Schizophrenia Flashcards
Definition of schizophrenia?
Severe brain disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally
Gender differences in SZ?
Most common in men and typically onsets between 15-30 years old (in contrast to 25-30 in women)
What sets the clinical characteristics of SZ?
The DSM-IVR
Requirements for the diagnosis of SZ?
1+ month duration of 2+ positive symptoms
What are positive symptoms?
Excesses or distortions of behaviour
Examples of positive symptoms?
Hallucinations (auditory, visual, olfactory or tactile), delusions, disordered thinking, experiences of control
What are negative symptoms?
Diminution or loss of normal functioning
Examples of negative symptoms?
Affective flattening, a logia, avolition
What is affective flattening?
Reduction in range and intensity of emotional expression
What is alogia?
Poverty of speech
What is avolition?
Loss of goal directed behaviour
