Schizophrenia Spectrum and other Psychotic Disorders Flashcards
A newly coined word or expression, seen as a symptom of schizophrenia
Neologism
Often used interchangeably with schizophrenia and refers to a group of incapacitating disorders traditionally defined as the loss of reality testing and the impairment of mental functioning manifested by delusions (or irrational beliefs) and/or hallucinations (or sensory experiences in the absence of external events) as well as confusion, impaired memory, and the inability to function within the interpersonal domain
Psychosis
(of twins) derived from a single ovum, and so identical
Monozygotic
(of twins) derived from two separate ova, and so not identical
Dizygotic
A cell in an ovary which may undergo meiotic division to form an ovum
Oocyte
DNA replication during cell division
Mitosis
The collar-like structure surrounding the frontal part or anterior section of the corpus callosum
Cingulate cortex
Chemical substances (such as epinephrine or dopamine) that transmit nerve impulses across synapses to either inhibit or excite a target cell
Neurotransmitters
A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses
Neuron
A junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter
Synapse
False and fixed beliefs based on incorrect deductions or misrepresentations in a person’s reality
Delusions
Delusions in which there is a belief that others intend to do harm
Persecutory delusions
Delusions in which there is a belief that one is special, famous, or important
Grandiose delusions
Delusions in which there is a belief that certain gestures, comments, environmental cues and the like are directed to the person
Referential delusions
Delusions in which there is an erroneous belief that someone is in love with the person
Erotomanic delusions
Delusions in which there is a conviction that a major catastrophe will happen
Nihilistic delusions
Delusions in which there is a preoccupation with one’s health
Somatic delusions
The belief that the person’s thoughts have been removed from them by some kind of outside force
Thought withdrawal
The belief that thoughts have been put into the person’s mind
Thought insertion
A delusion in which the person believes his or her body is being affected by some outside force
Delusions of control
Experiences of sensory events in the absence of environmental stimulation
Hallucinations
The most common feature of schizophrenia where a person hears voices
Auditory hallucinations
Considered the least common feature of schizophrenia that include sensations similar to electrical tingling or burning sensations
Tactile hallucinations
Speech that is not governed by logic. Sometimes it is exhibited in rhymes or puns; other times it may take the form of mimicking speech patterns of those around the person
Disorganized speech
Copying the tone, words, or fragments of overheard conversations
Echolalia
The failure to answer specific questions or going off on a tangent
Tangentiality
The random or arbitrary leaping from topic to topic
Derailment
Interruptions to thought and jumping from one thought to another disconnected thought
Loose associations
A manifestation of disorganized thinking in which a person may continuously repeat the same words or sentence
Perseveration
A manifestation of disorganized thinking in which a person will use rhyme or puns
Clanging
Involves physical actions that do not appear to be goal directed for example, taking off one’s clothes in public, assuming or maintaining unusual postures, pacing excitedly, or moving fingers or extremities in idiosyncratic and repetitive ways
Disorganized behavior
A person’s decreased ability to react to his or her environment
Catatonic behavior
A manifestation of catatonic behavior in which a person demonstrates resistance to instructions
Negativism
A manifestation of catatonic behavior in which there is a lack of verbal responses
Mutism
A manifestation of catatonic behavior in which there is a lack of motor responses
Stupor
Purposeless and excessive motor activity without an obvious cause
Catatonic excitement
Characterized as a reduced expression of emotions seen in the person’s face, eye contact, or intonation of speech (prosody)
Diminished emotional expression
A loss of goal-directed behavior
Avolition
Exhibited by gazing with “vacant eyes.” The individual is seemingly unaffected by what is going on around them and displays little change in facial expressions
Flat affect
Involves a speech disturbance in which there is a lack of fluency and productivity of thought and speech or poverty in its content
Alogia
Involves the decreased ability to experience pleasure or recall previously pleasurable experiences
Anhedonia
Refers to the person’s lack of interest in social interactions. Could also be an indicator of the individual’s limited opportunities for social interactions
Asociality
The period before the features of schizophrenia become very apparent; this is the period of time during which the person’s level of functioning deteriorates
Prodromal phase
A condition in which a person lacks awareness of or poor insight into their psychiatric condition
Anosognosia
A manifestation of catatonia that includes spontaneously posing or displaying bizarre, inappropriate silliness and “odd” mannerisms (for example, use facial grimaces or making silly faces). These strange postures can be held for very long periods of time, making the person look like a figure in a wax museum
Posturing
(Included in posturing and a manifestation of catatonia) In which someone else may try to move or manipulate an individual’s limbs, but once moved, the limbs can then remain fixed for hours or days
Waxy flexibility
Mimicking the physical gestures and movements of others (similar to pantomime)
Echopraxia
A catatonic manifestation in which there is a seemingly purposeless repetitive movement. Commonly involves the entire body
Stereotypy
A sudden and transient episode of paralysis (with no loss of consciousness) and affecting nearly all voluntary muscles
Cataplexy
The person’s persistent belief about something that is contrary to reality
Delusional disorder
Incompatible with a person’s view of themselves
Ego-dystonic
Also known as brief reactive psychosis, seldom assessed and has received minimal attention. The cause of the disorder is unknown but seems to be triggered by major stress or a traumatic event. (psychotic behavior lasting less than 1 month)
Brief psychotic disorder
