Schizophrenia and other psychoses Flashcards
What mood disturbances are characteristic of schizophrenia?
(1) Thought: disordered thinking
- Ideas not logically related
- Faulty perception and attention
(2) Emotion: lack of emotional expressiveness
- Inappropriate or flat emotions
(3) Behavior: disturbances in movement or behavior
- Disheveled appearance
How does schizophrenia affect people’s interpersonal life and independence?
It can disrupt interpersonal relationships and diminish capacity to live independently
Are there increased rates of suicide and death in people who have schizophrenia? And what are those rates?
Yes, there are increased rates. 1-15% of people have tried to commit suicide at least once
Define schizophrenia
Neurodevelopmental disorder that is associated with neurocognitive impairment
What delusion contributes to increased rates of suicide in schizophrenia?
Voices make them question why they would even want to live with the disorder
What makes schizophrenia different than mood disorders?
It is primarily cognitive
Define positive symptoms of schizophrenia and give 4 examples
Disturbances in which normal functions are distorted or exaggerated (excessive perceptions)
- Hallucinations
- Thought disorder (content)
- Bizarre behavior
- Thought disorder (form)
Define negative symptoms of schizophrenia and give 5 examples
Disturbances in which normal functions are diminished or absent (lack of pleasure)
- Anhedonia
- Alogia
- Affect
- Avolition
- Attentional impairment
What are examples of disorganized symptoms?
- Disorganized behavior
- Disorganized speech
Define delusions
- Firmly held beliefs
- Contrary to reality
- Resistant to disconfirming
evidence
Define hallucinations
- Sensory experiences in the absence of sensory stimulation
Outline types of delusions
- Persecutory delusions (The CIA planted a listening device in my head, 65% have these)
- Thought insertion
- Thought broadcasting
- Outside control
- Grandiose delusions
- Ideas of reference
Outline different types of hallucinations
- Auditory: 74% have this symptom
- Visual (negative and scary)
- Hearing voices
What area of the brain is activated during hallucinations?
Broca’s area
What is thought insertion?
Some device has inserted thoughts inside your head without consent
What are delusions?
False beliefs
What are grandiose delusions?
Feelings of ultimate superiority: believing you are Jesus
What are ideas of reference?
Watching TV and you think the newscaster is speaking directly to you
Describe what disorganized speech (formal thought disorder) looks like in disorganized symptoms of schizophrenia
- Incoherence
- Loose associations (derailment): rambles, difficulty sticking to one topic
Describe what disorganized behavior looks like in disorganized symptoms of schizophrenia
- Odd or particular behavior: silliness, agitation, unusual dress (wearing several heavy coats in hot weather)
Define avolition
- Lack of interest; apathy
Define asociality
Inability to experience pleasure in social situations
Define blunted affect
Exhibits little to no affect in face or voice
Define alogia
Reduction in speech
What are 3 movement symptoms of schizophrenia?
1) Catatonia
2) Catatonic immobility
3) Waxy flexibility
Define catatonia
- Motor abnormalities
- Repetitive, complex gestures (usually of the fingers or hands)
- Excitable, wild flailing of limbs
Define catatonic immobility
- Maintain unusual posture for long periods of time e.g. stand on one leg
Define waxy flexibility
Limbs can be manipulated and posed by another person
Where are the rates of schizophrenia better?
Rural areas
What is the lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia?
1%
Is schizophrenia more common in men or women?
Men
When is schizophrenia typically diagnosed?
Late adolescence or early adulthood (18-35)
Do men or women have early onset of schizophrenia?
Men
Why are delusions developed?
To explain hallucinations
What do hallucinations occur concurrently with?
Delusions
What does social functioning look like in men with schizophrenia?
Poor social functioning; more schizotypal traits
What does social functioning look like in women with schizophrenia?
Good social functioning; fewer schizotypal traits
Do men have more negative or positive traits and what do those look like?
Negative symptoms; more withdrawn and passive
Do women have more negative or positive traits and what do those look like?
More positive symptoms: hallucinations and paranoia; more emotional and impulsive
What does the course of schizophrenia look like in men?
More chronic, poorer response to treatment
What does the course of schizophrenia look like in women?
Less often chronic; better response to treatment