Week 6 - Schizophrenia Flashcards
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health disorder characterised by an array of symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech or behaviour, and impaired cognitive ability.
What are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
Delusions - fixed false beliefs
Hallucinations - perceptual experience that occur in the absence of stimuli
Thought disorder - confused patterns of speech or behaviour
What are the goals of schizophrenia treatment?
Improve symptoms
Prevent relapse
Increase functioning
What are positive symptoms?
The addition of something that wasn’t previously there in your normal personality
What are negative symptoms?
Taking away of something that was previously there in your normal personality
What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Blunted affect Impaired cognition Reduction in thought and speech fluency Avolition - loss of motivation Anhedonia
What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Blunted affect - flat, reduced facial expression, eye contact
Impaired cognition - being unable to focus
Reduction in thought and speech fluency (alogia)
Avolition - loss of motivation
Anhedonia - reduced feelings of pleasure
What are other symptoms seen in schizophrenia (not positive or negative)?
Aggression
Agitation
Lack of insight
What causes schizophrenia?
Anatomical changes in the brain Alterations on neuronal circuits Genetics Neurochemical changes Drug induced Developments
How high is non-adherence to medication in schizophrenia?
75%
When treating schizophrenia, it is important to do what?
Identify a person’s goals, strengths and concerns.
Cease drinking, smoking and drug use.
What needs to be considered to improve compliance and motivation when starting to treat schizophrenia?
Including family or trusted friends Gentle prompts and more time for answers Decrease stimulation Shorter sessions Support or distraction regarding delusions and hallucinations
What needs to be considered to improve compliance and motivation when starting to treat schizophrenia?
Including family or trusted friends Gentle prompts and more time for answers Decrease stimulation Shorter sessions Support or distraction regarding delusions and hallucinations
What are the 2 stages of pharmacological treatment?
Acute treatment and maintenance treatment
How long does maintenance therapy need to be conducted for to prevent relapses?
12 months
