Schizophrenia Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is schizophrenia?
A severe, long-term mental health disorder characterised by psychosis
Schizophrenia often presents between ages 15 and 30, with earlier onset in men than women.
What is the duration of symptoms required for schizophrenia diagnosis?
At least six months
What is schizoaffective disorder?
A disorder that combines symptoms of schizophrenia with bipolar disorder
Patients experience psychosis along with symptoms of depression and mania.
What is the difference between schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder?
Schizophreniform disorder lasts less than six months
Define psychosis in the context of schizophrenia.
A condition where the brain struggles to understand reality, leading to delusions and hallucinations
What are common positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Thought disorder
What are the key negative symptoms of schizophrenia known as the 4A’s?
- Affective flattening
- Alogia
- Anhedonia
- Avolition
What is the prodrome phase in schizophrenia?
A phase with subtle symptoms such as poor memory and reduced concentration
List some differential diagnoses for schizophrenia.
- Mania
- Psychotic depression
- Drugs (e.g. hallucinogens, cannabis)
- Stroke
- Brain tumours
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Hyperthyroidism
- Huntington’s disease
What is the aetiology of schizophrenia?
A combination of genetic and environmental factors
What are the DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing schizophrenia?
- Prodrome for at least 6 months
- Active phase for at least one month
What are the management options for schizophrenia?
- Early intervention in psychosis
- Crisis resolution and home treatment
- Acute hospital admission
- Community mental health team
What is the mechanism of action of antipsychotic medications?
They work by inhibiting dopamine receptors, especially D2
Name some oral antipsychotic medications.
- Chlorpromazine
- Haloperidol
- Quetiapine
- Aripiprazole
- Olanzapine
- Risperidone
What is clozapine used for in schizophrenia treatment?
Used when other treatments do not control symptoms
Clozapine is very effective but has severe adverse effects.
What are some common side effects of antipsychotic medications?
- Weight gain
- Diabetes
- Prolonged QT
- Raised prolactin
- Extrapyramidal symptoms
What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
A severe condition characterised by muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, altered consciousness, and autonomic dysfunction
What are the symptoms of agranulocytosis related to clozapine?
Severely low neutrophils
What is thought disorder in schizophrenia?
Disorganised thoughts causing abnormal speech and behaviour
Fill in the blank: The symptoms of schizophrenia must be present for at least _______ before diagnosis.
six months
True or False: Hallucinations are perceptions of things that are not real.
True
