Schizophrenia: classification

Question 1

The nature of schizophrenia

Answer 1

Thought and emotions are so impaired that contact is lost with eternal reality

Has many symptoms e.g cognitive symptoms (delusions, language impairments) and behavioural symptoms (repeating ‘strange’ actions)

Question 2

What is the criteria of the DSM-V which determines the diagnosis

Answer 2

two or more active symptoms for over 1 month

Question 3

Symptoms can be split into two types: positive and negative

Answer 3

Positive: excess or distortion of normal functions (something added) e.g hallucinations, delusions, disorganised speech

Negative: loss of normal functions (something taken away) e.g lack of emotion, lack of interest, lack of pleasure