Schizophrenia Overview and Symptoms

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Questions and Answers

What is the definition of schizophrenia?

Disconnect mind; lack of coherence in mental functioning (without normal linkage).

What is the most common age range for the diagnosis of schizophrenia?

Adolescence to early 20s.

What is the age of onset for males and females?

Males: 5-14 and Females: 15-25

Males: 15-24 and Females: 20-35 (correct)

Males: 25-35 and Females: 30-40

Males: 10-30 and Females: 20-40

What are the hallmark features of thought disorders?

Disturbed thinking and preoccupation with frightening inner experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Match the following definitions with their respective terms:

Delusion = Object turns into something Hallucination = Seeing something that isn't there Loose Association = Ideas presented with loose logical connections Word Salad = Random, senseless order of words Signup and view all the answers

What are the marked disturbances in thought disorders?

Affect, behavior, and social interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What are the hypotheses of schizophrenia occurrence?

Dopamine hypothesis, norepinephrine insufficiency, imbalance between dopamine and norepinephrine, abnormal glutamatergic and cholinergic processes, early brain injury. Signup and view all the answers

What are the warning signs leading to schizophrenia?

Social isolation, odd statements, increased paranoia, emotional numbness, hostility, and substance reliance. Signup and view all the answers

How long do symptoms of schizophrenia last?

At least 6 months. Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and movement disorders. Signup and view all the answers

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are associated with disruptions to normal emotions.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are the five subtypes of schizophrenia?

Paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, residual Signup and view all the answers

What are the benefits of atypical antipsychotic drugs?

Relieve both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and are less likely to cause distressing EPSs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of traditional antipsychotic drugs?

Block dopamine receptors Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Schizophrenia Overview

Schizophrenia is characterized by "disconnect mind," indicating disordered mental function without normal linkage.
Common diagnosis occurs between adolescence and early 20s, but can start as early as age 5 or as late as 40.
More than just a mental health issue, it's one of the most costly chronic illnesses due to late diagnosis and high treatment rates.

Age of Onset

Males typically exhibit symptoms between ages 15-24.
Females commonly show symptoms later, generally between ages 20-35.

Hallmarks of Thought Disorders

Disturbances in thinking adhere to social standards and often include disturbing inner experiences like hallucinations and delusions.

Delusions and Hallucinations

Delusions involve misinterpretations of reality; hallucinations are perceptions of things that aren't present.

Disturbances in Thought Disorders

Affect can be flat or inappropriate.
Behavior tends to be unpredictable or bizarre.
Social interactions may lead to increased isolation.

Hypotheses Regarding Schizophrenia Causes

Involves dopamine imbalances, norepinephrine insufficiency, abnormal glutamatergic and cholinergic processes, and potential early brain injuries.

Symptoms and Warning Signs

Symptoms can last a minimum of 6 months and include goal abandonment, eccentric behavior, and withdrawal from social activities.
Early warning signs: social withdrawal, odd beliefs, heightened paranoia, emotional numbness, substance reliance, unusual speech, inappropriate laughter, sleep disturbances, and neglect of hygiene.

Types of Symptoms

Positive symptoms reflect psychotic behaviors not observed in healthy individuals, including hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thoughts, and movement disorders.
Negative symptoms disrupt normal emotions and behaviors, potentially confused with other conditions like depression.

Types of Schizophrenia Symptoms

Positive include hallucinations (often auditory) and delusions (fixed false beliefs).
Negative symptoms manifest as flat affect, anhedonia, lack of initiative, and minimal communication.

Subtypes of Schizophrenia

Five established subtypes: paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, and residual.
The classification has been questioned due to poor reliability and stability in diagnoses.

Pharmacological Treatments

Antipsychotic medications manage acute symptoms, induce remission, stabilize condition, and prevent relapses.
Traditional antipsychotics primarily target hallucinations and delusions but carry risks of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and tardive dyskinesia.

Antipsychotic Action and Side Effects

Traditional antipsychotics function by blocking dopamine receptors, effective for positive symptoms.
Serious side effects can include EPS problems and tardive dyskinesia, while mild side effects might include dry mouth and blurred vision, often resolving with continued treatment.

Atypical Antipsychotics

These medications alleviate both positive and negative symptoms with a lower risk of distressing EPS.
Medications like Seroquel, Risperdal, Zyprexa, and Clozaril act on serotonin and dopamine pathways, effectively treating a wider range of symptoms with fewer side effects.

Clozapine (Clozaril)

Highly effective for treating psychotic symptoms, but risks agranulocytosis, necessitating regular white blood cell monitoring to ensure safety.

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Description

This quiz covers the key features of schizophrenia, including its age of onset and common symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. Understand the characteristics that distinguish thought disorders and the social implications of schizophrenia as a chronic illness.