Characteristics

Question 1

What is schizophrenia (SZ)?

Answer 1

A profound disruption of cognition and emotion affecting language, thought, perceptions, and sense of self.

Characteristic symptoms involve cognitive, behavioural, and emotional dysfunctions, with no definitive symptom of the disorder.

Question 2

What are the two types of symptoms in schizophrenia?

Answer 2

Positive symptoms and Negative symptoms.

Positive symptoms are additional behaviors, while negative symptoms are reductions in normal functioning.

Question 3

List three positive symptoms of schizophrenia.

Answer 3

• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Disorganised thinking

Question 4

List three negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Answer 4

• Flat affect
• Avolition
• Anhedonia

Question 5

What are hallucinations in the context of schizophrenia?

Answer 5

Unusual sensory experiences that can occur in any of the senses, with auditory hallucinations being the most common.

Examples include ‘hearing voices’ or seeing things that aren’t there.

Question 6

What are delusions?

Answer 6

Strongly held false beliefs that persist even when there is evidence against them.

Common types include persecutory, referential, and grandiose delusions.

Question 7

Define avolition.

Answer 7

Difficulty beginning or keeping up with goal-directed activity, often referred to as apathy.

Question 8

What is alogia?

Answer 8

Reduction in the amount and quality of speech, which may result in delayed responses in conversation.

Question 9

What is flat affect?

Answer 9

Reduction in range and expression of emotion, including facial expressions and body language.

Question 10

What is anhedonia?

Answer 10

Loss of pleasure from all activities, including eating and social contact.

Question 11

What is catatonic behavior?

Answer 11

Behavior that can range from fast, repetitive movements to no movement at all, including mimicking movements of others.

Question 12

What are prodromal symptoms?

Answer 12

Early symptoms indicating the onset of a disease or illness.
(Only in retrospect once SZ has been diagnosed can these symptoms be seen as the onset of the disorder)
Symptom eg:
Loss of interest in usual activity
Avoiding the company of others
Being irritable and overly sensitive
Mild degrees of depression
Generalised anxiety

Question 13

What is the criteria of the ICD-10?

Answer 13

-Symptoms have to be present for at least one month.
-At least one symptom from category one (thought echo/broadcasting/ and delusions/hallucinations) OR at least two from category 2 (persistent hallucinations and fleeting delusions/ disorganised speech/ catatonic behaviour and negative symptoms)

Question 14

What is the criteria of DSM-5?

Answer 14

• occur over at least a one month period
• 6 months of deterioration of functioning
• two or more the following symptoms have to be present (delusions/ hallucinations/ disorganised speech/ disorganised or catatonic behaviour/ negative symptoms)

Question 15

What are the three signs of avolition identified by Andreasen (1982)?

Answer 15

• Poor hygiene
• Lack of energy
• Lack of persistence in work or education

Question 16

What is disorganised thinking?

Answer 16

A result of abnormal thought processes, leading to difficulty in organizing thoughts and speech.