LECTURE NOTES - Chapter 11

Schizophrenia

A psychotic disorder characterized by major disturbances in thought, emotion, and behavior.

Positive Symptoms

Symptoms that represent an excess or distortion of normal functioning, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Negative Symptoms

Symptoms that reflect a decrease or absence of normal functions, including avolition and flat affect.

Comorbidity

The occurrence of two or more disorders or illnesses in the same person, such as depression or substance abuse along with schizophrenia.

Flat Affect

A lack of emotional expressiveness, often seen as a symptom in schizophrenia.

Avolition

A significant decrease in motivation to initiate and perform self-directed purposeful activities.

Delusions

Strongly held beliefs contrary to reality, commonly seen in schizophrenia.

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences that occur without any external stimuli, such as hearing voices or seeing things.

Disorganized Speech

A symptom where the person shows incoherence in speech and an inability to communicate effectively.

Catatonia

A state of unresponsiveness in which a person may exhibit unusual postures or excessive motor activity.

Mortality Rate in Schizophrenia

Individuals with schizophrenia have a life expectancy that is 20-25 years shorter than the general population.

Treatment for Schizophrenia

Includes psychotherapy, antipsychotic medications, and community-based interventions.

Expressed Emotion (EE)

A family communication style that is critical or emotionally over-involved, associated with higher relapse rates in schizophrenia.

Dopamine Hypothesis

The theory that the symptoms of schizophrenia are associated with increased dopamine activity in the brain.

Early Treatment

Associated with reductions in long-term disability for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Psychological treatment that aims to change patterns of thinking or behavior contributing to a patient’s difficulties.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

A model of community mental health service delivery that provides comprehensive, individualized services to clients.

Social Skills Training

A therapeutic approach designed to teach individuals with schizophrenia the skills needed for interpersonal interactions.