classification and diagnosis of schizophrenia Flashcards
what is classification?
classification is the process of organising symptoms into categories
what is diagnosis?
diagnosis is identifying mental illness such as schizophrenia using these symptoms
what is the first main classification system in order to assess whether someone had schizophrenia?
the first is the DSM
this is the most widely used diagnostic tool across america
in order to be diagnosed with schizophrenia the patient must have two or more negative symptoms for at least a month
what is the second main classification system in order to assess whether someone has schizophrenia?
the second is the ICD
it is widely used in europe and the UK
to be diagnosed with schizophrenia the patient needs only 1 positive symptom for at least a month
what are positive symptoms?
positive symptoms are experienced in addition to normal functioning
they include hallucinations and delusions
what are hallucinations?
hallucinations can be auditory (voices heard) or visual (seeing distorted facial expressions or people and animals that are not there)
what are delusions?
delusions are irrational beliefs which may make sense to them but seem bizarre to others and have no basis in reality e.g believe that the government or aliens are watching them
what are negative symptoms?
negative symptoms occur when there is a reduction of normal functions or a loss of usual abilities and experiences
they include avolition and speech poverty
what is avolition?
avolition is when patients find it difficult to begin or keep up with goal-directed activity e.g having a shower or brushing teeth
what is speech poverty?
speech poverty is a reduction in amount and quality of speech which becomes incoherent and no longer fluent
