Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

A set of question-and-answer flashcards covering key definitions, historical context, symptom categories, related disorders, epidemiology, etiology, treatment, and prevention of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.

What core features characterize schizophrenia?

A broad spectrum of cognitive and emotional dysfunctions including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and inappropriate emotions.

Which psychiatrist coined the term "dementia praecox" and classified hebephrenic, catatonic, and paranoid types?

Emil Kraepelin.

Who introduced the term "schizophrenia" in 1911?

Eugen Bleuler.

What happened to the DSM-IV-TR schizophrenia subtypes (paranoid, catatonic, etc.) in DSM-5?

They were eliminated; DSM-5 no longer uses those subtype labels.

What are the three broad categories of schizophrenia symptoms?

Positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and disorganized symptoms.

Name two common types of delusions found in schizophrenia.

Delusions of grandeur and delusions of persecution.

Approximately what percentage of people with schizophrenia experience delusions?

About 70%.

What are hallucinations in the context of schizophrenia?

Sensory experiences without external stimuli that can involve any sense.

List five negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Avolition (apathy), alogia, anhedonia, affective flattening, and asociality.

"Word salad" is an example of which disorganized symptom category?

Loose associations, a form of disorganized speech.

How long must psychotic symptoms persist for a diagnosis of schizophreniform disorder?

Between 1 and 6 months.

What distinguishes schizoaffective disorder from schizophrenia?

Presence of major mood episodes in addition to psychotic symptoms, with psychosis occurring outside the mood episodes.

Which symptom category is largely absent in delusional disorder?

The broader positive and negative symptoms seen in schizophrenia.

Give three specific types of delusions classified in delusional disorder.

Erotomanic, grandiose, and persecutory (also jealous or somatic).

What is the worldwide lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia?

Approximately 0.2–1.5% (about 1% of the population).

Name the four phases in the longitudinal course of schizophrenia.

Premorbid, prodromal, active, and residual phases.

How does high expressed emotion (EE) in families affect schizophrenia?

High EE increases the risk of relapse.

Which neurotransmitter system is central to the classic dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia?

Overactivity of dopamine, especially at D2 receptors.

What common structural brain abnormality is observed in many patients with schizophrenia?

Enlarged ventricles accompanied by reduced brain tissue volume.

Give two examples of endophenotypes studied in schizophrenia genetics.

Smooth-pursuit eye-movement deficits and antisaccade eye-movement errors (also sustained-attention and emotion-identification problems).

Mention three factors associated with a good prognosis in schizophrenia.

Good premorbid functioning, acute onset, and being female (also later age of onset, good insight, consistent medication use, etc.).

What serious movement disorder can develop after long-term use of neuroleptics?

Tardive dyskinesia.

Name one typical and one atypical antipsychotic medication.

Typical: Thorazine or Haldol; Atypical: Clozaril, Risperdal, or Zyprexa.

What is the purpose of a token economy in psychosocial treatment for schizophrenia?

To reinforce and reward adaptive behaviors, enhancing social and daily-living skills.

What preventive strategy is recommended for children at high genetic risk for schizophrenia?

Provide a supportive, stable environment and early interventions during prodromal stages, such as social skills training.