Summary #4 schizophrenia
= severe disorder that causes significant impairment in functioning characterized by oddities
in perception, thinking, action, sense of self, relating to self and others.
Schizo = split, phreina = mind.
split emotions, functions, cognitions. Weaker connections in the brain that make it hard
for schizophrenics to integrate information properly.
specific phases/episodes of delusions
hallmark is loss of all contact with reality (psychosis)
Epidemiology
0.5-1% in the population
Onset between 15-35 years, late adolescence – early/middle adulthood
Develops earlier in men
3:2 men to women ratio, males also get more severe forms
Male:female division may be explained by the protective properties of estrogen on
schizophrenia
may explain why women tend to show peaks of onset at times where the estrogen
levels drop
Occurs in all cultures
Course of schizophrenia
1. Prodromal symptoms
= slow deterioration from normal functioning to the delusional and dysfunctional
thinking characteristic of many schizophrenia forms. Takes place over an average of 5
years.
2. Active phase
= the stage in which an individual begins to show unambigious symptoms of
psychosis, incl. delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech & behavior. (= full
blown symptoms)
3. Residual symptoms
= the stage of psychosis when the individual ceases to show prominent signs of
positive symptoms.
28%: will stop showing symptoms after 1 or more active stage
22%: continue to show positive symptoms long term
50%: alternate between active and residual stages
relapse is relatively common
40-50% at some point fail to adhere to course of medication = + relapse, rehospitalization
Prognosis
Most sever/debilitating mental disorder
50-80% reoccur, shorter life expectancy, more diseases, stabilizes somewhat after 5-10 yrs.
Women get a better prognosis
Aging might reduce likelihood of episodes
Developing countries are less disabled by the disease (+ family support/- EE)
, Positive symptoms
Add some attribute to typical attributes of humans
Delusions
= erroneous beliefs that other people with the same background don’t share (‘wrong/false’).
Upheld despite contradictory evidence.
o Persecutory
o Delusions of reference
= feeling that one is addressed personally
o Grandiose
o Erotomania
= thinking someone is in love with them
o Nihilistic delusions
= feeling that the world is going to end
o Somatic delusions
= body is changed. E.g.; intestines are snakes
o Delusions of guilt and sin
= thinking that one committed a bad deed and that one is responsible
o Thought insertion
o Thought broadcasting delusion of being controlled
o Thought withdrawal
90% of schizophrenic patients experience delusions at least once.
Hallucinations (‘wander of mind’)
= seemingly real sensory experience occurring without external stimulus.
1. Auditory (75% of schizophrenics)
= severe disorder that causes significant impairment in functioning characterized by oddities
in perception, thinking, action, sense of self, relating to self and others.
Schizo = split, phreina = mind.
split emotions, functions, cognitions. Weaker connections in the brain that make it hard
for schizophrenics to integrate information properly.
specific phases/episodes of delusions
hallmark is loss of all contact with reality (psychosis)
Epidemiology
0.5-1% in the population
Onset between 15-35 years, late adolescence – early/middle adulthood
Develops earlier in men
3:2 men to women ratio, males also get more severe forms
Male:female division may be explained by the protective properties of estrogen on
schizophrenia
may explain why women tend to show peaks of onset at times where the estrogen
levels drop
Occurs in all cultures
Course of schizophrenia
1. Prodromal symptoms
= slow deterioration from normal functioning to the delusional and dysfunctional
thinking characteristic of many schizophrenia forms. Takes place over an average of 5
years.
2. Active phase
= the stage in which an individual begins to show unambigious symptoms of
psychosis, incl. delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech & behavior. (= full
blown symptoms)
3. Residual symptoms
= the stage of psychosis when the individual ceases to show prominent signs of
positive symptoms.
28%: will stop showing symptoms after 1 or more active stage
22%: continue to show positive symptoms long term
50%: alternate between active and residual stages
relapse is relatively common
40-50% at some point fail to adhere to course of medication = + relapse, rehospitalization
Prognosis
Most sever/debilitating mental disorder
50-80% reoccur, shorter life expectancy, more diseases, stabilizes somewhat after 5-10 yrs.
Women get a better prognosis
Aging might reduce likelihood of episodes
Developing countries are less disabled by the disease (+ family support/- EE)
, Positive symptoms
Add some attribute to typical attributes of humans
Delusions
= erroneous beliefs that other people with the same background don’t share (‘wrong/false’).
Upheld despite contradictory evidence.
o Persecutory
o Delusions of reference
= feeling that one is addressed personally
o Grandiose
o Erotomania
= thinking someone is in love with them
o Nihilistic delusions
= feeling that the world is going to end
o Somatic delusions
= body is changed. E.g.; intestines are snakes
o Delusions of guilt and sin
= thinking that one committed a bad deed and that one is responsible
o Thought insertion
o Thought broadcasting delusion of being controlled
o Thought withdrawal
90% of schizophrenic patients experience delusions at least once.
Hallucinations (‘wander of mind’)
= seemingly real sensory experience occurring without external stimulus.
1. Auditory (75% of schizophrenics)
