schizophrenia lessons 1-4 Flashcards
what is schizophrenia
A sever mental disorder characterised by disruption of cognitive and emotional functioning.
What is the ICD -10
International Classification of Diseases: produced by WHO, focuses on clusters of symptoms, mainly used in europe, for SZ, focuses on subtypes of SZ
what is the DSM - V
The Diagnostic Statistical Manual: produced in the USA
what are the DSM’s criteria for SZ
A. Needs two of the following criteria present: delusion, hallucination, disorganised speech, catatonic behaviour, avolition
B. Social / occupational dysfunctional
C. Duration for 6 months or more
what does positive symptoms mean
symptoms added to the personality because they have SZ and weren’t there before
what does negative symptoms mean
reduction of normal functioning as a result of SZ
examples of positive symptoms of SZ
1) hallucinations: person sees, hears, smells, or feels things that aren’t really there
2) delusions: person believes things that aren’t real
3) disorganised speech: person struggles to think or speak
4) catatonic behaviour: person has reduced reaction to environment and is still or rocks
examples of negative symptoms of SZ
1) speech poverty/loss: speech is lesser in terms of fluidity and productivity
2) avolition: person has reduced interest to initiate in goal directed behaviour
3) affective flattening: person has restricted ability to respond to emotional stimuli
4) anhedonia: lack of interest in almost all activities and lack of interest in pleasurable stimuli
what is reliability within SZ
there is a good consistency of diagnosis of SZ over a period of time between different psychologists
what is validity in terms of SZ
this means that a diagnostic system (ICD & DSM) assesses what it claims to be assessing (SZ)
what is co-morbidity
VALIDITY ISSUE
when two or more conditions coexist at the same time and this is a problem because SZ and OCD meet a very similar criteria and have similar symptoms.
evaluation of co-morbidity
DIS: psychologist found diagnosis of SZ can be invalid as 32% of hospitalised SZ patients had additional mental disorders which is a problem when diagnosing the illness. SZ patients used alcohol and cannabis before and during the illness so some of the symptoms are the same for drugs and SZ so is more difficult to diagnose
what is culture bias
RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY ISSUE
culture has an influence on the diagnosis of SZ for example it was found that asian cultures are less likely to show they are suffering from a psychological problem so wouldn’t seek help or appear in any stats
evaluation of culture bias
ADV: afro caribbean people have little immunity to flu and children born to mothers that had flu when pregnant have 88% increase chance of getting SZ which shows there’s a cultural vulnerability that some are more likely to get SZ
DIS: Cultural relativism as psychologists might misdiagnose SZ based on cultural background and some people from african background claim they can hear the voice of GOD which is seen as gifted in their culture rather than a hallucination
what is gender bias
VALIDITY ISSUE
the accuracy of diagnosing SZ can be dependant on the gender of the patient. Males show more negative symptoms than females and have earlier diagnosis
evaluation of gender bias
ADV: research evidence shows males are more vulnerable to SZ than females. female sex hormone Estradiol can help treat SZ in females.
DIS: Validity of diagnosis of SZ can be questioned as females develop SZ 4-10 years later than males
what is symptom overlap
VALIDITY ISSUE
some symptoms in SZ can be found in other disorders which hinders the correct diagnosis
evaluation of symptom overlap
ADV: To support a correct diagnosis of SZ in a valid way, clinicians conduct a brain scan or EEG. SZ patients have reduced grey matter but bipolar depression doesn’t.
DIS: problem is that it can cause misdiagnosis. psychologist found evidence of SZ being misdiagnosed as another illness which can cause years of delay
what is a study on validity of SZ
Rosenhan’s being sane in insane places:
rosenhan questioned the validity of classification and diagnosis of schizophrenia.
8 people sought admission to 12 separate hospitals (pseudo patients)
patients claimed they had auditory hallucinations.
when admitted to hospital they behaved normal again.
7 pseudo patients were diagnosed with SZ.
The real SZ patients could spot the diagnosis better than psychiatrists.
evaluation of study by Rosenhan
ADV: could the argument be made that the doctors did the right thing admitting people who had symptoms of SZ as turning them away could be negligent.
DIS: lacks temporal validity as the ICD and DSM have improved since that study and now two psychologists both have to agree on a diagnosis.
what are genetic causes of SZ
SZ runs in families and involves a combination of genes. NRG1 contributes by participating in glutamatergic signalling
ripke study to support polygenic genes in SZ
ripke did a meta analysis of studies that looked at candidate genes and SZ sufferers. he found that 108 separate genetic variations were associated with increased risk of getting SZ. these genes coded for functioning of dopamine.
evaluation of ripke study
ADV: his research is supported by dopamine hypothesis that high levels of dopamine in D1 and D2 receptors can cause SZ
DIS: doesn’t offer full explanation as to how it is transmitted as what if the gene is recessive. the diathesis stress model explains better than environment triggers the illness from the gene. can be caused by mutation and not just through parents.
study by gottesman and shields on twins and SZ
they studies both male and female MZ and DZ twins over 25 years. one twin had to have SZ and likelihood that other twin would get SZ was tested. in depth interviews and doctor case notes used.
48% of MZ twins were both concordant for SZ
17% of DZ twins were both concordant for SZ
evaluation of gottesman and shields study
ADV: longitudinal study so could be tracked and monitored over long period of time. three different methods used to diagnose illness which is reliable and valid.
DIS: ignored behavioural approach as the twin without SZ could copy the twin with SZ rather than by getting the illness via genetics
