Week 7 - Psychosis and Schizophrenia

Question 1

What are the main features of psychosis?

Answer 1

• loss of awareness of socially perceived (shared) reality
  a person cannot tell what is real and what is not real
• due to: schizophrenia, drug misuse, severe depression, neurological injury

Question 2

What are the main features of schizophrenia?

Answer 2

• delusional beliefs: a belief that can be seen as a misinterpretation of reality (thought broadcasting, grandeur etc.)
• hallucinations: hearing voices that others don’t hear (commenting, arguing, directing)
• withdrawal states (avolition): loss of energy and absence of interest in routine activities

Question 3

Schizophrenia: What are the positive symptoms - EXCESS COGNITION

Answer 3

• Hearing voices
• Delusions
• Disorganised speech - thoughts become fragmented

Question 4

Schizophrenia: What are the negative symptoms - DEFICITS IN BEHAVIOUR

Answer 4

• Avolition - loss of energy
• Poverty of speech
• Loss of pleasure
• Flat affect (not showing emotion)

Question 5

What are the three types of schizophrenia?

Answer 5

Disorganised:
- Content of speech disordered
- Behaviour not congruent with social cues

Catatonic:
- Apathy
- Withdrawal states

Paranoid
- Delusions prominent (especially persecutory)
- Hallucinations

Question 6

What are the bio, psycho and social factors that help us understand the causes of schizophrenia?

Answer 6

Biological:
- Genetics - GOTTESMAN
- Biochemistry (hormonal imbalance - excess dopamine = hallucinations)
- Neurology

Psycho-Social:
- Deprivation: low income, poor housing, homelessness
- Trauma
- Family Issues
- Sources of stress (long-term): job loss, bereavement, divorce

Question 7

What methods are involved in treating Psychotic Disorders?

Answer 7

Medical and Social Intervention (Outdated)
- Dopamine management drugs (issue: negative side effects)
- Institutionalisation (outdated - Bedlam)

Family Therapy
- Educative: all about CHANGING INTERACTIONS - not shouting/criticising behaviours, instead making statements about the behaviour that is being observed

Cognitive Therapy
- Self-monitoring for use of medication - noticing symptoms
- Managing/answering voices

Support Groups: Hearing Voices Networks