Schizophrenia and Trauma Overview

A collection of vocabulary terms and definitions related to schizophrenia, PTSD, trauma, and eating disorders.

Schizophrenia

A complex mental disorder characterized by a range of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional dysfunctions, with symptoms varying greatly among individuals.

Positive Symptoms

Symptoms that reflect an excess or distortion of normal functions, such as delusions and hallucinations.

Negative Symptoms

Symptoms that reflect a decrease or absence of normal functions, such as lack of motivation or emotional flatness.

Prodromal Phase

The initial phase of schizophrenia characterized by withdrawal and unclear communication.

Active Phase

The phase in which symptoms are present for at least one month.

Residual Phase

The phase marked by emotional flatness and lower functioning following the active phase.

PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.

Complex PTSD

A condition that includes core PTSD symptoms along with disturbances in self-organization, such as difficulties with emotional regulation.

Diathesis-stress model

A psychological theory explaining the onset of mental disorders as a result of genetic predisposition combined with environmental stressors.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapy that helps patients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.

Dissociation

A disconnection between a person's thoughts, memory, and sense of self, often occurring in response to trauma.

Amygdala Activation

The activation of the amygdala during threat responses, leading to fight or flight reactions like increased heart rate.

Negaive cognitions/mood

Dysfunctional thinking patterns, such as guilt or emotional numbness, that can be symptoms of PTSD.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, a treatment designed to alleviate distress associated with traumatic memories.

Eating Disorders

A range of psychological disorders characterized by unhealthy eating habits, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Avolition

A negative symptom of schizophrenia characterized by a lack of motivation to initiate and persist in activities.

Anorexia Nervosa

An eating disorder marked by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image leading to food restriction.

Bulimia Nervosa

An eating disorder characterized by recurrent binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting.

Binge Eating Disorder

An eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food without hunger.

Social Withdrawal

A negative symptom often seen in schizophrenia where individuals show a lack of interest in social interactions.

Racial Trauma

Chronic trauma responses triggered by experiences of racism, including depression and hypervigilance.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

A type of cognitive behavioral therapy specifically designed for PTSD that aims to help patients challenge unhelpful beliefs.

Supportive Therapy

A form of therapy focused on emotional support and the establishment of a therapeutic alliance, often used when direct confrontation of trauma is not feasible.