Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Related Disorders

What are the characteristics of psychotic disorders?

They include a specific constellation of symptoms such as positive and negative symptoms.

What are positive symptoms of psychotic disorders?

Hallucinations and delusions.

What are negative symptoms of psychotic disorders?

Lethargy, flat affect, and anhedonia.

Name one type of psychotic disorder.

Schizophrenia.

What is delusional disorder?

It involves one or more delusions for at least a month but not the full constellation of symptoms for schizophrenia.

What are common types of delusions in delusional disorder?

Erotomanic, grandiose, jealous, somatic, and persecutory.

What is the prognosis for delusional disorder?

Good for the first episode, especially when somatic delusions are evident.

What treatments are available for delusional disorder?

Antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

What is brief psychotic disorder?

A disorder that may be a precursor to schizophrenia, lasting more than a day but less than a month.

What are the symptoms of brief psychotic disorder?

Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and disorganized behavior.

What is the etiology of brief psychotic disorder?

It may involve genetic, inflammatory, neurological, and environmental factors.

What distinguishes schizophreniform disorder from schizophrenia?

Schizophreniform disorder lasts up to 1 month; if longer, it converts to schizophrenia.

What is the treatment for schizophreniform disorder?

Pharmacology and psychotherapy.

What is the main characteristic of schizophrenia?

Presence of two or more major signs of psychosis lasting more than 1 month.

What are the major signs of psychosis in schizophrenia?

Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and negative symptoms.

What factors contribute to the etiology of schizophrenia?

Genetics, subcortical dysfunction, and environmental stressors.

What is the prognosis for schizophrenia?

Chronic, with improved medications leading to somewhat better outcomes.

What treatments are available for schizophrenia?

Medication, psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, and cognitive training.

What is schizoaffective disorder?

Symptoms of schizophrenia along with major episodes of depression or mania.

What is the prognosis for schizoaffective disorder?

Chronic, with better outcomes than schizophrenia but worse than mood disorders.

What is substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder?

A consequence of substance use that induces psychotic symptoms.

What are the symptoms of catatonia?

Stupor, catalepsy, waxy flexibility, mutism, stereotypy, agitation, echolalia, and echopraxia.

What cultural considerations are important in psychotic disorders?

Beliefs about mental disorders and health disparities can affect outcomes.

What lifespan considerations are relevant for psychotic disorders?

Diagnosis often occurs in adolescence, affecting developmental milestones and leading to lifelong challenges.