Section 1: Diagnosis and Classification of Schizophrenia
Psychologists use the DSM and ICD to diagnose a patient with
schizophrenia.
In order to diagnose Schizophrenia, the Mental Health Profession
developed the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) still used today
as a method of classifying mental disorders (particularly in the USA).
It is also used as a basis for the ICD (International Classification of
Diseases) used by the World Health Organisation in classifying all
disorders (mental and physical).
Note: you may come across the terms DSM-IV and ICD-10. These
refer to the latest editions of the two classification systems.
Positive Symptoms
an excess or distortion of normal functions: including
hallucinations and delusions.
Positive symptoms are an excess or distortion of normal functions, for
example, hallucinations, delusions and thought disturbances such as
thought insertion.
AO1
• Hallucinations are usually auditory or visual perceptions of things
that are not present. Imagined stimuli could involve any of the senses.
Voices are usually heard coming from outside the person’s head giving
instructions on how to behave.
• Delusions are false beliefs. Usually, the person has convinced
him/herself that he/she is someone powerful or important, such as
Jesus Christ, the Queen (e.g. Delusions of Grandeur). There are also
delusions of being paranoid, worrying that people are out to get them.
• Psychomotor Disturbances: Stereotypical - Rocking backwards and
forwards, twitches, & repetitive behaviours. Catatonia- staying in
position for hours/days on end, cut off from the world.
Negative Symptoms
where normal functions are limited: including speech poverty and
avolition.
Negative symptoms are a diminution or loss of normal functions such
as psychomotor disturbances, lack of volition, disturbances of mood
and thought disorders.
AO1
• Thought disorder in which there are breaks in the train of thought
Psychologists use the DSM and ICD to diagnose a patient with
schizophrenia.
In order to diagnose Schizophrenia, the Mental Health Profession
developed the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) still used today
as a method of classifying mental disorders (particularly in the USA).
It is also used as a basis for the ICD (International Classification of
Diseases) used by the World Health Organisation in classifying all
disorders (mental and physical).
Note: you may come across the terms DSM-IV and ICD-10. These
refer to the latest editions of the two classification systems.
Positive Symptoms
an excess or distortion of normal functions: including
hallucinations and delusions.
Positive symptoms are an excess or distortion of normal functions, for
example, hallucinations, delusions and thought disturbances such as
thought insertion.
AO1
• Hallucinations are usually auditory or visual perceptions of things
that are not present. Imagined stimuli could involve any of the senses.
Voices are usually heard coming from outside the person’s head giving
instructions on how to behave.
• Delusions are false beliefs. Usually, the person has convinced
him/herself that he/she is someone powerful or important, such as
Jesus Christ, the Queen (e.g. Delusions of Grandeur). There are also
delusions of being paranoid, worrying that people are out to get them.
• Psychomotor Disturbances: Stereotypical - Rocking backwards and
forwards, twitches, & repetitive behaviours. Catatonia- staying in
position for hours/days on end, cut off from the world.
Negative Symptoms
where normal functions are limited: including speech poverty and
avolition.
Negative symptoms are a diminution or loss of normal functions such
as psychomotor disturbances, lack of volition, disturbances of mood
and thought disorders.
AO1
• Thought disorder in which there are breaks in the train of thought
