Schizophrenia- Classifications Flashcards
What’s the major system for classification of mental disorders in the UK?
-International Classification of Disease (ICD-11)
-Two or more negative symptoms for one month or longer are sufficient for diagnosis.
-Recognises subtypes (categories/ types) of Sz.
What’s the major system for classification of mental disorders in the US?
-Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5)
-One positive symptom must be present for at least one month for diagnosis.
-Doesn’t categorise Sz into subtypes.
Definition of a positive symptom
An additional experience beyond those of ordinary existence.
Positive Symptom: Hallucination
Unusual sensory experiences that have no basis in reality and can affect any sense.
e.g. auditory hallucinations (hearing voices that aren’t present) or visual hallucinations (seeing objects that aren’t present)
Positive Symptom: Delusions
Irrational/ false beliefs that have no basis in reality, make people with Sz behave in ways that make sense to them but may be bizarre to others.
Delusions of persecution (false belief you’re being harassed).
Delusions of control (false belief you’re being controlled by something external)
Definition of negative symtom
Loss of usual abilities and experiences
Negative Symptom: Avolition
Loss of motivation to carry out everyday tasks/ difficulty to begin/ keep up with activity e.g. poor hygiene and grooming, lack of energy.
Negative Symptom: Speech Poverty
Reduction in amount/ quality of speech, delay in speech/ response, lack of fluency.
Diagnosis Definition
The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms e.g. reporting hearing voices
Classification Definition
The process of classifying the disease according to the symptoms e.g. symptom of Sz is hallucinations.
Reliability Definition
Consistency- whether we can gain consistent results when classifying and diagnosing Sz. Extent to which different classification systems agree upon how Sz should be classified, extent to which two or more health professionals would agree on same diagnosis, regardless of time period/ culture, measured by inter-rater reliability.
Validity Definition
Accuracy- extent to which we’re measuring Schizophrenia. e.g. classification systems accurately outlining the signs and symptoms of Sz.
Cheniaux Research
Cheniaux asked two psychiatrists to diagnose the same 100 patients using DSM and ICD.
Psychitrist one: diagnosed 26 according to DSM, diagnosed 44 according to ICD.
Psychiatrist two: diagnosed 13 according to DSM, diagnosed 24 according to ICD.
Shows poor inter-rater reliability: one psychiatrist diagnosed almost double amount than other psychiatrist,
Shows poor reliability in classification of Sz: both psychiatrists diagnosed almost double number of patients using ICD than DSM, questioning validity of diagnosis.
AO3: Reliability and Classification of Sz Diagnosis: Symptom Overlap
P: Problem: Symptom Overlap: Affects validity and reliability of classification of diagnosis.
Two or more conditions share similar symptoms
E: e.g. both Sz and depression involve negative symptoms e.g. avolition.
E: Individual may be diagnosed with wrong disorder, issue, doctors not diagnosing Sz correctly, individuals don’t receive appropriate treatment .
L: Weakens validity and reliability, negatively affects accuracy and consistency.
AO3: Reliability and Classification of Sz Diagnosis: Gender Bias
P: Problem: Gender Bias: Affects validity and reliability of classification of diagnosis.
E: Since 1980: Men diagnosed with Sz more often than women.
May be because men are more genetically vulnerable to developing Sz than women.
E: Could be because females with Sz typically function better than men, more likely to work and have good family relationships, symptoms masked by good interpersonal skills.
L: Weakens validity and reliability, women who share similar symptoms as men may not receive same diagnosis, symptoms may seem mild.
