Schizophrenia Flashcards
state the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
hallucinations
delusions
disordered thinking
state the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
apathy
lack of interest and emotion
what symptom is characteristic of schizophrenia?
hallucinations
what is the definition of psychosis ?
Psychosis represents an inability to distinguish between symptoms of hallucination, delusion and disordered thinking from reality
- hence lacking insight
what is insight ?
correct awareness of ones own mental condition
state what hallucinations are?
Have the full force and clarity of true perception
located in external space
no external stimulus
not willed or controlled
to do with senses and not thoughts
what senses are involved with hallucinations?
gustatory
auditory or visual
tactile
olfactory
what is a delusion ?
a delusion is an unshakeable idea or belief which is out of keeping with the person’s social and cultural background; it is held with extraordinary conviction
give some examples of schizophrenic delusions?
grandiose
paranoid (correctly persecutory)
hypochondriacal
self referential - individual’s experiencing innocuous events or mere coincidences and believing they have strong personal significance
what three things are affected with schizophrenia?
behaviour
emotion
thinking
when are positive symptoms since in schizophrenia?
acute syndrome
when are negative symptoms since in schizophrenia?
chronic syndrome
what gender is more affected by schizophrenia?
equal
how long do symptoms have to be present for a diagnosis to be made?
> 1 month with no organic pathology
state the symptoms in the ICD10 for the diagnosis of schizophrenia? (one required)
alienation of thoughts
delusions of control
hallucinatory voices
persistent delusions
state the symptoms in the ICD10 for the diagnosis of schizophrenia? (two required)
persistent hallucinations
irrelevant speech
catatonic behaviour
negative symptoms
what is the usual age of onset for schizophrenia
15-35yrs
name the four factors which could affect the aetiology of schizophrenia?
biological
psychological
social
evolutionary
what biological factors can be associated with schizophrenia?
genetics
- Neuregulin
- Dysbindin
neurochemistry
- GABA, glutamate, dopamine, serotoninergic
maternal influenza
winter birth
substance misuse
state some social and psychological factors ?
migration social isolation life events occupation social class
state three differential diagnosis of schizophrenia?
delirium
mania
depressive episode
at what time of the day is delirium worst?
at night
what is the management stages of schizophrenia?
engagement with services
early intervention
toleration of anti-psychotics
after what time period should anti-psychotics be changed if there is no affect at highest dose?
4 weeks
how long should maintenance treatment be continued for after the first episode of schizophrenia?
18 months
what is depot anti-psychotic medication?
injections if tablets aren’t suitable
what medication should be given for schizophrenia if the condition is resistant ?
clozapine
what medication should be used for cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia?
acetlycholinesterase inhibitors
what psychological therapies can be used for schizophrenia?
cognitive behavioural therapy
family intervention
cognitive remediation
social skills training
what % of people recover from first episode of schizophrenia?
80%
state some good prognostic factors of schizophrenia?
Absence of family history Good premorbid function - stable personality, stable relationships Clear precipitant Acute onset Mood disturbance Prompt treatment Maintenance of initiative, motivation
state some poor prognostic factors of schizophrenia?
slow, insidious onset
prominent negative symptoms
if started in childhood
what does FEP stand for?
first episode of psychosis
what three main conditions cause psychotic symptoms?
delirium
schizophrenia
affective psychosis - depressive episode, mania
what should a patient with resistant condition with negative symptoms be prescribed?
anti-depressants
