Schizophrenia (overview) Flashcards
What are the two manuals used to diagnose a patient with schizophrenia?
ICD-10 and DSM-5
What is the definition of schizophrenia?
A mental disorder characterised by withdrawal from reality
How many people does schizophrenia affect worldwide?
1% of the worlds population (accounts for 50% of the worlds mental patients)
What age is schizophrenia most common?
15-45
What are the two types of schizophrenia?
Type I and Type II
Is schizophrenia most commonly diagnosed at an early age in men or women?
Men
What is type I schizophrenia?
Acute, positive symptoms, responsive to medication
What is type II schizophrenia?
Chronic, negative symptoms, unresponsive to medication
What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
Behaviours demonstrating a loss of touch with reality e.g. hallucinations (unusual sensory experiences) e.g. hearing obscene voices
E.g. delusions (false beliefs) e.g. thinking the government is out to get you, thinking you are Jesus
What is another positive symptom of schizophrenia apart from hallucinations and delusions?
Passivity experiences and thought disorders: you believe you are under external control e.g. by aliens, or that thoughts are being inserted into your head and your thoughts are being broadcast outloud to others
What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Behaviours demonstrating disruption of normal emotions and actions
E.g. avolition = lack of energy and goal directed behaviour (e.g. poor hygiene)
E.g. speech poverty = short responses to questions and minimal elaboration
Who came up with the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
Schneider
What is another negative symptom of schizophrenia apart from speech poverty and avolition (added by Slater and Roth)?
Psychomotor disturbances e.g. tics, twitches, repetitive behaviour, pacing up and down
Disturbances of effect e.g. uncaring of others, inappropriate emotional responses e.g. laughing a bad news
