Schizophrenia Flashcards
What are two examples of positive symptoms?
Hallucinations and delusions
What are hallucinations?
These are sensual unusual experiences, some are related to events in the environment where others are not for example, hearing voices. They can be related to any sense e.g. seeing distorted faces or people who aren’t really there
What are delusions?
They are irrational beliefs. Common delusions involve famous people such as Jesus. Delusions involve being persecuted perhaps by the government or aliens. Delusions make sufferers behave in a way that may seem bizarre, however not aggressively.
What is the definition of a positive symptom?
These are additional to ordinary existence
What is the definition of a negative symptom?
This involves the loss of usual abilities including speech poverty and the lack of interest and enthusiasm
What is avolution?
This can be described as finding difficult to begin or keep up with a goal directed at activities.
Andreason identified three signs of apathy- poor hygiene and grooming, lack of interest in work and a lack of energy
What is speech poverty?
Characterised by changes in speech patterns. There is an emphasis on the reduction in amount and quality of speech. This can be seen in conversation responses
Evaluation of diagnosing schizophrenia- Reliability?`
Ellie Cheniaux had two independent psychiatrists diagnose 100 patients using the DSM and ICD. 1st results 26 diagnosed using DSM and 44 diagnosed by ICD 2nd results- 13 DSM and 24 ICD - inter-rater reliability is poor
Evaluation of diagnosis Validity?
Shows that a weakness of diagnosis is that the ICD is more likely to diagnose people with schizophrenia
Evaluation of diagnosis- Co-morbidity?
If two or more conditions occur together it affects the validity of the diagnosis. Sz is normally diagnosed with other conditions
Buckley et al
Half of the patients with Sz diagnosis also have depression or substance abuse (47%). OCD occurred in 23% of cases. Does this mean psychologists are just bad at telling the difference- weak diagnosis
Evaluation of diagnosis- Symptom overlap?
Both Sz and bipolar involve positive symptoms like delusions and negative symptoms like avolution. ICD could diagnosis the person as Sz but DSM may say they are bipolar- some may argue they are the same condition
Evaluation of diagnosis- Gender bias?
Longnecker reviewed the prevalence of Sz and concluded that since the 1980’s men have been diagnosed with SZ more than women- men maybe more genetically vulnerable to developing Sz
Cotton et al
Female patients function better than men as they are more likely to work and have steady family relationships- ability to function may bias diagnosis
Evaluation of diagnosis- Cultural bias?
African Americans and English Afro- Carribeans are several times more likely than white people to be diagnosed. Positive symptoms such as hearing voices may well be acceptable in African cultures because of beliefs passed on by ancestors
