DOC PREVIEW
KU PSYC 350 - Psych_350____schizophrenia
Pages 3

This preview shows page 1 out of 3 pages.

Save
View full document
View full document
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 3 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience
Premium Document
Do you want full access? Go Premium and unlock all 3 pages.
Access to all documents
Download any document
Ad free experience

Unformatted text preview:

Schizophrenia: Description- Term literally means “split mind” – confusion with Dissociative Identity Disorder- Bleuler (Swiss psychiatrist) coined term in 1911. Observation of “split” between thoughts & feelings, also between different thoughts (loose associations). These splits are known collectively as formal thought disorder.- The hallmark of the disorder is psychosis – a split with reality. Delusions and hallucinations are the two varieties of psychosis.- Delusions – beliefs that don’t conform with reality (Ex.: delusions of grandeur, persecution, reference, thought broadcasting, etc.)- Hallucinations – perceptions that don’t conform with reality (all 5 primary sensory modalities may be affected).- Language disturbances – e.g., disorganized speech, neologisms- Goal-directed behavior – impaired logical sequencingDiagnostic Criteria:A. Two or more of the following for at least one month:1. Delusions2. Hallucinations3. Disorganized speech4. Grossly disorganized behavior5. Stupor (catatonia)/flat affect[ Note: Only 1 of the above is required if auditory hallucinations or “bizarre delusions”]B. Six months of some continuous signs of the disturbance (<6 mos = schizophreniform)C. Impaired functioningD. No obvious organic cause (e.g., not amphetamine psychosis)Schizophrenia is heterogeneous (i.e., symptoms vary dramatically across patients)- DSM-IV recognizes five distinct subtypes- Most useful distinction is between so-called positive versus negative symptomsOther Characteristics:1. Prevalence – about 1% of US adults (nearly 2 million)2. Occurs in virtually all known societies/cultures3. Slightly higher prevalence in males4. Median age of onset is 18 for males, 25 for females5. Low socioeconomic status: 3-8 times as likely to be diagnosedMedical (disease) Model of Schizophrenia:A. Genetic Evidence- Monozygotic concordance rate about 40-50%- Dizygotic concordance about 10%- Adoption studies – interaction of genetics & family environmentB. Disordered Brain Development- Maternal influenza during 2nd trimester of pregnancy- Maternal malnutrition- Low birth-weight- Subtle neurological deficits (eye-tracking, motor incoordination)- Excessive neural pruning during late adolescence?C. HypofrontalityD. Dopamine Hypothesis (increased cerebral dopamine activity)- All anti-psychotic drugs block DA transmission- Amphetamines increase DA transmission (and cause psychosis at high doses)- Parkinsonian patients (low DA) don’t get schizophrenia- Overall, model helpful but too simplistic. DA has complex interactions with other transmitters & peptides in brain. - Important new finding links DA with loss of glutamate NMDA receptorsE. Disordered Lipid Metabolism in Brain- Excessive breakdown (oxidation) of lipids in neuron membrane- Reduced transport of lipids into neuron membrane- EPA form of omega-3 helps corrects both problems above!F. Medical Treatment- Neuroleptic drugs (Haldol, Thorazine, Melloril, etc.)- Novel antipsychotic drugs (Clozaril, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Geodon, Risperdol)- 80-90% achieve some response (reduced psychosis)- only 5% recover and stay fully remitted for 7 years- Side effects: weight gain, sedation, motor spasmsPsychoanalytic Model:- Weakly developed ego, psychosis = intrusion of material from id & superego- Cause = “schizophrenogenic mother”- Psychoanalysis as treatment = no evidence for effectivenessCognitive-Behavioral Model- Focus on specific behaviors associated with schizophrenia- Moderately successful for functional deficits, not for psychosesFamily Therapy- “Expressed Emotion” from family (critical & emotionally overinvolved)- Reduces relapse


View Full Document

KU PSYC 350 - Psych_350____schizophrenia

Course: Psyc 350-
Pages: 3
Download Psych_350____schizophrenia
Our administrator received your request to download this document. We will send you the file to your email shortly.
Loading Unlocking...
Login

Join to view Psych_350____schizophrenia and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or
We will never post anything without your permission.
Don't have an account?
Sign Up

Join to view Psych_350____schizophrenia 2 2 and access 3M+ class-specific study document.

or

By creating an account you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Of Use

Already a member?