Schizophrenia

Chapter 13

Psychosis

State in which a person loses contact with reality.

Lifetime prevalence of psychosis

1%.

SES

Socioeconomic status; more frequent in lower levels.

Positive Symptoms

Psychological excesses, such as delusions and hallucinations.

Delusions

Firmly held beliefs contrary to reality that are resistant to disconfirming evidence.

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences in the absence of stimulation.

Disorganized thinking

Inability to think clearly, characterized by loose associations and other disturbances.

Inappropriate affect

Emotional expression that is unsuitable for the situation.

Avolition

Lack of motivation, leading to apathy.

Alogia

Reduction in speech.

Anhedonia

Inability to experience pleasure.

Flat affect

Exhibits little or no affect in face or voice.

Asociality

Inability to form close personal relationships.

Negative symptoms

Behavioral deficits that predict poor quality of life post hospitalization.

Catatonia

Pattern of extreme psychomotor symptoms.

Stupor

Motionless or silent for long periods of time.

Rigidity

Maintaining a rigid, upright posture for hours.

Posturing

Assuming awkward, bizarre positions for long periods of time.

Excitement

Wild movement of limbs.

DSM-5 Criteria

2 or more symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech for at least 1 month.

Disorganized or catatonic behavior

Symptom category in schizophrenia diagnosis.

Declining social and occupational functioning

A sign of disturbance lasting at least 6 months.

Subtype classification changes

Subtypes existed in DSM-4 but no longer exist in DSM-5.

Lifetime expectancy for individuals with psychosis

10-20 years less than the average.

Psychotic disorders prevalence by gender

Equal numbers of men and women affected.

Psychotropic medication for positive symptoms

Antipsychotic meds are particularly helpful.

Negative symptoms prognosis

Predict poor outcomes for quality of life after hospitalization.

Psychotic disorder hallmark

Major disturbances in personal, social, and occupational functioning.

Sense of reality

Significantly altered in individuals experiencing psychosis.

Symptoms duration for diagnosis

Signs must persist for at least 6 months.

Cognitive symptoms

May include disorganized thinking and memory issues.

Functional impairment

Necessary factor for psychosis diagnosis.

Echolalia

Repeating others' speech, related to disorganized behavior.

Delusional disorder

Includes the presence of delusions without other major psychotic symptoms.

Schizoaffective disorder

Features symptoms of both schizophrenia and mood disorder.

Social withdrawal

Common among individuals with psychosocial deficits.

Behavioral disorganization

May interfere with daily functioning.

Auditory hallucinations

Hearing voices that comment or argue.

Visual hallucinations

Seeing things that are not present.

Paranoid delusions

Belief that one is being persecuted or targeted.

Fixed delusions

Delusions that are strongly maintained despite evidence to the contrary.

Sensory processing distortion

Altered perception and interpretation of sensory data.

Functional consequences of negative symptoms

Often leads to decreased ability to engage in social or work-related activities.

Assessment for psychotic symptoms

Requires careful clinical diagnosis and evaluation.

Psychiatrists' role

Professionals who diagnose and treat psychotic disorders.

Impact of socioeconomic factors

Lower SES leads to higher incidence of psychosis.

Manifestations of psychotic disorders

Can include both behavioral and emotional symptoms.

Epidemiology of schizophrenia

Studying prevalence and incidence across populations.

Neurobiological underpinnings

Research suggests brain abnormalities may contribute to psychosis.

Positive symptom examples

Include delusions and hallucinations.

Negative symptom examples

Include flat affect and avolition.

Disorganized speech symptoms

Incoherence and difficulties organizing thoughts.

Hallucinations types

Can include auditory, visual, olfactory, gustatory, and tactile.

Psychotic episode duration

A single episode can last weeks to months.

Assessment tools for psychosis

Include clinical interviews and behavioral assessments.

Support systems for recovery

Build around social interactions and psychotherapeutic interventions.

Long-term care for schizophrenia

Often requires comprehensive treatment plans.

Polypharmacy concerns in treatment

Involves using multiple medications to manage symptoms.

Family dynamics in treatment

Crucial for supporting individuals with psychotic disorders.

Living with schizophrenia

Challenges include stigma and misunderstanding.

Recovery-oriented approaches

Focus on individual strengths and community integration.

Early intervention significance

Critical for better long-term outcomes.

Functional recovery goals

Aim to improve daily living and social skills.

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Useful in addressing distorted thinking patterns.

Psychotic symptom management strategies

Include medication, therapy, and support networks.

Coping strategies for individuals

Can help manage symptoms and enhance quality of life.

Role of case management

Facilitates access to treatment and support services.

Integration of medical and psychological care

Critical for managing complex needs of individuals.

Community resources utilization

Essential for holistic recovery process.