schizophrenia Flashcards
What is “Psychosis”
Psychosis is an acute and severe mental condition. Patient is describe to be out of touch with reality, and have a lack of insight
What is “Schizophrenia”
Schizophrenia is a form of psychosis. “Chronic psychosis”
Syndrome of disorganized and bizarre thoughts, delusion, hallucinations, inappropriate affect and impaired psychosocial functioning
What are the most common symptoms of Schizophrenia
Delusion and hallucinations (auditory, olfactory, visual, gustatory, tactile)
When is the onset of Schizophrenia?
Most commonly during early adulthood and adolescence
What are the class of diagnoses with associated psychotic symptoms
1) Organic disorders
2) Affective disorders
3) Schizophrenia
What are some of the organic disorder associated with psychotic symptoms?
1) Iatrogenic (drug) causes
2) Psychosis related to alcohol/ psychoactive substance abuse
3) Parkinson’s disease
4) Epilepsy
5) Dementia
6) Endocrine disorders
7) Cerebral lesions
8) Nervous system illness: Infections, Genetic
9) Metabolic disorders/ Physiological disturbances affecting nervous system
What are some of the affective disorders presenting with psychotic symptoms
1) Post-partum depression
2) Psychotic depression
3) Mania
What are the neurotransmitters involved in Schizophrenia
1) Dopamine
2) 5-HT
3) Glutamate
What are the predisposing factors implicated in the genesis and course of Schizophrenia?
1) Genetics
2) Neurodevelopmental effects
3) Physical, psychological, social factors in infancy and early childhood
4) Environment in utero
5) Personality
What are the precipitating factors implicated in the genesis and course of Schizophrenia?
1) Drug-induced (e.g. Benzodiazepine, Dopamine agonist, Psychoactive substances, alcohol)
2) Cerebral tumours, injury
3) Personal misfortune
4) Environment of high expressed emotion
What are the perpetuating (prolonging) factors implicated in the genesis and course of Schizophrenia?
1) Lack of support
2) Poor adherence to antipsychotic medications
3) Social withdrawal
4) Secondary demoralization
Where are the potential loci for genetic predisposition located at?
Chromosome 6, 8, 13, 15, 22
What are the DSM-5 criteria for Schizophrenia?
1) Two or more of the following symptoms, persisting for at least a 1 month period: Delusions, hallucination, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behaviour, negative symptoms
2) Social/ Occupational dysfunction
3) Continuous signs of disorder for at least 6 months. Inclusive of at least 1 month of symptoms mentioned in (1).
4) Schizoaffective or mood disorder has been excluded
5) NOT due to a medical disorder or substance use
6) If history of a pervasive development disorder is present, at least 1 months of hallucination and delusions
What are the positive symptoms of Schizophrenia?
1) Disorganized speech
2) Grossly disorganized or catatonic behaviour
3) Hallucinations
4) Delusions
What are the negative symptoms of Schizophrenia?
1) Affective flattening
2) Alogia (characterized by a lack of speech)
3) Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure in normally pleasurable activities)
4) Avolition
What history must be taken prior to diagnosis and treatment?
1) History of present illness
2) Psychiatric history
3) Substance use history
4) Complete medical and medication history
5) Family, occupational, social, forensic, development history
What other evaluations must be conducted prior to diagnosis and treatment?
1) Physical and neurological exam
2) Mental state exam
3) Labs and other investigation
In mental state exam, what do you need to assess for?
Suicidal/ homicidal ideations and risks
Why do we conduct labs test for diagnosis?
To exclude general medical conditions or substance-induced symptoms
Why do we measure BMI for physical exam?
Antipsychotic medications can cause weight gain
What are the non-pharmacological treatments for Schizophrenia?
1) Individual Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
2) Electroconvulsive therapy
3) Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
4) Psychosocial rehab programs
What is electroconvulsive therapy used for?
For treatment of treatment-resistant schizophrenia
How can repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation help?
It is effective in reducing auditory hallucinations in Schizophrenia
Individual cognitive behavioural therapy is used in conjunction with?
Medication and family intervention
What are the different phases of treatment?
1) Acute stabilization
2) Stabilization
3) Stable/ maintenance phase
What are the therapeutic goals during acute stabilization phase?
1) Minimize threat to self and others
2) Minimize acute symptoms
3) Improve role functioning
4) Identify appropriate psychological interventions
5) Collaborate with family and caregivers
What are the therapeutic goals during stabilization phase?
1) Prevent relapse
2) Promote medication adherence
3) Optimize dose
4) Manage adverse effects
What are the therapeutic goals during stable/maintenance phase?
1) Improve functioning and QOL
2) Maintain baseline functioning
3) Optimize dose and monitor for adverse effects (Tardive dyskinesia)
4) Monitor for prodromal symptoms of relapse
What are antipsychotic medications used for?
To calm disturbed patients whatever the underlying psychopathology which may be
What are the common indications for antipsychotics?
1) Schizophrenia
2) Acute mania
3) Short-term adjunctive management of severe anxiety or psychomotor agitation, violent behaviour
How are antipsychotic different from benzodiazepines?
Antipsychotics induce tranquilizing effects without impairing consciousness of patient.
What are antipsychotics used for in Schizophrenia?
To relieve symptoms of psychosis such as thought disorder, hallucination and delusions, and prevent relapse
Are antipsychotic effective in apathetic withdrawn patients/ patients with more negative symptoms?
Less effective
Which group of patient respond better to antipsychotics?
Patients with acute symptoms of Schizophrenia respond better than those with chronic symptoms
Describe the duration of treatment for Schizophrenia
It is a long-term treatment after first episode to prevent illness from becoming chronic
Onset of Schizophrenia relapse after cessation of treatment? Explain the duration
Delayed for a few weeks after cessation. This is due to adipose tissues acting as depot reservoir after chronic usage of antipsychotics
What are the methods to overcome poor treatment (Schizophrenia) outcome?
1) IM long-acting injections
2) Community psychiatric nurse
3) Patient and family/ caregiver education
What are the 4 dopaminergic tract? Which of the 4 tracts are targeted for treatment?
1) Mesolimbic tract (Main)
Blockage of the other 3 tracts causes side effects:
2) Mesocortical tract
3) Nigrostriatal tract
4) Tuberoinfundibular tract
What is mesolimbic tract responsible for?
Overactivity of this region leads to positive symptoms
What are the side effects in relation to the other dopaminergic tract
Blockage of
1) Mesocortical tract causes negative symptoms
2) Nigrostriatal tract causes extrapyramidal side effect (EPSE)
3) Tuberoinfundibular tract causes hyperprolactinemia
What are the symptoms of EPSE?
1) Akathisia (Involuntary movements/ restlessness)
2) Pseudo-parkinsonism (Resting tremors)
3) Tardive dyskinesia (Orofacial movements)
4) Dystonia
What are the other side effect in relation to off-target receptor binding?
Antagonism of:
1) H1 receptors leads to sedation/ weight gain
2) alpha-1-adrenergic receptor leads to orthostatic hypotension, sedation
3) M1 receptors leads to peripheral anticholinergic effects, memory dysfunction
4) IKr receptors leads to QTc interval prolongation (pro-arrhythmic)