💗 Schizophrenia- Characteristics

Question 1

How do you diagnose schizophrenia

Answer 1

DSM-5 (APA) Requirements:

≥2 symptoms for ≥6 months (with 1+ month of active symptoms):
Similar to ICD-11 but emphasizes social/occupational dysfunction.

Question 2

Schizophrenia Basics

What is schizophrenia?

Answer 2

A psychotic disorder characterized by:

Loss of contact with reality
1% lifetime prevalence
Gender differences: Males (diagnosed 16-20), Females (20-30), but equal overall risk

Question 3

Positive vs. Negative Symptoms

How did Kurt Schneider (1959) classify symptoms?

Answer 3

Positive: Added behaviors (e.g., hallucinations, delusions)
Negative: Reduced functioning (e.g., avolition, flat affect)

Question 4

Positive Symptoms: Hallucinations

Define hallucinations with examples

Answer 4

False sensory experiences:
Auditory (“hearing voices”)
Visual (seeing people)
Tactile (feeling bugs on skin)

Question 5

Positive Symptoms: Delusions

Name 4 types of delusions

Answer 5

Persecution: “The government spies on me”
Grandiosity: “I’m the Messiah”
Reference: “TV ads send me secret messages”
Control: “Aliens control my thoughts”

Question 6

Thought Disorders

What is disorganized thinking?

Answer 6

Incoherent speech (“word salad”)
Thought insertion: Belief others planted thoughts

Question 7

Negative Symptoms: Avolition & Alogia

Contrast avolition and alogia

Answer 7

Avolition: Lack of motivation (e.g., neglects hygiene)
Alogia: Poverty of speech (short, empty replies)

Question 8

Negative Symptoms: Anhedonia & Flat Affect

How do these symptoms appear?

Answer 8

Anhedonia: No pleasure in hobbies
Flat affect: Monotone voice, blank facial expressions

Question 9

Catatonia & Echopraxia

Describe catatonic behaviour and echopraxia

Answer 9

Motor disturbances:
Immobility (“statue-like”) or
Repetitive movements
Echopraxia: Mimicking others’ actions

Question 10

Gender Differences

Compare schizophrenia diagnosis by gender.

Answer 10

Males: Earlier onset (16-20), often more severe
Females: Later onset (20-30), better prognosis

Question 11

Evaluation: Symptom Heterogeneity

Why is schizophrenia hard to diagnose?

Answer 11

Symptoms vary widely between patients
Negative symptoms mimic depression
Cultural bias in diagnosis (e.g., overdiagnosis in Black communities)