Understanding Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to schizophrenia and psychotic disorders, derived from lecture notes.

Schizophrenia

A chronic and severe mental health disorder characterized by disturbances in thought, perception, emotions, and behavior.

Hallucinations

False perceptions or sensory experiences that occur without an actual external stimulus, such as hearing voices or seeing things that aren't present.

Delusions

False beliefs that are strongly held despite evidence to the contrary, often seen in schizophrenia.

Positive Symptoms

Symptoms that are present in individuals with schizophrenia that should not be, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Negative Symptoms

Symptoms that reflect a decrease or absence of normal functions, such as flat affect, reduced speech, or lack of motivation.

Psychosis

A mental health condition characterized by a disconnection from reality, including hallucinations and delusions.

Downward Drift Theory

A theory suggesting that individuals may start in a higher socioeconomic class but drift downward over time due to the impact of mental illness.

Suicide Risk in Schizophrenia

The notable risk of suicidal behavior and ideation in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, making assessment critical.

Anticipatory Anxiety

A state of anxiety regarding future events or situations, often experienced by individuals post-trauma or post-discharge from an institutional setting.

Cognitive Tasks

Tasks that require the use of mental processes such as memory, attention, and problem-solving.

Halogia

An impairment characterized by a reduction in the quantity of speech, often observed in individuals with schizophrenia.

Avolition

A lack of motivation or inability to initiate and persist in activities, commonly seen in negative symptomatology of schizophrenia.

Perceptual Disturbances

An alteration in perception that impacts the way individuals experience and react to sensory information.

Disorganized Speech

A symptom of schizophrenia where thoughts are not logically connected, leading to incoherent communication.

Delusions of Grandeur

A type of delusion where the individual believes they possess extraordinary abilities or are someone of great importance.

Pseudohallucinations

Vivid perceptual experiences that are recognized by the individual as not being real, differentiating them from true hallucinations.

Research on Schizophrenia

Studies indicate that early intervention and treatment responsiveness are often associated with the level of social functioning prior to the onset of the disorder.