Schizophrenia

Question 1

What are positive symptoms?

Answer 1

Additional experiences beyond ordinary existence.

Question 2

What are two examples of positive symptoms?

Answer 2

Hallucinations.
Delusions.

Question 3

Define hallucinations.

Answer 3

Unusual sensory experiences.

Question 4

Give an example of hallucinations.

Answer 4

Hearing and seeing things not there.

Question 5

Give an example of delusions.

Answer 5

Others are trying to hurt them.

Question 6

Define negative symptoms.

Answer 6

Loss of usual abilities.

Question 7

Give 2 examples of negative symptoms.

Answer 7

Avolition.
Speech poverty.

Question 8

Define avolition.

Answer 8

Lack of motivation to begin or keep up with goal directed activity.

Question 9

What is speech poverty?

Answer 9

Changes in speech patterns.
Reductionism in amount of or quality of speech.

Question 10

What is the criteria in the DSM for a diagnosis?

Answer 10

At least 2 symptoms of 5 must be present.
At least 1 of 3 key must be present.

Question 11

What are the key symptoms in the DSM?

Answer 11

Positive symptoms.

Question 12

What are the requirements in the ICD for a diagnosis?

Answer 12

2 or more negative symptoms.

Question 13

Define reliability.

Answer 13

Consistency.

Question 14

What is reliability in the context of Sz?

Answer 14

Inter rater reliability - consistency across psychiatrists.

Question 15

How do you achieve inter rater reliability?

Answer 15

Psychiatrists reach same diagnosis independently.

Question 16

What does validity refer to?

Answer 16

Accuracy.
Measuring what we intend to measure.

Question 17

Explain how CBT is used to treat Sz?

Answer 17

Identify and challenge irrational thoughts (delusions).
Positive self talk enables them to counter what the negative voices say.
Overall aim to reduce distress and improve functioning.

Question 18

Explain how CBT can be time consuming.

Answer 18

Time consuming - requires lots of time and effort from patients, may not be suitable for Sz patients as many suffer from avolition or depression.

Question 19

Why may CBT not be suitable for all patients?

Answer 19

Patients may not be able to discuss symptoms - may suffer from speech poverty as part of disorder.

Question 20

How does CBT compare to drug therapy?

Answer 20

Drugs loads cheaper and require less effort therefore patients may prefer drugs over extensive therapy.

Question 21

What is the aim of family therapy?

Answer 21

Provide support for careers to make family life less stressful in hopes of reducing Sz relapses.

Question 22

What things are done during family therapy to improve stress?

Answer 22

Improve understanding of the illness.
Improve patterns of communication - reduced double binds and expressed emotion.
Reducing anger and guilt.

Question 23

Explain one advantage of family therapy.

Answer 23

Evidence to support use.
McFarland found it reduced relapse rates by 50-60%.
May be motivating for families to get involved/more likely to want to participate.

Question 24

Explain one disadvantage of family therapy of a treatment for Sz.

Answer 24

Lots of time and effort required.
Can be challenging for all members to commit e.g. work.
Some may find it to be ineffective or just not able to find time.

Question 25

What are token economies?

Answer 25

Operant conditioning.
Reward with tokens for good behaviour - positive reinforcement.
Tokens exchanged for rewards.

Question 26

Explain how token economies may be unethical.

Answer 26

Discriminates against people too ill to participate.
Therefore may not motivate them to improve symptoms.

Question 27

Explain why token economies may only be a short term solution.

Answer 27

Effectiveness not long term.
When patients in outside world they don’t receive rewards - may revert back to old habits.
Effects may only be temporary.