Schizophrenia Flashcards
SZ
Severe mental illness where reality is impaired
+ve symptom
Atypical experiences beyond those of ordinary existence
-ve symptoms
Involves loss of usual abilities and experiences
Hallucination +ve
Unusual sensory experiences of stimuli that either have no basis in reality (voices) or are distorted perceptions of things that are there (distorted faces)
Delusions +ve
Having irrational beliefs.
Think they’re a victim of a conspiracy
Avolition -ve
Involves loss of motivation to carry out tasks and results in lowered activity levels
Andreason: poor hygiene, lack of energy/persistence in work/school
Speech poverty -ve
Involves reduced frequency and quality of speech. Eg, delay in verbal responses during convo
Gender bias
When accuracy of diagnosis is dependant on gender. May be bcs criterion is gender biased, or clinicians basing their judgements on stereotypical beliefs held about gender
Symptom overlap
Overlap between symptoms of SZ and other conditions. Potential to confuse symptoms of one disorder w/ another
Co-morbidity
When 2 or more conditions occur together. When this is frequent, we question the validity and classification bcs they may be one condition
Neural correlates
Measurements of the structure/function of the brain that correlate w/ an experience (SZ)
Schizophrenogenic mother
The mother is cold, controlling, rejecting and tends to create a family environment of tensions and secrecy leads to distrusts which develops into delusions and ultimately SZ - INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT
Double-bind theory
Kids who frequently receive contradictory messages form their parents more likely to develop SZ.
Eg, if mum tells kid she loves them, but also turns her head away in disgust- child then receives 2 conflicting messages about their RS. And so SZ result of social pressures from life
Expressed emotion
EE is the level of negative emotion expressed towards patients by their carers. Includes family being critical, hostile and being emotionally over-involved in life of patient.
These high levels of EE is a source of stress for patient and causes relapse in patient and can also trigger SZ in vulnerable person
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Involves helping patients identify irrational thoughts (delusions and hallucinations) and challenging them. Involves discussion on whether patient’s beliefs are true and consideration of other possibilities.
