Psychosis and Schizophrenia: Symptoms, Types, and Treatments

What is psychosis?

A loss of contact with objective reality.

What are the five identified symptoms of psychosis?

Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thoughts, disorganized speech, and disorganized behaviors.

What are the two types of delusions?

Bizarre (impossible) and non-bizarre (unlikely but possible).

What are hallucinations?

False perceptions attached to no true sensory input, impacting all five senses.

What is disorganized behavior?

Changes to one's motor behaviors, including agitated catatonia and stuporous catatonia.

What are negative symptoms of psychosis?

Absence of expected behaviors, including flat affect, avolition, alogia, and anhedonia.

What is schizophrenia?

A condition characterized by disordered thinking, delusions, hallucinations, and disordered behavior and emotions.

What is the prevalence of schizophrenia in the US?

1-2 percent lifetime prevalence with equal rates between men and women.

What is a delusional disorder?

A disorder where the primary symptom is delusions without other features associated with schizophrenia.

What is a brief psychotic disorder?

A sudden, short-term course of psychosis lasting less than 30 days.

What is the difference between schizophreniform disorder and schizophrenia?

Schizophreniform disorder has similar symptoms but lasts between 1 and 6 months.

What is schizoaffective disorder?

A combination of psychotic symptoms and mood-related symptoms, such as depressive or manic features.

What are the biological models of psychotic disorders?

They include genetic vulnerability, neurodevelopment in utero, and differences in brain structures.

What role does dopamine play in psychotic disorders?

… pathways are implicated, with typical antipsychotic medications reducing dopamine levels.

What is tardive dyskinesia?

A side effect of antipsychotic medications characterized by involuntary movements.

What is the focus of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for psychosis?

Improving functioning, decreasing stress, and helping clients reinterpret hallucinations.

How do sociocultural factors influence psychotic disorders?

impact the reception and response to psychotic symptoms.

What is the treatment approach for psychotic disorders?

Chronic illness management with antipsychotic medications, CBT, and a multi-perspective team-based approach.

What is flat affect?

Diminished emotional expression seen in negative symptoms of psychosis.

What is avolition?

Lack of will and lack of interest in purposeful activities.

What is alogia?

Diminished speech output, often seen in negative symptoms.

What is anhedonia?

Lack of pleasure or decreased ability to experience pleasure.

What characterizes the active phase of schizophrenia?

Presence of significant symptoms for at least one month.

What is the residual phase in schizophrenia?

The leftover symptoms after the active stage has receded.

What is the typical duration for symptoms to be present for schizophrenia diagnosis?

Symptoms must be present for a minimum of six months.

What is the significance of treatment delay in schizophrenia?

Many individuals seek treatment after a delay from the onset of first symptoms.