Schizophrenia

Question 1

What is schizophrenia

Answer 1

A psychotic disorder which can be categorised by a set list of symptoms - positive and negative

Question 2

Positive symptoms

Answer 2

Additional experiences beyond those of ordinary existence:
-hallucinations:
Unusual sensory experiences that can be related to the environment or random. Can be visual, auditory, tactical (touch) or olfactory (smell)
Auditory is most common
Research shows that tactile are present in 20% of cases and may experience formication (thinking someone or something is touching them e.g bugs)
-delusions:
Strongly held false beliefs
These persist even with evidence proving them wrong
E.g delusion of grandiosity = believing you are an important/superior figure e.g god/jesus
-disordered thinking:
Abnormal though process which results in trouble organising thoughts/speech
They may quickly switch between topics (derailment) or speak gibberish (word salad)
May also experience thought insertion (reporting thoughts that aren’t their own)

Question 3

Negative symptoms

Answer 3

Loss of usual abilities
-Alogia:
Reduction in speech or speech quality but is not due to a lack of knowledge
-avolition:
Difficulty keeping motivated- apathy
3 main signs = poor hygiene, lack of energy or lack of persistence with work/school
-anhedonia:
No reaction to pleased e.g no reaction when your fave football team score
-flatness of effect:
No facial expressions and monotone voice
-catatonic behaviour:
Fast,repetitive, unusual movements

Question 4

Classification of schizophrenia

Answer 4

There is 2 diagnosis - DSM-5 and ICD-10
-IDC-10:
World health organisation international classification of disease edition 10
-DSM-5:
Diagnostic and statistical manual edition 5
Differences:
In the DSM symptoms have to have persisted for over a month with a deterioration of 6m previous and two or more positive/negative symptoms whereas ICD-10 only needs symptoms to be present for 1 month then at least 1 system from positive symptoms or 2 from negative