thought disorder
- disordered/catatonic behaviour
what are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia
relate to loss of normal functions
- flattening or blunting of affect
- alogia (Reduced production of speech)
- emotional apathy
- social withdrawal
- lack of motiviation
- loss of pleasure
how is schizophrenia diagnosed
at least 1 of the following 3 domains for a duration of 1 months
1. positive symptoms
2. negative symptoms
3. reduced social functioning
describe the aetiology of schizophrenia
heterogenous
give examples of putative causes of schizophrenia
- genetic disorders
- neurodevelopment problems
- neurochemical imbalances (drug misuse)
- pyschosocial stressors
- influenced by psychosocial environment of individual
describe the prevelence of schizophrenia
ranges between 0.015-0.1%
- peak incidence of onset in males 15-25 years
- females 25-35 years
- cumulated risks for development are equal in men and women
describe the prognosis of schizophrenia
- most common presentation is an initial acute epidote with florid positive symptoms followed by the emergence and persistence of negative symptoms
- 20% of patients recover fully
- 70% have relapsing/remitting disease
- 10% seriously disabled by disease
outline the symptoms presenting in the acute phase
- lack of insight
- auditory hallucinations
- ideas for reference
- suspiciousness
- flattening of affect
- voices speaking to patient
- delusional mood
- delusions of persecution
- thoughts spoken aloud
describe the management of schizophrenia
- needs to be holistic for optimal response to ensure best prognosis
- following components should be addressed
- psychological
- social
- emotional - pharmacological management should be considered as a 1st line intervention in all cases
describe the use of antipsychotics in schizophrenia
- response after 2-4 weeks
- equal efficacy against positive symptoms
- second generation antipsychotics initially thought to show greater efficacy against negative symptoms
- clozapine is the only antipsychotic licensed for treatment resistant illness
describe the dopamine theory
- increased dopaminergic neurotransmission is a pathogenic factor of schizophrenia
what does dopamine blockade lead to
- antipsychotic effect
- extrapyramidal side effects in striatum
- parkinsonism
- dystonia
- akathisia - risk factor for tardive dyskinesia
- hyperprolactinaemia in hypothalamus