Schizophrenia(classification and diagnosis)

Question 1

Diagnosis -

Answer 1

In order to diagnose someone, one disorder must be distinguished from another, this involves recognising a cluster of symptoms.

Question 2

Positive symptoms - (definition)

Answer 2

Additional experiences beyond those of ordinary existence. E.G delusions and hallucinations.

Question 3

Negative symptoms - (definition)

Answer 3

Involve the loss of usual abilities and experiences. E.G speech poverty and avolition.

Question 4

Delusions -

Answer 4

Irrational beliefs, involve beliefs which have no basis in reality, for example a person believes they are someone else or a victim of a conspiracy. It may make sense to them but bizarre to others. Positive symptoms

Question 5

Hallucinations -

Answer 5

Unreal sensory experiences either have no basis in reality, or are distorted perceptions of things that are there. Positive symptoms

Question 6

Avolition -

Answer 6

Results in decreased activity levels and motivation loss. People find is difficult to keep up with goal directed behaviour. Negative symptoms

Question 7

Speech poverty -

Answer 7

Characterised by changes in speech patterns, referred to as negative due to the reduction in the amount and quality of speech. Can be accompanied by the amount of time in the delay of a verbal response in a conversation.

Question 8

Culture bias in diagnosis and classification -

Answer 8

Some symptoms have different meanings in different cultures, for example in Afro - Caribbean societies voices may be recognised from ancestors. These individuals in the UK are ten times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia than a white person. It is most likely to be explained by through culture bias where a psychiatrist diagnoses a client due to a different cultural background. This means Afro-Caribbean people may be discriminated against by bias diagnostic system.

Question 9

Symptoms overlap -

Answer 9

There is considerable overlap of symptoms of schizophrenia and other conditions. For example Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia both involve the system overlap of positive symptoms (such as delusions) and also negative symptoms (such as avolition). May suggest some variables do not make schizophrenia a distinct condition from others therefore it makes it hard to make distinctions about what potentially is being classified from these symptoms and what does need to be diagnosed.