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What do family studies suggest about the development of schizophrenia?
What do family studies suggest about the development of schizophrenia?
What was the concordance rate for dizygotic twins in Gottesman & Shields' study?
What was the concordance rate for dizygotic twins in Gottesman & Shields' study?
Which type of study allows researchers to separate genetic influence from environmental influence?
Which type of study allows researchers to separate genetic influence from environmental influence?
What did Hilker et al. conclude about heritability in their twin study?
What did Hilker et al. conclude about heritability in their twin study?
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In the context of genetic linkage, how is schizophrenia categorized?
In the context of genetic linkage, how is schizophrenia categorized?
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What percentage of adoptees with a biological mother who has schizophrenia develop the disorder?
What percentage of adoptees with a biological mother who has schizophrenia develop the disorder?
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What impact do problems during cell division have in relation to schizophrenia?
What impact do problems during cell division have in relation to schizophrenia?
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Which of the following factors is NOT associated with the genetic explanation of schizophrenia?
Which of the following factors is NOT associated with the genetic explanation of schizophrenia?
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What was the primary aim of the study conducted by Sensky et al. (2000)?
What was the primary aim of the study conducted by Sensky et al. (2000)?
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Which of the following was a key feature of the CBT sessions in Sensky et al.'s study?
Which of the following was a key feature of the CBT sessions in Sensky et al.'s study?
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What improvement did the CBT group demonstrate at the 9-month follow-up assessment?
What improvement did the CBT group demonstrate at the 9-month follow-up assessment?
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What kind of assessment scales were used in Sensky et al.'s study?
What kind of assessment scales were used in Sensky et al.'s study?
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In the context of CBT for schizophrenia, what is an essential component of stress management?
In the context of CBT for schizophrenia, what is an essential component of stress management?
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What challenge does CBT face according to the evaluation of its use for schizophrenia?
What challenge does CBT face according to the evaluation of its use for schizophrenia?
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What symptom changes were observed immediately after the treatment period for both groups in the study?
What symptom changes were observed immediately after the treatment period for both groups in the study?
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How did CBT help clients deal with the effects of stigmatization linked to their diagnosis?
How did CBT help clients deal with the effects of stigmatization linked to their diagnosis?
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What psychological issue was observed in Cathy concerning the presence of Steve Martin?
What psychological issue was observed in Cathy concerning the presence of Steve Martin?
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What medication did Cathy find effective in alleviating her symptoms after years of struggle?
What medication did Cathy find effective in alleviating her symptoms after years of struggle?
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What was Cathy’s reaction to the side effects of the medication Haldol?
What was Cathy’s reaction to the side effects of the medication Haldol?
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Which neurotransmitter's receptors were targeted by typical antipsychotics developed in the 1950s?
Which neurotransmitter's receptors were targeted by typical antipsychotics developed in the 1950s?
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How did Cathy describe the psychiatric care she received over the long term?
How did Cathy describe the psychiatric care she received over the long term?
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Which antipsychotic medication did Cathy take that caused her to gain high cholesterol?
Which antipsychotic medication did Cathy take that caused her to gain high cholesterol?
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What was one of the major concerns Cathy had regarding her social interactions while taking Risperdal?
What was one of the major concerns Cathy had regarding her social interactions while taking Risperdal?
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In psychological terms, the beliefs held by individuals with schizophrenia that are resistant to counter-evidence are often referred to as what?
In psychological terms, the beliefs held by individuals with schizophrenia that are resistant to counter-evidence are often referred to as what?
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What treatment approach focuses on the biochemical aspects of schizophrenia?
What treatment approach focuses on the biochemical aspects of schizophrenia?
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What role do check-ups play in the management of antipsychotic medication?
What role do check-ups play in the management of antipsychotic medication?
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What is a common side effect associated with taking atypical antipsychotics?
What is a common side effect associated with taking atypical antipsychotics?
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What was Cathy’s primary emotional state that worsened her situation during college?
What was Cathy’s primary emotional state that worsened her situation during college?
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What cognitive error is commonly exhibited by individuals with schizophrenia regarding new information?
What cognitive error is commonly exhibited by individuals with schizophrenia regarding new information?
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What perspective challenges the reductionist view in understanding schizophrenia?
What perspective challenges the reductionist view in understanding schizophrenia?
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What role does the COMT gene play in the development of schizophrenia?
What role does the COMT gene play in the development of schizophrenia?
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What is primarily associated with the symptoms of schizophrenia according to the dopamine hypothesis?
