Schizophrenia Flashcards
Gender differences in incidence for schizo
None
Mean age of onset for males / females
Males = 21 Females = 27
Risk of suicide
Risk factors
High risk of suicide. 20-40% attempt. 10-15% succeed. Risk factors include being male, depression, hopelessness, substance use, unemployment, and social isolation.
What percentage of pxs have auditory / visual hallucinations?
75% auditory, 50% visual
What is the most common type of delusion?
Persecutory
Idea of reference
Belief that remarks, newspapers, radio, TV, internet are intended directly for that patient.
Negative sxs
Flat affect, difficulty initiating / persisting in goal-directed activities, difficulty making decisions.
Alogia
Diminution of thought, evidenced by reduced speech or lack of content in speech
Cognitive sxs
Disorganized speech / behavior
Decreased IQ
Anosognosia - not recognizing that one has an illness.
Cognitive dysmetria hypothesis
Sxs of schizo arise from disruption of neural network whose nodes include PFC, anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, temporal cortex, and cerebellum.
Soft signs
Subtle abnormalities on neurological exam such as poor coordination, left/right confusion, and gait impairment
DSM Criteria for Schizophrenia
- A) 2 or more of the following for at least 1 month; one must be 1-3
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganized speech
- Grossly disorganized / catatonic behavior
- Negative sxs
- B) Disruption of work, relationships, or self-care.
- C) 6 months of total sxs (including prodrome or residual), 1 month of A
- D) Ruled out schizoaffective, depressive, or bipolar disorder w/ psychotic sxs
- E) Not due to substance or other medical conditions
- F) If autism is present, only diagnose schizo if there are delusions or hallucinations
Prodrome
Usually lasts months-years. Includes subtle sxs of psychosis such as social withdrawal, anhedonia, poor hygiene, odd behavior, and anger outbursts.
Schizo prognosis
1/3 do well, 1/3 do OK, 1/3 do poorly
Predictors of poor outcomes for schizo
Low pre-morbid IQ, male gender, early onset, neg / cog sxs, structural brain abnormalities, long prodrome, no mood sxs, presence of obsessions / compulsions, soft signs, family history of schizo, and living in an industrialized nation.