Schizophrenia: Introduction

Question 1

How prevalent is schizophrenia?

Answer 1

• affects about 15 of the population
• equally common in males and females
  -men get diagnosed around 16-25 whereas females diagnosed later between 25-35 approx

Question 2

Prognosis definition and prognosis of schiz (according to Bleuler)

Answer 2

• development of the disorder
• according to Bleuler’s (1978) longitudinal study of 2000 schizophrenics
  
  • symptoms are most sevre in early adulthood, during first 5 years of onset
    
    • 20% sow full recovery
    • 40% continue to suffer from symptoms and distress for the rest of their lives
    • 40% recover from only psotove symptoms

This implies a diagnosis of sz has poor predictive validity

Question 3

Name and outline 3 positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Answer 3

• Hallucinations: False sensory experiences that may not have any identifiable source. The most commonly reported types are auditory and visual. Less common are olfactory and tactile
• Delusions: false beliefs not based on evidence or fact that are very difficult to disprove. There are many types like grandeur, persecution and control
• Disorganised thinking and speech: This makes it hard to concentrate on anything. Thoughts to drift one thing to another although there will be no connection between them.

Question 4

Name two negative symptoms

Answer 4

• speech poverty
• avolition

Question 5

Describe avolition

Answer 5

lack of motivation to carry out a range of activities. Complete reduction of interests and desires as well as inability to initiate and persist in goal directed behvaiour.

Question 6

Describe flat effect

Answer 6

a redution or flattenting of emotion. The range and intensity of facial expressions, tone of voice and eye contact are reduced.

Question 7

Describe inappropriate affect

Answer 7

• Emotional expressions are unsuitable for the situation such as laughing at serious things

Question 8

Outline disorganised speech and thinking

Answer 8

This makes it hard to concenttare on anything. Thought drift from one thing to another . Words may also be jumbled or confused making it hard to for others to understand what is being said.