schizophrenia ao3 Flashcards
(14 cards)
1
Q
diagnosis and classification (low reliability)
A
- researchers asked two psychiatrists to independently diagnose 100 patients using DSM and ICD
- one got 26 with DSM and 44 with ICD other got 13 with DSM and 24 ICD so lack of consistency
- suggests low inter rater reliability as two psychologists cant agree on one diagnosis
- researchers recently found reliability within 180 patients with DSM 5 found inter rater reliability of +0.97 and test retest +0.92
- classification has improved over time and is now consistent also shows consistency over time
2
Q
diagnosis and classification (low validity)
A
- test validity through criterion validity (do different test systems lead to same diagnosis for same patient) research shows SZ more likley diagnosed with ICD than DSM
- issue as two classification system leads to different diagnosis rates
- suggests classification systems not measuring what supposed to (ICD over diagnosisng DSM under)
- suggets low criterion validity in classification in diagnosis of SZ
3
Q
diagnosis and classification (comorbidity)
A
- SZ commonly diagnosed with other disorders research found almost 50% cases have depression or substance abuse alongside them
- in 23% of cases OCD and PTSD 29%
- 50% of patients with SZ have depression to so we may not be measuring what were supposed to and so low validity in diagnosis
- also as SZ and depression have such similar symptoms should be classed as one suggests both diagnosis systems for separate disorders lack validity
4
Q
diagnosis and classification (symptom overlap)
A
- both SZ and bipolar have overlapping symptoms like delusion etc
- makes classification of SZ more difficult and in diagnosis as overlapping symptoms lower validity of this
- in ICD patients would be diagnosed with SZ but same patients under DSM would be diagnosed with BPD so low criterion validity as two systems dont arrive at same diagnosis
5
Q
diagnosis and classification (culture bias)
A
- african americans/ those with african ethinicity are more likley to be diagnosed with SZ in UK but rates not similar in africa
- we would expect rates to be the same in both areas
- imposed etic as behaviour accepted in african cultures seen as emic not same in UK so classification system is an imposed etic for those from other cultures
- lowers validity as were not measuring what were supposed to
- diagnose someone with SZ when they dont have it due to culture bias in classification system
6
Q
diagnosis and classification (gender bias)
A
- research shows men have been diagnosed with SZ more than women
- research also shown women function better with SZ than men so some women escape diagnosis
- were not measuring what were supposed to be measuring maybe we dont diagnose women with SZ when we should due to gender bias in classification system as underdiagnosing
- diagnosis may only be valid for men but not women
7
Q
biological explanations of SZ (twin studies support)
A
- studies show genetic influence on SZ as higher concordance in MZ twins than DZ twins so as similarity increases so does vulnerability
- but not 100% concordance other factors along with genetics of SZ like environment
- twins also share same environment so difficult to separate genetics and environment
- suggests explanation not biologically reductionist but takes interactionist view looks at more holistic view
- small sample lack population validity
8
Q
biological explanations of SZ (research support for antipsychotics)
A
- research support for antipsychotics reducing positive symptoms in SZ
- called dopamine antagonists becaused block dopamine activity
- supports role of dopamine in SZ as suggests link because blocking dopamine activity changes SZ behaviour
- however treatment causation fallacy doesnt agree with this and just because dopamine changes SZ behaviour doesnt mean it caused it
- dopamine hypothesis reductionist take interactionist approach instead with environment etc
9
Q
biological explanations of SZ (cant establish cause and effect)
A
- dopamine/ unusal brain activity could be causing SZ but these could also be the effect of SZ
- cant establish what actually caused SZ
- could be third variable linking SZ and dopamine/brain activity
- so we cant be sure if neural correlates is actually causing SZ questioning this as a biological explanation
10
Q
biological therapies for SZ (reductionist)
A
- biologically reductionist takes complex idea of treating SZ to just medication derived from idea that it is caused by neurochemicals
- may miss other important factors that cause SZ and may need to be treated like family dysfunction etc
- better to take interactionist approach combine therapies drugs + CBT etc
- able to treat more than one cause for SZ so more effective
11
Q
biological therapies for SZ (side effects)
A
- experience severe side effects from drugs
- typical : dizziness stiff jaw weight gain or tardive dyskinesia
- atypical : low white blood cells levels can lead to septiciemia can be fatal
- therefore people may stop taking drugs or reduce their dosage reducing effectiveness of drugs
- this could be a sign we should look for alternative therapies to drugs or lower dosages and combine with other therapies like CBT
12
Q
biological therapies for SZ (typical medication is effective)
A
- researchers did 13 trials with 1121 patients and found chlorpromazine showed better functioning and reduced symptoms of SZ
- shows effective as drug had reduced symptoms compared to those who didnt take the drugs
- sample size was large which gives high population validity so can be generalised onto wider SZ patients
13
Q
biological therapies for SZ (atypical medication is effective)
A
- clozapine has been found to be effective on 30-50% of cases which were treatment resistant to atypical
- shows effective as successful treating of portion of patients
- suggests that atypical drugs can also be more effective drug therapy than typical drugs as were able to treat patients typical couldnt
- but only 30-50% so could used in combination with CBT etc to be more effective
14
Q
family dysfunction (research support)
A
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