Characteristics of Schizophrenia Flashcards
(34 cards)
Define schizophrenia
one of the most chronic and disabling mental illnesses that affects thought processes and described as the disintegration of personality, features a split between thinking and emotion and involves a range of psychotic symptoms.
-patients lack insight into their condition as they don’t realise their ill
-NOT A SPLIT PERSONALITY
What percentage of the population is affected by schizophrenia
1%
Define positive symptoms
symptoms that are present in people with schizophrenia and not in normally functioning people
Define negative symptoms
symptoms that are present in healthy people but absent in those with schizophrenia
How is schizophrenia diagnosed?
by two main classification systems the ICD-10 and DSM V
for a diagnosis two or more symptoms need to be present along with reduced functioning
Difference in prevalence of male and females
No difference
Age of onset in males
in late teens/ early 20s
Age of onset in females
late 20s/ early 30s
Define delusions
a belief that is unreal
Define paranoid delusions
-most common delusional
-feelings of being persecuted or harassed
-unfounded beliefs that develop into obsessions
-no evidence to support beliefs
Give examples of paranoid delusions
-My partner is being unfaithful
-MI5 is spying on me
Define delusions of grandeur
when the individual believes they are special in some way and believe they are powerful, have superior knowledge
- may assume identity of historical figure
Give examples of delusions of grandeur
- I am God
-I am the Queen
Define delusions of reference
A belief that unrelated occurences in the external world have a significance to them
Give examples of delusion of reference
- reading something in a newspaper and believing it’s sending them a message
Define thought insertion and broadcasting
involves somehow they are experiencing ones own thoughts as someone else’s and believing they can hear other thoughts.
Give examples of thought insertion and broadcasting
- believing they can read minds
Define hallucinations
a perception that is not real and involves senses
Auditory hallucinations
when an individual hears voices. The voices can sound so real the individual becomes convinced they are truly coming from outside them, find it hard to work out why others cannot hear them. Individual may feel that they have to do what the voices are telling them to do.
Visual hallucinations
-less frequent but individuals may see heavenly bodies or other people.
Formication
hallucination of things crawling on your skin.
Disordered thinking
confused and muddled thinking, therefore the individual cannot concentrate on everyday tasks and connect their own thoughts. Seem to wander off their own and drift from idea to idea . Can be difficult for other people to follow their train of thought
How can negative symptoms affect a schizophrenic’s behaviour?
Reduction in normal behaviours
-isolated and socially withdrawn
-not the same person to family and friends
-interest in life, energy and emotions drained away
Apathy
lack the effort and energy to do everyday things and no desire to learn new things, meet new people or have new experiences and don’t care about your own problems.
