Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders(nurs 9222)

LaVelle Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders In-Class Questions 1. In your own words, what does it mean to have psychosis? A mental disorder in which a person’s thoughts are not normal and the person has lost touch with reality. 2. Does everyone who exhibits symptoms of psychosis have a psychotic disorder? Why/Why not? No not necessarily, a person with an infection such as a UTI can experience psychosis due to the infection and not actually have psychosis. 3. What is the difference between positive and negative symptoms? Positive (or hard) symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, and grossly disorganized thinking, speech, and behavior. Negative (or soft) symptoms include flat affect, lack of volition, and social withdrawal or discomfort. 4. Name a cognitive symptom of schizophrenia Impaired thinking, thought blocking or thought broadcasting, inability to focus and make decisions 5. Name an affective symptom of schizophrenia Flat affect (no facial expressions) and blunt affect (few facial expressions) 6. Name a behavioral symptom of schizophrenia Anhedonia (no pleasure or joy) 7. Share with the class what you have learned about the “social fall-out” a person with psychotic illness experiences A person with delusions might begin to mistrust and socially isolate themselves. They could physically attack or verbally attack family members, who might then become scared of the other. 8. Why is substance abuse so common in people who have schizophrenia? The person might not be financially able to purchase the medications needed for their diagnosis. So, they find alternative ways to self-medicate or this maybe a feeling for them that they would rather experience than their reality. The side effects could be also be part of that issue. 9. Share what you know about suicide risk in persons with schizophrenia Clients who are left untreated are at a higher risk for suicidal thoughts. The risk is higher for those who have actual plans for suicidal and have the items necessary for their plans. 10. What are some physical problems that are caused by the antipsychotic/neuroleptic medications [2 or 3 people]? Some physical side effects for these types of medication are Extrapyramidal Side Effects (EPSs): akathisia (restless movement), dystonia (acute muscular rigidity) and Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) a potential fatal muscular rigidity, Tardive dyskinesia (abnormal blinking, lip smacking, and tongue movement.