Psychosis

What is the key difference among psychotic disorders listed in the DSM-5?

The length of time symptoms are present, with some variation in symptoms.

What are the three classes of symptoms in schizophrenia?

• Positive symptoms

• Negative symptoms

• Disorganized symptoms

What are the two types of positive symptoms in schizophrenia?

• Delusions (bizarre or non-bizarre)

• Hallucinations (sensory experiences without stimuli)

List six common types of delusions in schizophrenia.

1. Of guilt or sin

2. Somatic - false sensations

3. Persecutory - accusing someone of something

4. Of reference - random meanings

5. Grandiose

6. Of being controlled

What are the five types of hallucinations?

• Auditory (most common)

• Visual

• Tactile

• Somatic

• Olfactory

What are five types of negative symptoms?

• Avolition - lack of motivation

• Alogia - reduction in quality of speech

• Anhedonia - inability to experience pleasure

• Affective flattening - inability to outwardly express emotion

• Asociality - reduced interest in remaining social

What are the four disorganized symptoms?

1. Inappropriate affect

2. Disorganized behaviour

3. Catatonia (including waxy flexibility)

4. Disorganized speech

What are the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia in the DSM-5?

• At least 2 or more symptoms (e.g., delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized/catatonic behaviour, negative symptoms) for 1 month, and

• At least one must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech

• Impaired functioning

• Continuous disturbance for 6 months, including prodromal symptoms

What are the three core causes of schizophrenia?

• Biological

• Psychosocial

• Substance use

What is the genetic risk of schizophrenia for monozygotic twins?

48%

What does the case of the Genain quadruplets illustrate?

Strong genetic component of schizophrenia with varying severity among siblings.

What brain abnormality is common in schizophrenia?

Larger ventricles and reduced brain matter volume.

How can viral infections contribute to schizophrenia?

Prenatal exposure to infections (e.g., flu, rubella) can increase risk through neuroinflammation.

What psychosocial factors are linked to schizophrenia?

• High stress

• Family conflict (high expressed emotion)

• Urban living

• Low income (sociogenic hypothesis)

• Social drift (social selection theory)

How does cannabis use relate to schizophrenia risk?

• Doubles risk

• Heavy use in young men increases risk 6x

• Can dysregulate dopamine pathways

Why do many people with schizophrenia smoke cigarettes?

Nicotine provides dopamine surges that temporarily relieve negative symptoms.

What are common biological treatments for schizophrenia?

• Antipsychotic medications (may cause tardive dyskinesia)

• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

What are examples of psychosocial treatments?

• Early intervention programs

• Social skills training

• CBT

• Community care (e.g., ACT teams)

What is the recurrence rate for schizophrenia?

50–80%

What factors are associated with better recovery outcomes?Early intervention and strong social support.

Early intervention and strong social support.

Avolition

- lack of motivation

Alogia

reduction in quality of speech

Anhedonia

inability to experience pleasure

Affective flattening

inability to outwardly express emotio

Asociality

reduced interest in remaining social