Schizophrenia Course, Long-Term Outcome, Recovery, and Prognosis Flashcards
What does the 26-year longitudinal study confirm about schizophrenia outcomes?
The study confirms that schizophrenia outcomes are significantly poorer than other psychiatric disorders, except dementias.
What factors contribute to the episodic course of schizophrenia?
Risk factors related to stress or vulnerability to psychosis interact with personality, temperament, and cognitive traits.
How did Emil Kraepelin originally view schizophrenia?
He viewed it as a progressive downhill course similar to dementia, calling it ‘dementia praecox’ (premature dementia).
What was Eugen Bleuler’s perspective on schizophrenia?
He was more optimistic than Kraepelin and noted that chronic symptoms often become less severe after the acute phase.
What do modern studies suggest about schizophrenia prognosis?
Despite modern treatment, schizophrenia still has a relatively poor outcome, but some patients experience periods of recovery.
What percentage of schizophrenia patients experience one or more periods of global recovery?
Over 40% of schizophrenia patients experience periods of global recovery.
How does the stress-diathesis model explain schizophrenia?
It proposes that an underlying biological vulnerability to psychosis interacts with external stressors, increasing susceptibility.
What does research indicate about the chronicity of schizophrenia?
For over 50% of patients, schizophrenia is episodic rather than chronic but involves recurring impairments.
What subgroup of schizophrenia patients is often ignored in treatment studies?
A subgroup (20-35%) who discontinue antipsychotics and continue to function well for years.
What is the lifespan impact of schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia patients have a reduced lifespan by approximately 9 years, partly due to high suicide rates.
How does schizophrenia prognosis differ in developing versus developed countries?
Patients in developing countries tend to have better outcomes, possibly due to greater family acceptance and lower stress.
What personality trait is linked to better recovery in schizophrenia?
An internal locus of control is associated with better recovery.
How does anxiety influence schizophrenia outcomes?
High anxiety increases the risk of chronic pathology and worsens overall outcomes.
What role does the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis play in schizophrenia?
It regulates stress responses, and excessive activation can exacerbate psychosis in vulnerable individuals.
What has modern treatment improved in schizophrenia management?
Modern treatments have shortened acute psychotic episodes and reduced long-term hospitalization.
What questions remain about long-term schizophrenia recovery?
The percentage of patients with recovery potential and the most effective recovery factors remain open questions.
