Schizophrenia Characteristics Flashcards
Definition of SZ
A schizophrenia spectrum/psychotic disorder defined by abnormalities in one or more of the following five domains: delusions, hallucinations, disorganised thinking, grossly disorganised or abnormal motor behaviour (including catatonia) and negative symptoms
Syndrome
Defined by MULTIPLE defining symptoms that must be present
Positive symptoms definition
Characteristics that occur in addition to average behaviour as a result of the disorder
Negative symptoms definition
Characteristics that take away from average behaviour as a result of the disorder
Delusions
Fixed beliefs that are not amenable to change in light of conflicting evidence
Persecutory delusions
Belief that one is going to be harmed, harassed, and so forth by an individual, organisation, or other group (most common)
Referential delusions
Belief that certain gestures, comments, environmental cues, and so forth are directed to oneself
Grandiose delusions
When an individual believes they have exceptional abilities, wealth, or fame
Erotomaniac delusions
When an individual believes falsely that another person is in love with them
Nihilistic delusions
The conviction that that a major catastrophe will occur
Somatic delusions
Focus on preoccupations with health and organ function
Hallucinations
Perception-like experiences that occur without an external stimulus. They are vivid and clear, with the full force and impact of normal perceptions, and not under voluntary control.
Disorganised thinking
Typically inferred from the individual’s speech. They may switch from one topic to another (derailment or loose associations), have unrelated answers to a question (tangentiality) or be incoherent.
Catatonic behaviour
Decrease in reactivity to the environment. E.g resistance to instructions (negativism), maintaining a rigid, inappropiate, or bizarre posture, and a lack of verbal and motor responses (mutism and stupor)
Anhedonia
Lack of pleasure in interests
Alogia
Lack of content in speech
Flat affect
Inappropiate emotional response
Avolition
Lack of motivation for goals
Asociality
Lack of social interest
