Schizophrenia Symptoms and Features

Question 1

Schizophrenia

Symptoms definition

Answer 1

Symptoms of behaviours shown as a result of the disorder

Question 2

Schizophrenia

features definition

Answer 2

Features are the prevalence and prognosis of the disorder

which is how common is the disorder

or facts about the dissorder

Question 3

SZ

What is a Positive symptom

Answer 3

A positive symptom is a symptom that is a new behavior the patient did not experience before the condition

( as a result of the condition)

Question 4

SZ

What is a Negative Symptom

Answer 4

A negative symptom is a behaviour that is taken away or removed due to the condition

Question 5

SZ

Aganosia

Answer 5

Agnosia is when a patient denies their ill or do not recognise that they are ill

Question 6

SZ

prodromal period

Answer 6

The prodromal period is when in the beginning of the onset of an illness
when negative symptoms appear
but positive symptoms may not

so they may be misdiagnosed with something else

such as depression

Question 7

SZ

Delusions +

Answer 7

Delusions are a positive symptom of schizophrenia

A delusion is when a patient has beliefs that a contrary to fact

Question 8

SZ

Grandiose Delusions +

Answer 8

Grandiose delusions are a positive symptom of schizophrenia

Grandiose delusions colon is when individuals think they have remarkable qualities

for example being famous or special powers

Question 9

SZ

Persecutory Delusions +

Answer 9

Persecutory delusions of positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Persecutory delusions: is when individuals report thinking others around to get them or harm them in some way

Question 10

SZ

referential delusions +

Answer 10

Referential delusions are a positive symptom of schizophrenia

Referential delusions: is where individual thinks that certain behaviors or language from others is being directed at them personally

EG overhearing somebody insults somebody else and thinking it is about them when clearly it is not

Question 11

Sz

Religious Delusions +

Answer 11

Religious delusions are a positive symptom of schizophrenia

Religious delusions: is when a person thinks that they are possessed or on a mission from god or other divine beigns

– and believe that they are telling them to do things and such

Question 12

SZ

Avolation -

Answer 12

Avolation is a Negative symptom of SZ

Avolation: is a psychological state characterized by

a general lack of motivation

to complete usually self-motivated activities such as work

Question 13

SZ

thought insertion +

Answer 13

Thought insertion is a positive symptom of schizophrenia

Thought Insertion:
When a person believes their thoughts don’t belong to them and have been implanted by an external source

they experience blurring of boundaries between self and others

leading to the belief that their thoughts and feelings can pass between people from one to another

Question 14

SZ

Hallucinations +

Answer 14

Hallucinations are positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Hallucinations:
They are perceptual experiences that occur in the absence of external stimulation to be corresponding sensory organ

You can have auditory, touch, visual etc hallucinations

Question 15

SZ

catatonia +

Answer 15

Catatonia is a positive symptom of schizophrenia

Catatonia:
When various motor disturbances characterized by an abnormality of movement and behavior occur it may involve:

– sitting completely still an odd postures

– refusing to speak to others (may be - depends on b4)

– random repetitive movement such as foot tapping

Question 16

SZ

Deminished Emotional Expression -

Answer 16

Diminished emotional expression is a negative symptom of schizophrenia

Diminished emotional expression:

It is characterized by the patient showing less and less emotion in their general use of non-verbal communications

such as facial expressions, gestures and eye contact

Question 17

SZ

Grossly disorganised behaviour +

Answer 17

Grossly disorganised behaviour is a positive symptom of schizophrenia

Grossly disorganised behaviour:

It is characterised by fidgeting, childish messing about, or dressing

Question 18

SZ

Disorganised thinking +

Answer 18

Disorganised thinking is a positive symptom of schizophrenia

Disorganised thinking
– The things they say may not make sense to other people. they may switch topics without any obvious link

Disorganised thinking:

Inferred from a person’s speech which may be characterized by

derailment ( having a series unrelated ideas)

or Tangentiality (going completly off topic)

The person may switch for one topic to another and jumble seemingly related ideas making it difficult to follow their train of Thought

Word salad prefers to random and incoherent stringing together of words

Neologism refers to blending words together to create new ones

Mixing up one’s words can be quite common and therefore is only symptomatic if it leaves dysfunctional communication

Question 19

SZ

poverty of speech -

Answer 19

Positive speech is a negative symptom of schizophrenia

Positive speeches characterised by little spontaneous speech

mainly just yes and no answers

and pauses

Question 20

Features and prognosis of SZ

Answer 20

Lifetime prevalence: 0.3-0.7% this variable ethnicity nationality and Geographic origin in immigrants

Age: onset is slightly earlier in males (early-mid 20s) than females (late 20s). females are over represented in late onset cases (post 40)

Gender: both equal chance of Diagnosis
Males have worse prognosis (lots of symptoms)
more - symptoms and psychotic episodes

Race: There is an increased diagnosis of SZ in African Americans

SZ is 2x as prevelannt as Alzhiemer’s

Approximately 20% of patients respond well to treatment with a small number we gaining a good quality of life

however a large number of main chronically ill requiring regular treatment and intervention

many patients also have cognitive functioning deficits in working memory, language and information processing

mood abnormalities may also occur

Question 21

other negative SZ symptoms:

Answer 21

Lack of motivation

Slow movement

Change in sleep patterns

Poor grooming or hygiene

Difficulty planning or setting goals

Becoming withdrawn
– Not saying much, change in body language, lack of eye contact, less interested in usual hobbies and activities

Reduced range of emotions

Low sex drive

Cognitive experiences
– low attention span, memory problems, unable to absorb information, poor decision making