Abnormal Psychology - Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

SMI stands for…

severe mental illness

Schizophrenia is a…

spectrum (like autism)

Who is Emil Kraepelin

He was the first to differentiate schizophrenia from manic-depressive psychosis.

Schizophrenia was previously known as…

dementia praecox.

Dementia

Progressive deterioration

Praecox

“early harvest”.

to denote early onset.

Who was Eugene Beuler?

He changed the name to schizophrenia to denote the splitting of personality’s FUNCTIONS.

NOT split PERSONALITY.

There is a pervasive impairment in a full range of functions (thoughts, feelings, perception, and behavior).

Medicated vs. unmedicated patients may give the impression of 2 different people.

How much of the population will develop schizophrenia? - TEST QUESTION

1%

History and Facts

Schizophrenia is one of the top 5 causes of disability among young adults.

Japan and Korea have replaced the term schizophrenia.

May be ‘caused’ by poverty.

Seen in all SES (socioeconomic status) groups, but more common in lower SES groups.

Debate over whether or not schizophrenia is a distinct disorder.

People with schizophrenia are mischaracterized as dangerous because of Hollywood portrayals. They are actually far more likely to be a VICTIM of crime than a perpetrator.

Gender Distribution of Schizophrenia - TEST QUESTION

Equal gender distribution.

Earlier onset in males and a better prognosis in females.

Men: 20-25

Women: 25-30. Show another peak at 45.

More severe in males and females with late onset.

Core Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Psychosis/psychotic. Including delusions or hallucinations (which are positive symptoms).

Delusion

False belief, misrepresentation of reality.

Hallucinations

A sensory experience without any input from the surrounding environment.

Almost always auditory.

“Beautiful Mind” movie had a visual hallucination, but the real person never did.