Understanding Schizophrenia and Borderline Personality Disorder

Core symptom of schizophrenia

Psychosis.

% of people without schizophrenia having slightly psychotic experiences

70%.

Difference between a hallucination and an illusion

Hallucination = false signal. Illusion = distorted but seen as false. (True)

Causes of negative symptoms in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia and its medication.

Do negative symptoms improve with time?

False.

Are people with schizophrenia in developed countries undertreated?

True.

When does schizophrenia begin?

In the second trimester of pregnancy.

Is schizophrenia called a 'developmental dementia'?

True.

Where are schizophrenia rates lowest and highest?

Lowest in Taiwan, highest in Ireland.

Concordance rate for identical twins

80%.

Example of 'environmental insult'

Childhood adversity and drug abuse.

Brain mass lost over 5 years with schizophrenia

4% per year, 20% in 5 years.

Are medication 'holidays' a good idea?

No, they don't help long-term functioning.

Are suicide rates higher for people with schizophrenia than depression?

Yes.

% relapsed after stopping meds in Gitlin study

96%.

What helped prevent schizophrenia in kids of 2 affected parents?

Low dose antipsychotics before a break.

% of violent crime from chronically mentally ill people

5%.

What happens to medication response over time?

High response at first, then it goes down.

Are long-acting injectables common in Europe with lower relapse?

True.

What happened to hippocampus size with exercise?

It increased in people with schizophrenia.

Do 50% of people with schizophrenia have nicotine use disorder?

True.

What does anosognosia mean?

Loss of insight into one's illness.

% of people who have BPD

3%.

Is manipulation a core feature of BPD?

False.

Why do people with BPD cut themselves?

To relieve or manage emotional pain — all of the above.

% of people with BPD who die by suicide

8-10%.

Is BPD treatable?

True.

Helpful therapy technique for distress

Holding an ice cube to distract from self-harm.

Is transference-focused therapy validated for BPD?

True.

How do people with BPD see neutral faces?

As angry or hostile.

What do brain scans show in BPD?

Overactive amygdala and underactive prefrontal cortex.

What should families do when a loved one has BPD?

All of the above — listen, validate, avoid heated talks.

Is relapse common in BPD?

True.

Is recovery from BPD a sprint?

False — it's a long process.

What is the podcast about?

People helping during an overdose and getting in trouble.

Who helped someone and got arrested?

Scotty Hatton and Scottie Wightman.

What law is supposed to protect helpers?

The Good Samaritan law.

What does the law protect against?

Drug possession charges if calling for help.

Why didn't the law help Scotty and Scottie?

They were charged with a different crime (wanton endangerment).

What drug was involved?

Fentanyl.

Why are people afraid to help now?

They might get arrested.

What big question does the episode ask?

Does the law really help people do the right thing?

What does the story show about health and justice?

They don't always work together.

What's the main message?

Helping someone shouldn't get you in trouble.