What is primarily associated with the symptoms of schizophrenia according to the dopamine hypothesis?
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Which region of the brain is mentioned as being linked to language impairment due to excess dopamine?
Which region of the brain is mentioned as being linked to language impairment due to excess dopamine?
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What does the term 'nature reductionism' refer to in relation to genetic explanations of schizophrenia?
What does the term 'nature reductionism' refer to in relation to genetic explanations of schizophrenia?
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What was the key finding from Lindstrom et al.'s drug trials regarding L-DOPA and schizophrenia?
What was the key finding from Lindstrom et al.'s drug trials regarding L-DOPA and schizophrenia?
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What symptom is most likely linked to excessive dopamine activity in the striatum according to the dopamine hypothesis?
What symptom is most likely linked to excessive dopamine activity in the striatum according to the dopamine hypothesis?
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What cognitive error involves the inability to discern between one’s own thoughts and external auditory stimuli?
What cognitive error involves the inability to discern between one’s own thoughts and external auditory stimuli?
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How does impaired Theory of Mind (ToM) affect individuals with schizophrenia?
How does impaired Theory of Mind (ToM) affect individuals with schizophrenia?
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What is one major drawback of reductionist views in explaining schizophrenia?
What is one major drawback of reductionist views in explaining schizophrenia?
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Which group of neurotransmitters does the DISC1 gene primarily interact with?
Which group of neurotransmitters does the DISC1 gene primarily interact with?
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Which type of studies provided evidence supporting the dopamine hypothesis through the examination of deceased individuals?
Which type of studies provided evidence supporting the dopamine hypothesis through the examination of deceased individuals?
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What condition is characterized by an unusually low level of dopamine and linked to motor function issues?
What condition is characterized by an unusually low level of dopamine and linked to motor function issues?
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What type of symptoms are linked to decreased dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia?
What type of symptoms are linked to decreased dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex in schizophrenia?
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Which cognitive error suggests that individuals with schizophrenia struggle with processing their own thoughts and messages?
Which cognitive error suggests that individuals with schizophrenia struggle with processing their own thoughts and messages?
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Which of the following is a biological explanation for symptoms in schizophrenia according to the dopamine hypothesis?
Which of the following is a biological explanation for symptoms in schizophrenia according to the dopamine hypothesis?
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What is a primary advantage of atypical antipsychotics compared to typical antipsychotics?
What is a primary advantage of atypical antipsychotics compared to typical antipsychotics?
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What percentage of individuals taking antipsychotic medication show no improvement?
What percentage of individuals taking antipsychotic medication show no improvement?
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Which of the following is a common side effect of ECT?
Which of the following is a common side effect of ECT?
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What is the typical frequency of ECT sessions during a treatment course?
What is the typical frequency of ECT sessions during a treatment course?
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One of the criticisms of ECT is its potential effect on which body system?
One of the criticisms of ECT is its potential effect on which body system?
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What role do longitudinal studies play in evaluating the biochemical treatment for schizophrenia?
What role do longitudinal studies play in evaluating the biochemical treatment for schizophrenia?
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What is a potential disadvantage of antipsychotic medication that can impact adherence?
What is a potential disadvantage of antipsychotic medication that can impact adherence?
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During the initial phase of CBT, what is an important process therapists engage in with the client?
During the initial phase of CBT, what is an important process therapists engage in with the client?
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Which of the following describes a psychological advantage of CBT for schizophrenia?
Which of the following describes a psychological advantage of CBT for schizophrenia?
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What type of schizophrenia symptoms does ECT particularly help treat?
What type of schizophrenia symptoms does ECT particularly help treat?
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What percentage of patients typically show major improvements when taking antipsychotic medication?
What percentage of patients typically show major improvements when taking antipsychotic medication?
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Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the action of antipsychotic medications?
Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the action of antipsychotic medications?
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What is the main goal of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for individuals with schizophrenia?
What is the main goal of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for individuals with schizophrenia?
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What is the primary function of antipsychotic medications?
What is the primary function of antipsychotic medications?
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Study Notes
Genetic Explanations of Schizophrenia
- Schizophrenia is believed to have a biological predisposition that can develop in late adolescence or early adulthood under extreme stress.
- Family studies show a higher likelihood of developing schizophrenia in relatives who are more closely related genetically.
- Twin studies, using data from the Danish Twin Register and the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register, found a heritability of 79% for schizophrenia, with concordance rates higher for monozygotic (identical) twins than dizygotic (fraternal) twins.
