Characteristics: Schizophrenia

Question 1

What are positive and negative symptoms? Examples?

Answer 1

Positive= in addition to normal state e.g delusions, auditory hallucinations, disorganised speech

Negative= withdrawal from normal state e.g losing emotional responses, inability to feel pleasure, lack of motivation, disorganised

Question 2

How the DSM-iv classify?

Answer 2

TWO OR MORE OF:
•delusions 
•hallucinations
•disorganised speech+behaviour 
•negative symptoms 

PLUS:
•social occupational dysfunctions for at least 6 months, no other explanation

Question 3

How does the ICD-10 classify?

Answer 3

• thought echo, insertion or withdrawal broadcasting
• delusions of control
• hallucinatory voices
• persistent delusions
• persistent hallucinations
• incoherence or irrelevant speech
• catatonic behaviour
• negative symptoms
• significant and consistent in overall aspects of some aspects of personal behaviour

Question 4

What are the weaknesses?

Answer 4

• subjective
• lower accuracy in DSM as separates social occupational dysfunction; you can’t have schizophrenia without it basically
• cross over of symptoms lowers reliability e.g insomnia and depression

Question 5

Strengths?

Answer 5

• main diagnostic tool internationally for health professionals so does support psy as a science
• useful in diagnosing

Question 6

What is schizophrenia?

Answer 6

• a psychotic disorder= a loss of contact with reality
• covers many disorders including^
• can include delusions (hallucinations)
• withdrawal from the outside world