schizophrenia

Question 1

how is schizophrenia diagnosed?

Answer 1

• DSM and ICD
• Mental Health Profession developed the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) as method of classifying mental disorders (particularly in the USA)
• ICD (International Classification of Diseases) used by the WHO in classifying all disorders (mental and physical)

Question 2

define schizophrenia

Answer 2

• thought process disorder

- characterised by disruption to a person’s perceptions, emotions, and beliefs

Question 3

how does the DSM (diagnostic and statistical manual) define Sz?

Answer 3

• a psychosis (as the sufferer has no concept of reality)

- illness is due to a breakdown of the patient’s personality.

Question 4

what are positive symptoms of Sz, with examples?

Answer 4

• an excess or distortion of normal functions: including hallucinations and delusions

Question 5

define hallucinations and delusions

Answer 5

Delusions: false beliefs that are firmly held despite being completely illogical, or no evidence for
Hallucinations: disturbances in perception (instead of disturbances in thought), false perceptions that have no basis in reality. The most common hallucinations are auditory ones (hearing voices)

Question 6

state and explain types of delusions

Answer 6

Delusions of persecution: belief that others want to harm, threaten or manipulate you.
Delusions of grandeur: This is the idea that you are an important individual e.g. Jesus Christ.
Delusions of control: Individuals may believe that they are under the control of an alien force that has invaded their mind and/or body

Question 7

what are negative symptoms of Sz, with examples?

Answer 7

• negative symptoms appear to reflect a loss of normal function
• decline in functioning