Schizophrenia

Question 1

state the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 1

hallucinations
delusions
disordered thinking

Question 2

state the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 2

apathy

lack of interest and emotion

Question 3

what symptom is characteristic of schizophrenia?

Answer 3

hallucinations

Question 4

what is the definition of psychosis ?

Answer 4

Psychosis represents an inability to distinguish between symptoms of hallucination, delusion and disordered thinking from reality
- hence lacking insight

Question 5

what is insight ?

Answer 5

correct awareness of ones own mental condition

Question 6

state what hallucinations are?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

what senses are involved with hallucinations?

Answer 7

gustatory
auditory or visual
tactile
olfactory

Question 8

what is a delusion ?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

give some examples of schizophrenic delusions?

Answer 9

grandiose
paranoid (correctly persecutory)
hypochondriacal
self referential - individual’s experiencing innocuous events or mere coincidences and believing they have strong personal significance

Question 10

what three things are affected with schizophrenia?

Answer 10

behaviour
emotion
thinking

Question 11

when are positive symptoms since in schizophrenia?

Answer 11

acute syndrome

Question 12

when are negative symptoms since in schizophrenia?

Answer 12

chronic syndrome

Question 13

what gender is more affected by schizophrenia?

Answer 13

equal

Question 14

how long do symptoms have to be present for a diagnosis to be made?

Answer 14

> 1 month with no organic pathology

Question 15

state the symptoms in the ICD10 for the diagnosis of schizophrenia? (one required)

Answer 15

alienation of thoughts
delusions of control
hallucinatory voices
persistent delusions

Question 16

state the symptoms in the ICD10 for the diagnosis of schizophrenia? (two required)

Answer 16

persistent hallucinations
irrelevant speech
catatonic behaviour
negative symptoms

Question 17

what is the usual age of onset for schizophrenia

Answer 17

15-35yrs

Question 18

name the four factors which could affect the aetiology of schizophrenia?

Answer 18

biological
psychological
social
evolutionary

Question 19

what biological factors can be associated with schizophrenia?

Answer 19

genetics

• Neuregulin
• Dysbindin

neurochemistry
- GABA, glutamate, dopamine, serotoninergic

maternal influenza
winter birth
substance misuse

Question 20

state some social and psychological factors ?

Answer 20

migration 
social isolation 
life events 
occupation 
social class

Question 21

state three differential diagnosis of schizophrenia?

Answer 21

delirium
mania
depressive episode

Question 22

at what time of the day is delirium worst?

Answer 22

at night

Question 23

what is the management stages of schizophrenia?

Answer 23

engagement with services
early intervention
toleration of anti-psychotics

Question 24

after what time period should anti-psychotics be changed if there is no affect at highest dose?

Answer 24

4 weeks

Question 25

how long should maintenance treatment be continued for after the first episode of schizophrenia?

Answer 25

18 months

Question 26

what is depot anti-psychotic medication?

Answer 26

injections if tablets aren’t suitable

Question 27

what medication should be given for schizophrenia if the condition is resistant ?

Answer 27

clozapine

Question 28

what medication should be used for cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia?

Answer 28

acetlycholinesterase inhibitors

Question 29

what psychological therapies can be used for schizophrenia?

Answer 29

cognitive behavioural therapy
family intervention
cognitive remediation
social skills training

Question 30

what % of people recover from first episode of schizophrenia?

Answer 30

80%

Question 31

state some good prognostic factors of schizophrenia?

Answer 31

Absence of family history
Good premorbid function - stable personality, stable relationships
Clear precipitant
Acute onset
Mood disturbance
Prompt treatment
Maintenance of initiative, motivation

Question 32

state some poor prognostic factors of schizophrenia?

Answer 32

slow, insidious onset
prominent negative symptoms
if started in childhood

Question 33

what does FEP stand for?

Answer 33

first episode of psychosis

Question 34

what three main conditions cause psychotic symptoms?

Answer 34

delirium
schizophrenia
affective psychosis - depressive episode, mania

Question 35

what should a patient with resistant condition with negative symptoms be prescribed?

Answer 35

anti-depressants