5.1.3 Schizophrenia

Question 1

What is Schizophrenia, the 4 domains considered?

Answer 1

A psychotic disorder where the individual may experience one or more domains: Hallucinations, Disordered Thinking, Grossly Disorganised/ Abnormal Motor Behaviour and Negative symptoms.

Question 2

What are Hallucinations?

Answer 2

Perception like experiences
Without an external stimulus
Vivid and clear
Full force and impact of normal perceptions
In-voluntary
May occur in any sensory modality

Question 3

What are Auditory hallucinations?

Answer 3

Most common type of hallucination
Experienced as voices usually
Either Familiar or Unfamiliar
Distinct from Individual’s own thoughts

Question 4

Hypnagogic vs Hypnopompic?

Answer 4

Hypnagogic = Hallucinations that occur while falling asleep
Hypnopompic = Hallucinations occurring when waking up

Question 5

Hallucinations + Culture?

Answer 5

Hallucinations can be normal in a religious way in some cultures

Question 6

What is Disorganised thinking?

Answer 6

Inferred from an individual’s speech
Switching from one topic to the other
Answers to Qs that may be slightly or completely unrelated
May be incomprehensible (‘Word Salad’)
Must be severe enough to substantially impair effective communication since its so common
Derailed thinking - going off track
Less severe = during Prodromal and Residual phases

Question 7

Disorganised Thinking and Culture links?

Answer 7

Differences between the culture of the psychiatrist and patient may be difficult due to different linguistic backgrounds