Positive and negative symptoms of Schizophrenia

What is Schizophrenia [3 marks]

Schizophrenia is a mental illness whereby individuals fail to distinguish between reality and fantasy. It occurs in about 1% of the population and usually occurs late adolescence or early childhood.

Name and briefly outline two negative symptoms of schizophrenia. [2 marks]

Speech poverty - A reduction in the amount and quality of speech. May include a delay in verbal responses during conversation

Avolition - Severe loss of motivation to carry out everyday tasks (e.g. work, hobbies or personal care)

Results in lowered activity and unwillingness to carry out goal-directed behaviours

What is Schizophrenia [3 marks]

Schizophrenia is a mental illness whereby individuals fail to distinguish between reality and fantasy. It occurs in about 1% of the population and usually occurs late adolescence or early childhood.

Name and briefly outline two negative symptoms of schizophrenia. [2 marks]

Speech poverty - A reduction in the amount and quality of speech. May include a delay in verbal responses during conversation

Avolition - Severe loss of motivation to carry out everyday tasks (e.g. work, hobbies or personal care)

Results in lowered activity and unwillingness to carry out goal-directed behaviours

Name and briefly outline two positive symptom of schizophrenia. [2 marks]

Hallucinations in schizophrenia are false sensory experiences, like hearing voices or seeing things, that aren't actually present in reality.

Delusions - Beliefs that have no basis in reality. For example, paranoia (persecutory - feeling people are out to get you)

The stress-diathesis model as genetic vulnerability (family history of schizophrenia)interacts with stressful life events (Louise's father's recent death from cancer and moving out of family home to start a university course).