Module 5.4c - Stress: Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders

Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders

A group of severe disorders characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate actions and emotions.

Psychotic Disorders

A group of disorders marked by irrational ideas, distorted perceptions, and a loss of contact with reality.

Schizophrenia

A psychological disorder characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and/or diminished, inappropriate emotional expression.

Positive Symptoms

The presence of inappropriate behavior.

Negative Symptoms

The absence of appropriate behaviors.

Chronic (Process) Schizophrenia

The disorder develops gradually and recovery is doubtful.

Acute (Reactive) Schizophrenia

The disorder's onset is sudden, often in reaction to a traumatic event, and possible recovery.

Hallucinations

False perceptions and sensory experiences without sensory stimulation.

Delusions

False beliefs.

Schizotypical Personality Disorder

A personality disorder characterized by extreme discomfort in close relationships, odd forms of thinking and perceiving, and behavioral eccentricities.

Paranoid Delusions

Delusions in which a person believes they are being threatened or pursued.

Word Salad

Jumbled ideas that make no sense, even formed in a sentence.

Flat Affect State

A state of no apparent feeling, emotionlessness.

Catalonia

Remain motionless for hours and then become agitated.

Catalonic Excitement

Compulsive movements, and restless agitation.

Catalonic Stupor

Motionlessness

Dopamine Hypothesis

The hypothesis that schizophrenia arises from an abnormally high level of activity in brain circuits that are sensitive to the neurotransmitter dopamine.