Clinical 12 final

Chapter 12: Schizophrenia and Related Disorders

1. Schizophrenia Overview

• Presents a spectrum of symptoms that often coalesce into distinctive features. It is believed to be multiple disorders with overlapping characteristics.

2. Symptoms Categories

2.1 Positive Symptoms

• Characteristics: Excesses of thought, emotion, and behavior, including delusions and hallucinations.

  • Delusions: Firmly held false beliefs (persecution, reference, grandeur).

  • Disorganized Thinking: Tangential speech, loose associations may complicate communication.

2.2 Negative Symptoms

• Characteristics: Deficits of thought, emotion, and behavior, like lack of motivation and emotional flatness.

  • Symptoms include poverty of speech, social withdrawal, and blunted affect.

3. Cognitive and Psychomotor Symptoms

• Cognitive Impairments: Difficulty with memory attention and processing, common in schizophrenia patients.

• Psychomotor Symptoms: Abnormal movement patterns ranging from agitation to catatonia.

4. Course of Schizophrenia

• Typically emerges in late teens to mid-thirties with three phases:

  1. Prodromal: Subtle changes and withdrawal.

  2. Active Phase: Clear symptoms manifest.

  3. Residual Phase: Symptoms decrease but some negative symptoms persist.

5. Theoretical Perspectives on Schizophrenia

5.1 Biological Influences

• Genetic predisposition, neurotransmitter imbalances (particularly dopamine), and brain structure anomalies contribute to schizophrenia.

5.2 Psychological Views

• Historical theories suggest dysfunctional family environments or parenting styles may trigger symptoms in vulnerable individuals.

6. Treatment Options

• Antipsychotic Medications: Primarily dopamine antagonists, with both first and second-generation options available, offering relief from symptoms.

• Psychotherapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy, family interventions, and community-based approaches operate alongside pharmacological treatments to enhance functioning and reduce relapse risk.