Schizophrenia Flashcards
What is the definition of schizophrenia?
A severe mental disorder characterised by disruption of cognitive and emotional functioning. It effects language, thoughts, perception and sense of self. The individual may hear voices and see visions.
What are some causes of schizophrenia?
1) genetics
2) brain damage
3) drugs and alcohol
4) childhood trauma
What is type 1 acute schizophrenia?
Obvious positive symptoms appear suddenly usually after stressful events
What is type 2 chronic schizophrenia?
The illness takes many years to form and gradual chnages of increased distrurbance and withdrawal occur. Characterised by negative symptoms.
What are the two manuals that diagnose schizophrenia?
ICD-10- produced by world health organisation and focuses on subtypes of schizophrenia
DSM-V- subtypes of schizophrenia were removed
What is the DSM-V criteria for schizophrenia?
A- need 2 or more of the following (delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech, grossly disorganised/ catatonic behaviour, negative symptoms eg flattening/avolition)
B- since the onset of schizophrenia, one or more areas of functioning will be negatively affected eg work or interpersonal life.
C- continuous signs of disturbance will be present for 6 months or more. Symptoms from criteria a have been present for at least 1 month.
What is the meaning of positive symptoms?
This refers to excesses or symptoms that have been added to the patinet’s personality because they now have the illness of schizophrenia. These symptoms were not present when the person was healthy eg hallucinations and delusions.
What is the meaning of negative symptoms?
This refers to loss of normal functioning. The person will have a weakened ability to cope and manage everyday life. They lose the ability to do certain things eg speech poverty.
What are some positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
1) hallucinations - these can be auditory, visual, olfactory or tactile. They may see or hear things that do not actually exist.
2) delusions- they have a strong belief about something even though it’s based on mistaken and unrealistic views.
3) disorganised speech- the individual may make up random words or string random words together in a sentence that don’t make any sense.
4) catatonic behaviour- the patient have reduced reactions to environmental stimuli and can adopt rigid postures and standing completely still for long periods of time.
What are some examples of negative symptoms?
1) speech poverty- speech is lessened in terms of fluency and patinets thinking is slow and thoughts may be blocked. Usually leads to brief replies and minimal elaboration.
2) avolition - the patient have reduced interest and motivation to complete goals and are happy sitting around doing nothing.
3) affective flattening- the patient has restricted ability to respond to emotional stimuli. They may behave inappropriately in social situations eg laugh when told bad news.
4) anhedonia- general lack of interest in almost all activities and a lack of interest in pleasurable stimuli eg interacting with others.
