8. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorder

Persecutory Delusions

Delusions that involve the belief that others are plotting to cause harm to the individual and that others are watching, harassing, or conspiring against them

• the most commonly experienced delusion

Grandiose Delusions

False beliefs that an individual is more important or powerful than they truly are

Delusions of Reference

Delusions that involve the belief that random events or comments made by others are directed towards the individual

Hallucinations

False perceptions that can occur in all sensory modalities

• auditory and verbal are the most common

Formal Thought Disorder

The disorganized thinking that is a common feature of individuals with schizophrenia

Loose Associations

Disorganized speech in which individuals may slip from one topic to another with little coherence

Catatonia

Disorganized behaviour that reveals psychomotor dysdunction

Prodromal Symptoms

Symptoms that exists before the acute phase

Residual Symptoms

Symptoms that exist after the acute phase

Schizoaffective Disorder

A disorder characterized by the combination of schizophrenia and a mood disorder

• psychotic and mood symptoms

Schizophreniform Disorder

Schizophrenia in which individuals meet criteria A, D, and E of the DSM-5 with symptoms that last only 1-6 months

Brief Psychotic Disorder

A disorder characterized by the suddent onset of delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behaviour, in which episodes last only 1 day to 1 month

Delusional Disorder

A disorder characterized by the symptom of experiencing only delusions, and no other psychotic symptoms, which lasts at least 1 month

Schizotypal Personality Disorder

A personality disorder (not psychotic) that involves a lifelong pattern of unusual behaviors and pathological personality traits

Chloropromazine (Thorazine)

A first generation typical antipsychotic drug that could reduce agitation, hallucinations, and delusions among individuals with schizophrenia

• from the phenothiazine drug class

Tardive Dyskinesia

A neurologial disorder of uncontrollable and repetitive movements that is a permanent side effect of typical antipsychotic drugs