- Adoption studies comparing adoptees with schizophrenic biological mothers to control groups indicated a higher prevalence of schizophrenia in adoptees with schizophrenic biological mothers.
- Schizophrenia is a polygenic disorder, meaning multiple genes are involved. These genes are linked to proteins associated with neurotransmitter development, transport, and breakdown.
- Abnormalities in cell division (duplication or deletion of DNA) can also increase the risk of schizophrenia, referred to as "printing errors."
- Examples include DiGeorge syndrome, linked to a deletion of the COMT gene, which codes for an enzyme that breaks down dopamine, leading to imbalance, and DISC1, impacting GABA regulation and dopamine activity.
Biochemical Explanations of Schizophrenia: Dopamine Hypothesis
- The dopamine hypothesis suggests excessive dopamine activity is a contributing factor to schizophrenia.
- Excess dopamine is linked to positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) and specific brain regions (e.g., Broca's area and language impairment).
- Reduced dopamine activity in other areas (e.g., prefrontal cortex) is associated with negative symptoms (e.g., flattened affect).
- Drug trials show increased dopamine production leading to schizophrenic-like symptoms, like hallucinations, when given L-DOPA to increase dopamine production.
- Postmortem studies show a larger number of dopamine receptors in schizophrenic brains, and a deficiency of an enzyme responsible for dopamine breakdown.
- PET scans indicate that excessive dopamine activity is present in regions like the striatum, limbic system, and cortex, related to positive symptoms, and decreased dopamine activity in the prefrontal cortex linked to negative symptoms.
Psychological (Cognitive) Explanations of Schizophrenia
- Schizophrenia involves faulty mental processes.
- Frith's cognitive errors include:
- Errors in self-monitoring: Difficulty distinguishing internal (thoughts) from external stimuli (voices), explaining auditory hallucinations.
- Impaired Theory of Mind (ToM): Difficulty understanding others' mental states and intentions, leading to misinterpretations and persecutory delusions. ToM deficits are also linked to negative symptoms.
- Thinking errors and biases: Unable to update beliefs based on new information, leading to false conclusions, and strong resistance to contradictory evidence.
Treatment and Management of Schizophrenia
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Case Study of Cathy:*
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Cathy experienced worsening emotional problems, including hallucinations and delusions related to a male celebrity.
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This was accompanied by strange behaviors like throwing objects at the wall and disorganized thinking.
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Her treatment initially involved medication, typically antipsychotics (Haldol and Lithium), but these were associated with significant side effects.
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Cathy experienced relapses and periods of hospitalization, and various medications were tried, with varying effectiveness, until finding a more suitable one (Risperdal).
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Risperdal led to improvement but also caused side effects like sleepiness and social interaction problems.
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Biological Treatments:*
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Antipsychotic medications: Typically block dopamine or dopamine/serotonin receptors.
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Typical (1st generation): Primarily block dopamine receptors, effective against positive symptoms, but with severe side effects like Parkinsonian symptoms.
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Atypical (2nd generation): Block both dopamine and serotonin receptors, more effective against both positive and negative symptoms, with fewer, but still present side effects, including weight gain and sleepiness.
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Effectiveness is measured through randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
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Side effects of antipsychotics include extrapyramidal effects (e.g., tremors, rigidity), tardive dyskinesia, weight gain, and other physical issues.
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Medication adherence is essential to prevent relapse.
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Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT):*
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Utilizes brief electrical pulses to induce seizures.
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Administered in sessions and is currently often used unilaterally to reduce memory loss risks.
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Effective for acute episodes and some cases of catatonia, but comes with possible side effects.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)*
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A talking therapy that addresses faulty thoughts and reasoning underlying behaviors related to schizophrenia.
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Collaborative and goal-directed, helping clients understand their experiences and develop coping strategies, including stress management, psychoeducation, and social reconnection.
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Research suggests CBT can be helpful in reducing symptoms and improving long-term outcomes. Methods can include things like tracking voice experiences in diaries.
Effectiveness of Therapies
- RCTs show both CBT and antipsychotics can reduce symptoms.
- CBT appears to result in sustained symptom reduction after treatment, unlike befriending alone as studied in Senaky et al. (2000).
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Explore the genetic factors contributing to schizophrenia, including findings from family, twin, and adoption studies. This quiz will cover the heritability rates and polygenic nature of the disorder, shedding light on the complex genetic landscape of schizophrenia.
