Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders

Question 1

Define psychosis

Answer 1

Psychosis represents an inability to distinguish between symptoms of hallucinations, delusion and disordered thinking from reality

Question 2

What is a delusion

Answer 2

unshakeable idea or belief which is out of keeping with the person’s social or cultural background - e.g grandiose and paranoid

Question 3

What is schizophrenia

Answer 3

Severe mental illness which affects: thinking, emotion and beehaviour

Question 4

What is the common age of onset of schizophrenia

Answer 4

15-35 but it can be any age

Question 5

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia

Answer 5

Positive symptoms: Hallucinations
Delusions
Disordered thinking

Negative symptoms:
Apathy
Lack of interest
lack of emotions
Depression

Question 6

What is required to diagnose schizophrenia

Answer 6

• At least a month of the symptoms
• 2 of the following:
• Persistent delusion
• Persistent hallucination
• Disorganised thinking
• Experience of influence - ones feeling that thoughts are generated by someone else
• Negative symptoms such as affective flattening
• Grossly disorganised behaviour
• Catatonia - restless or not moving

Question 8

Describe the presentation of delerium or acute organic brain syndrome

Answer 8

Prominent visual hallucinations with the effect of terror - worse at night

Question 9

Describe a depressive episode with psychotic symptoms

Answer 9

Delusion of guilt and worthlessness with derogatory auditory hallucinations

Question 10

Describe a manic episode with psychotic symptoms

Answer 10

Delusion of special powers or messianic roles with overactivity, irrativility and manic excitement

Question 11

What is a schizoaffective disorder

Answer 11

All diagnostic requirements for schizophrenia at the same time as mood symptoms that diagnose severe depressive or manic episode