Schizophrenia Flashcards

Flashcards about Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia

A chronic and often lifelong mental disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, behavior, and emotional responsiveness.

Emil Kraepelin

Emphasized early onset and cognitive decline in 'dementia praecox'.

Eugen Bleuler

Introduced the term 'schizophrenia' and focused on breakdown in thinking, emotion, and behavior, identifying the 4 A’s: Affect, Associations, Ambivalence, and Autism.

Schizophrenia Definition

Disconnect from reality, often featuring delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking.

Global Prevalence of Schizophrenia

0.33%–0.75% in noninstitutionalized populations (~21 million worldwide)

Etiology of Schizophrenia

Interaction of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental factors.

Genetics in Schizophrenia

High familial and twin risk (10% in first-degree relatives; up to 50% in monozygotic twins).

Neurotransmitters in Schizophrenia

Dysregulation of dopamine, GABA, glutamate, and NMDA receptor function.

Brain Structures in Schizophrenia

Reduced volume in the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus; enlarged ventricles; cortical thinning; white matter abnormalities.

Prenatal and Birth Complications in Schizophrenia

Maternal infection, malnutrition, drug exposure, birth trauma.

Trauma and Stress in Schizophrenia

Childhood trauma, neglect, bullying, and early life adversity.

Cannabis Use and Schizophrenia

Early and frequent use increases risk and worsens outcomes via THC's psychotic effects.

Dopamine Hypothesis in Schizophrenia

Excess dopamine in subcortical areas (positive symptoms), and decreased dopamine in prefrontal cortex (negative symptoms).

Dopamine and Positive Symptoms

Hyperdopaminergic activity in mesolimbic pathway leads to hallucinations and delusions.

NMDA Hypofunction

Linked to cognitive and negative symptoms.

Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Hallucinations, delusions, formal thought disorder.

Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Blunted affect, anhedonia, avolition, alogia, asociality.

Cognitive Dysfunction

Memory, attention, reasoning, decision-making.

Positive Symptoms

Delusions, Hallucinations, Disorganized speech, Disorganized or catatonic behavior.

Negative Symptoms

Affective flattening, Alogia, Avolition, Anhedonia.

Cognitive Symptoms

Poor executive functioning, Difficulty focusing, Impaired working memory.

Diagnostic Tools

Clinical interview, history, neuropsychological testing, and ruling out organic causes.

DSM-5 Criteria for Schizophrenia

Requires ≥2 of the following for ≥1 month (with disturbance for ≥6 months): Delusions, Hallucinations, Disorganized speech, Disorganized or catatonic behavior, Negative symptoms

Pharmacologic Treatment

Antipsychotics (first-line): e.g., risperidone, olanzapine, clozapine (for treatment-resistant cases).

Psychosocial Interventions

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), Family therapy and psychoeducation, Social skills training.

Community Support

Case management, housing, and social integration services.

Precautions

Monitor for medication side effects, ensure safety during psychotic episodes, avoid overstimulation, be aware of co-occurring disorders.

Contraindications

Exercise caution with sensory stimulation, balance training, or unfamiliar environments during acute psychotic phases.