Schizzz Flashcards
What is aetiologically heterogeneous? (sz)
One group of genes may cause sz in one person but a different group of genes may cause sz in another person
What are neural corrlates?
Neural correlates refer to patterns of structure or activity in brain that are correlated with an increase kf developing a condition
What is hyperdopamingeria?
Refers to higher that usual levels of dopamine.
Linked to positive symptoms
Excess in the brocas area is linked with speech poverty or auditory hullicinations
What is Hypodopamingeria?
Refers to lower usual levels of dopamine where less dopamine is being transmitted across the synapses
This is linked with negative symptoms
What is an agonist? (sz)
A chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response
Helps relieve positive symptoms
This supports the hypodopaminergia hypothesis
What are atypical antipsychotics?
Newer antipsychotics with fewer side effects that can affect more than one neurotransmitter
What is avolition?
A chronic lack of motivation to complete tasks
What are delusions?
Where a person holds an incorrect belief that is fixed and unchangeable in spite of offering evidence
What is the Diathesis-stress model in SZ?
The theory that SZ develops by genetic markers that increase vulnerability to SZ, and external stressors that trigger it to develop
What is the dopamine hypothesis in SZ?
The theory that excess and lack of dopamine in different areas of the brain could be responsible for some schizophrenic symptoms
What is dysfunctional thought processing in SZ?
The theory that SZ could be attributed to faulty cognitive processes
What is family dysfunction in SZ?
Some unhealthy family dynamics that may be a cause of schizophrenia, such as lack of communication, contradictory responses etc.
What are hallucinations?
Additional sensory experiences e.g. seeing something that isn’t really there
What are negative symptoms?
Symptoms that occur with loss of regular functioning i.e. avolition, speech poverty and anhedonia
What are positive symptoms?
Symptoms that occur with excessive to regular functioning e.g. hallucinations, delusions and disorganised speech
What is Schizophrenia?
A mental disorder characterised by a confusion between reality and what is in their mind/ a psychotic disorder marked by severely impaired thinking, emotions, and behaviours. Schizophrenic patients are typically unable to filter sensory stimuli and may have enhanced perceptions of sounds, colours, and other features of their environment
Token economy
A form of behaviour management that aims to increase desirable behaviour and reduce undesirable behaviour by use of tokens. If desirable behaviour is displayed, immediate (indirect) rewards in the form of tokens are given. These tokens can then be exchanged for a reward of choice.
What is speech poverty?
The inability to produce fluent and coherent speech
