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?
What are the hallmark features of thought disorders?
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Match the following definitions with their respective terms:
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What are the marked disturbances in thought disorders?
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What are the hypotheses of schizophrenia occurrence?
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What are the warning signs leading to schizophrenia?
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How long do symptoms of schizophrenia last?
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What are examples of positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
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Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are associated with disruptions to normal emotions.
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What are the five subtypes of schizophrenia?
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What are the benefits of atypical antipsychotic drugs?
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What is the mechanism of action (MOA) of traditional antipsychotic drugs?
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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.
