Schizophrenia Spectrum and other Psychotic Disorders

Question 1

A newly coined word or expression, seen as a symptom of schizophrenia

Answer 1

Neologism

Question 2

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

Answer 2

Psychosis

Question 3

(of twins) derived from a single ovum, and so identical

Answer 3

Monozygotic

Question 4

(of twins) derived from two separate ova, and so not identical

Answer 4

Dizygotic

Question 5

A cell in an ovary which may undergo meiotic division to form an ovum

Answer 5

Oocyte

Question 6

DNA replication during cell division

Answer 6

Mitosis

Question 7

The collar-like structure surrounding the frontal part or anterior section of the corpus callosum

Answer 7

Cingulate cortex

Question 8

Chemical substances (such as epinephrine or dopamine) that transmit nerve impulses across synapses to either inhibit or excite a target cell

Answer 8

Neurotransmitters

Question 9

A specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses

Answer 9

Neuron

Question 10

A junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter

Answer 10

Synapse

Question 11

False and fixed beliefs based on incorrect deductions or misrepresentations in a person’s reality

Answer 11

Delusions

Question 12

Delusions in which there is a belief that others intend to do harm

Answer 12

Persecutory delusions

Question 13

Delusions in which there is a belief that one is special, famous, or important

Answer 13

Grandiose delusions

Question 14

Delusions in which there is a belief that certain gestures, comments, environmental cues and the like are directed to the person

Answer 14

Referential delusions

Question 15

Delusions in which there is an erroneous belief that someone is in love with the person

Answer 15

Erotomanic delusions

Question 16

Delusions in which there is a conviction that a major catastrophe will happen

Answer 16

Nihilistic delusions

Question 17

Delusions in which there is a preoccupation with one’s health

Answer 17

Somatic delusions

Question 18

The belief that the person’s thoughts have been removed from them by some kind of outside force

Answer 18

Thought withdrawal

Question 19

The belief that thoughts have been put into the person’s mind

Answer 19

Thought insertion

Question 20

A delusion in which the person believes his or her body is being affected by some outside force

Answer 20

Delusions of control

Question 21

Experiences of sensory events in the absence of environmental stimulation

Answer 21

Hallucinations

Question 22

The most common feature of schizophrenia where a person hears voices

Answer 22

Auditory hallucinations

Question 23

Considered the least common feature of schizophrenia that include sensations similar to electrical tingling or burning sensations

Answer 23

Tactile hallucinations

Question 24

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

Answer 24

Disorganized speech

Question 25

Copying the tone, words, or fragments of overheard conversations

Answer 25

Echolalia

Question 26

The failure to answer specific questions or going off on a tangent

Answer 26

Tangentiality

Question 27

The random or arbitrary leaping from topic to topic

Answer 27

Derailment

Question 28

Interruptions to thought and jumping from one thought to another disconnected thought

Answer 28

Loose associations

Question 29

A manifestation of disorganized thinking in which a person may continuously repeat the same words or sentence

Answer 29

Perseveration

Question 30

A manifestation of disorganized thinking in which a person will use rhyme or puns

Answer 30

Clanging

Question 31

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

Answer 31

Disorganized behavior

Question 32

A person’s decreased ability to react to his or her environment

Answer 32

Catatonic behavior

Question 33

A manifestation of catatonic behavior in which a person demonstrates resistance to instructions

Answer 33

Negativism

Question 34

A manifestation of catatonic behavior in which there is a lack of verbal responses

Answer 34

Mutism

Question 35

A manifestation of catatonic behavior in which there is a lack of motor responses

Answer 35

Stupor

Question 36

Purposeless and excessive motor activity without an obvious cause

Answer 36

Catatonic excitement

Question 37

Characterized as a reduced expression of emotions seen in the person’s face, eye contact, or intonation of speech (prosody)

Answer 37

Diminished emotional expression

Question 38

A loss of goal-directed behavior

Answer 38

Avolition

Question 39

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

Answer 39

Flat affect

Question 40

Involves a speech disturbance in which there is a lack of fluency and productivity of thought and speech or poverty in its content

Answer 40

Alogia

Question 41

Involves the decreased ability to experience pleasure or recall previously pleasurable experiences

Answer 41

Anhedonia

Question 42

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

Answer 42

Asociality

Question 43

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

Answer 43

Prodromal phase

Question 44

A condition in which a person lacks awareness of or poor insight into their psychiatric condition

Answer 44

Anosognosia

Question 45

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

Answer 45

Posturing

Question 46

(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

Answer 46

Waxy flexibility

Question 47

Mimicking the physical gestures and movements of others (similar to pantomime)

Answer 47

Echopraxia

Question 48

A catatonic manifestation in which there is a seemingly purposeless repetitive movement. Commonly involves the entire body

Answer 48

Stereotypy

Question 49

A sudden and transient episode of paralysis (with no loss of consciousness) and affecting nearly all voluntary muscles

Answer 49

Cataplexy

Question 50

The person’s persistent belief about something that is contrary to reality

Answer 50

Delusional disorder

Question 51

Incompatible with a person’s view of themselves

Answer 51

Ego-dystonic

Question 52

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)

Answer 52

Brief psychotic disorder