Schizophrenia

Question 1

Delusions:

Answer 1

Fixed beliefs that are not amenable to change in light of conflicting evidence

Question 2

Hallucinations:

Answer 2

Perception-like experiences that occur without an external stimulus.

Question 3

Disorganized thinking (speech):

Answer 3

Disorganized thinking (formal thought disorder) is typically inferred from the individual’s speech

Question 4

Grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior (including catatonia):

Answer 4

It can also include purposeless and excessive motor activity without obvious cause

Question 5

Positive symptoms

Answer 5

Excess of normal function:

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Disorganized thinking (speech)
• Abnormal motor behaviour

Question 6

Negative symptoms:

Answer 6

Diminution of normal function
Symptoms can also be classed as:
-Cognitive 
-Affective
-Behavioral

Question 7

Schizophrenia: Diagnostic Criteria

Answer 7

A. Two (or more) of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during a
1 -month period (or less if successfully treated). At least one of these must be (1 ), (2), or (3):
1. Delusions.
2. Hallucinations.
3. Disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence).
4. Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior.
5. Negative symptoms
B. For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance,
level of functioning in one or more major areas.
D. Schizoaffective disorder and depressive or bipolar disorder with psychotic features
have been ruled out because either 1 ) no major depressive or manic episodes have
occurred concurrently with the active-phase symptoms, or 2) if mood episodes have
occurred during active-phase symptoms, they have been present for a minority of the
total duration of the active and residual periods of the illness.
E. The disturbance is not attributable to the physiological effects of a substance (e.g., a
drug of abuse, a medication) or another medical condition.
F. If there is a history of autism spectrum disorder or a communication disorder of childhood onset, the additional diagnosis of schizophrenia is made only if prominent delusions or hallucinations, in addition to the other required symptoms of schizophrenia,
are also present for at least 1 month (or less if successfully treated).

Question 8

What is schizophrenia?

Answer 8

• Schizophrenia is a brain disorder syndrome.
• DSM-5 characteristics include positive/negative symptoms.
• Characterized by hallucinations, delusions and cognitive and functional impairment.
• Delusions can be grandiose, persecutory, religious.
• Hallucinations can be auditory/visual

Question 9

Gene-environment aetiology of schizophrenia

Answer 9

occurs when the expression of an individual’s genetic predisposition interacts with an environmental exposure, including the social environment they are living in

Question 10

synaptic pruning aetiology of schizophrenia

Answer 10

Duringadolescence and early adulthood, this activity takes place primarily in the section of the brain where thinking and planning skills are centered, known as the prefrontal cortex. People who carry genes that accelerate or intensify that pruning are at higher risk of developing schizophrenia than those who do not, the new study suggests.’

Question 11

Environmental risk factors for schizophrenia

Answer 11

• perinatal brain insults
• cannabis use
• Neurotrauma
• Psychotrauma
• Urbanicity
• Migration

Question 12

Schizoaffective Disorder

Answer 12

• a major depressive or manic episode occur concurrently with the active-phase symptoms
• the mood symptoms must be present for a majority of the total duration of the active periods

Question 13

Schizoaffective Disorder: Diagnostic Criteria

Answer 13

-A. An uninterrupted period of illness during which there is a major mood episode (major depressive or manic) concurrent with Criterion A of schizophrenia.
-Note: The major depressive episode must include Criterion A1 :
Depressed mood.
-B. Delusions or hallucinations for 2 or more weeks in the absence of a major mood episode (depressive or manic)
-Must be during the lifetime duration of the illness.
-C. Symptoms that meet criteria for a major mood episode are present for the majority of the total duration of the active and residual portions of the illness.
-D. The disturbance is not attributable to the effects of a substance or another medical condition.

Question 14

Schizoaffective Disorder: 2 types

Answer 14

• Bipolar type: This subtype applies if a manic episode is part of the presentation.
• Depressive type: This subtype applies if only major depressive episodes are part of the presentation

Question 15

Schizophreniform disorder:

Answer 15

shorter duration

Question 16

Brief psychotic disorder

Answer 16

shorter duration

Question 17

Delusional disorder:

Answer 17

absence of the other symptoms characteristic of schizophrenia

Question 18

Psychoanalytic Theories

Answer 18

Developmental fixations
Ego defects –> symptoms of schizophrenia
Ego affects interpretation of reality
–> Control of inner drives (sex, aggression)
-Symptoms have symbolic meaning
(World coming to an end —> patient’s internal world broken down
Grandiose delusions —> injury to self-esteem

Question 19

Interpersonal and Learning Theories

Answer 19

• Disturbance in interpersonal relatedness
• Anxiety transformed to distortions —> persecutory, religious
• Psychosis: A method to avoid panic, disintegration of the self
• Learning of irrational reactions and ways of thinking (parents with significant emotional problems)
• Poor interpersonal relationships —>poor models for learning during childhood.

Question 20

Psychosocial Therapies

Answer 20

• Increase social abilities
• Self-sufficiency
• Practical skills
• Interpersonal communication
• Multidisciplinary team
• *group therapy