5.11 class

Overview of Class Discussion on Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders

Group Work: Students are organized into groups, each assigned a specific disorder from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual).
Each group discusses the diagnostic criteria, specifiers, and severity of their assigned disorder.
Students are encouraged to write down their findings, fostering engagement and retention of information.
A culminating activity involves submitting group findings to compile a cohesive study guide.

Written Retention: Emphasis on writing and discussing diagnostic details to aid memory retention. The instructor shares personal learning preferences that align with hands-on and writing methodologies.
Peer Learning: Group discussions allow for shared knowledge and a deeper understanding of complex criteria among peers.

Defined by symptoms lasting a significant duration with various subtypes defined through symptom specifications.
Diagnostic Criteria: At least two of the following must be present: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, negative symptoms.
Specifiers and Severity: Duration and impact on the individual’s life are key components for diagnosis and treatment planning. The DSM specifies various course specifiers based on symptom severity and duration.

Presents fixed beliefs not amenable to change even in the face of contradictory evidence; must last at least one month.
Specifiers: Various types (e.g., paranoid, referential) indicate specific content of delusions.
Severity: Evaluated through diagnostic tools that assess function and symptomatology.

Characterized by sudden onset of psychotic symptoms lasting at least one day but less than one month, often related to significant stressors.
Cultural Considerations: Important to differentiate between culturally sanctioned beliefs and psychotic symptoms to avoid misdiagnosis.

Marked by the presence of mood disorder episodes (depression or mania) alongside schizophrenia symptoms.
Severity and Specifiers: Evaluations similar to schizophrenia with additional attention to mood disorder components.

Diagnosis requires evidence that the psychotic symptoms arise directly from a medical condition or substance use.
Symptoms must be evaluated within the context of possible medical explanations to ensure accurate diagnosis.

The instructor emphasizes clarity during discussions, encouraging students to present findings succinctly.
Importance of understanding DSM criteria on a deeper level is highlighted to ensure proper application in clinical practice.
Encouragement for students to use resources such as Grammarly for writing improvement and adherence to APA standards noted.