Schizophrenia and Other Psychiatric Disorders

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and vocabulary related to schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders based on lecture notes.

Psychosis

Inability to differentiate between what is real and what is unreal.

Positive Symptoms

Add something to normal functions; overt expressions of unusual perceptions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Negative Symptoms

Reflect a loss or diminution of normal functions; absence of expected behaviors, emotions, and motivations.

Schizophrenia

A severe form of psychosis where individuals alternate between clear thinking and a distorted view of reality.

Catatonia

Disorganized behavior reflecting unresponsiveness to the environment.

Hallucinations

Perceptual experiences that occur without an actual stimulus; can affect any of the five senses.

Delusions

Ideas that an individual believes to be true but are highly unlikely or impossible.

Avolition

Inability to initiate or persist at common, goal-directed activities.

Cognitive Deficits

Deficits in basic cognitive processes, including attention, memory, and processing speed.

Schizophreniform Disorder

Symptoms of schizophrenia present for less than 6 months.

Schizoaffective Disorder

A mix of schizophrenia and a mood disorder.

Brief Psychotic Disorder

Sudden onset of symptoms lasting for up to a month.

Prognosis

Overall poor prognosis for schizophrenia even with treatment; high rates of re-hospitalization.

Biological Theories

Focus on genetic transmission and structural abnormalities in the brain related to schizophrenia.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter levels that contribute to positive and negative symptoms; excess levels lead to positive symptoms.

Antipsychotics

Medications that block dopamine receptors to reduce symptoms of schizophrenia.

Expressed Emotion

Intrusive, critical, and overly involved family dynamics associated with less recovery and more relapse.

Social Drift

The tendency to drift downward in social class due to symptoms of schizophrenia.