AP Psychology - Schizophrenia & Other Disorders Notes

Schizophrenia

  • Psychotic disorder affecting personal, social, and occupational functioning due to unusual perceptions, odd thoughts, disturbed emotions, and motor abnormalities.
  • Symptoms (must have for 1 month):
    • Delusions
    • Hallucinations
    • Disorganized speech
    • Abnormal motor activity (including catatonia)
    • Negative symptoms

Psychosis

  • Loss of contact with reality, often occurring in episodes.
  • Can be drug-induced or assisted (marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, hallucinogens).
  • Teenagers and young adults are at increased risk due to hormonal changes.

Positive Symptoms

  • Hallucinations: Perceiving sensory stimuli that others don't; vividly real, often negative content.
  • Delusions: Bizarre, unchanging beliefs even when proven incorrect.
    • Delusions of reference: Hidden messages are being sent to you.
    • Delusions of grandeur: Believing one is powerful or important.
    • Delusions of persecution: Believing others are plotting against you (most common).

Negative Symptoms

  • Characteristics taken away from a person’s personality.
  • Can be misinterpreted as depression or laziness.

Disorganized Speech/Thinking

  • Rapidly shifting from one topic to another.

Inappropriate Affect

  • Emotions unsuited to the situation.

Catatonia

  • Extreme psychomotor symptoms (stupor, rigidity, posturing).

Flat Affect

  • Withholding of emotions, diminished emotional expression.

Avolition

  • Apathy and inability to start or complete actions.

Schizophrenia Etiology (Cause)

  • Unknown exact cause; involves genetics, environment, neurobiology, and psychosocial stress.
  • Genetic Link: Identical twins have a higher likelihood (over 40%) compared to the general population (1%).
  • Dopamine Hypothesis: High dopamine levels may contribute to symptoms.
  • Diathesis-Stress Model: Predisposition + stress increases risk.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

  • Disabilities in brain functioning emerging at birth or early childhood.

Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Inability to focus, overactive and impulsive behavior.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

  • Deficiencies in communication/social interaction, repetitive behaviors/interests.
  • Varying levels of support needed (Levels 1-3).

Intellectual Disability (ID)

  • Below-average intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior (previously called mental retardation, IQ score of 70 or below).

Personality Disorders

  • Maladaptive thought/behavior patterns causing harm or illegality.
  • Impair social functioning.
  • DSM-V Clusters: A (Weird), B (Wild), C (Worried).

Cluster A

  • Odd or eccentric behaviors.
    • Paranoid: Distrust and suspiciousness.
    • Schizoid: Avoidance of social relationships.
    • Schizotypal: Discomfort in relationships, odd thinking.

Cluster B

  • Dramatic, emotional, or erratic behavior.
    • Antisocial (APD): Disregard for others' rights.
    • Borderline: Instability in relationships, self-image, mood.
    • Histrionic: Excessive emotionality, attention-seeking.
    • Narcissistic: Grandiosity, need for admiration, lack of empathy.

Cluster C

  • Anxious or fearful behavior.
    • Avoidant: Discomfort in social situations, sensitivity to criticism.
    • Dependent: Clinging, obedience, fear of separation.