Schizophrenia (Characteristics) Flashcards
What are the general characteristics of schizophrenia?
Involve a range of cognitive, behavioural and emotional dysfunctions
This includes various symptoms affecting thought processes, behaviors, and emotional responses.
Define delusions.
Fixed beliefs that are not amenable to change in light of conflicting evidence
Examples include persecutory delusions, referential delusions, grandiose delusions, and erotomanic delusions.
What are hallucinations?
Perception-like experiences that occur without an external stimulus
They are vivid and clear, with the full force and impact of normal perceptions.
What is disorganized thinking?
Typically inferred from speech; may switch from one topic to another, answers may be unrelated, and speech may be nearly incomprehensible
It reflects a lack of coherent thought processes.
What characterizes abnormal behavior in schizophrenia?
Can manifest in silliness, unpredictable agitation, or catatonia
Catatonia includes marked decrease in reactivity to the environment, resistance to instructions, and maintaining rigid positions.
List the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Diminished emotional expression
- Avolition
- Alogia
- Anhedonia
These symptoms indicate a reduction in motivation and emotional responsiveness.
What are prodromal symptoms?
Early symptoms indicating the onset of a disease or illness
Symptoms may include loss of interest, avoiding company, irritability, and anxiety.
What is the ICD-10?
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems
Created by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and used in the UK and Europe.
How does the ICD-10 define schizophrenia symptoms?
Requires one very clear symptom (two if less clear) present for 1 month+
Clear symptoms include thought echo, delusions, and hallucinations.
Differentiate between paranoid and catatonic schizophrenia.
- Paranoid Schizophrenia: Negative symptoms present but not dominant
- Catatonic Schizophrenia: Negative symptoms are dominant
Paranoid schizophrenia includes delusions of persecution, while catatonic schizophrenia includes loss of motor skills and rigid poses.
What is the DSM-5?
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association
It is used in the USA for diagnosing mental disorders.
What are the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia in the DSM-5?
2+ symptoms over 1 month period, reduced functioning in major areas, continuous signs for 6 months, other mental illnesses ruled out, not attributable to substance effects
Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and negative symptoms.
True or False: Schizophrenia diagnosis can be made if autism is present.
False
The presence of autism excludes a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
