6/23/20091What do the voices in yourhead say?Chapter 12- Schizophrenia and Psychotic DisordersModule ObjectivesWhat is Schizophrenia?What are the features of Schizophrenia?– Positive and NegativeWhat are the different types of Schizophrenia?Stop and Think…How would you describe Schizophrenia?How would you describe a person with this disorder?6/23/20092Who has Schizophrenia?A middle-aged man walks the streets of New York with aluminum foil under his hat, so the Martians can’t read his mind.A young woman sits in her college classroom and hears the voice of God telling her she is a vile and disgusting person.You try to strike up a conversation with the supermarket bagger, but he stares at you vacantly and will say only one or two words in a flat, monotone voice.They ALL do! Most people think of Schizophrenia as a singular disorder. We will examine the different types of Schizophrenia and how they are not all the same.How disruptive is this disorder?Schizophrenia is a devastating disorder that has a tremendous impact almost every area of functioning.This disorder is characterized by a broad spectrum of cognitive and emotional dysfunctions, including:– Hallucinations– Delusions– Disorganized speech & behavior– Inappropriate emotions6/23/20093HistoryThe symptoms of this disorder have been examined throughout history, but it was not until 1908 that the name schizophrenia was introduced by Eugen Bleuler.Schizophrenia comes from the Greek words for split mind, which reflected Bleuler’s belief that underlying all the unusual behaviors was an associative splitting of the basic functions of personality.This phrasing (split mind) has contributed to a large misconception about Schizophrenia.Cognition, emotion and perception NOT multiple personality disorder!Stop and Think…What do we think about people with Schizophrenia? How would you feel if you were asked to show a person who was recently released from Trenton Psychiatric Hospital ?6/23/20094Society devalues and dehumanizes those with schizophrenia.People with these severe mental disorders are twice as likely to be harassed in public as people without schizophrenia (Berzinset al., 2003).These disorders not only effect the patient, but the people around them, like family and friends, both emotionally and financially“You are such a psycho!”This word is very common in our culture, but what does it mean?Schizophrenia is classified as a psychotic disorder. – These disorders are characterized by hallucinations and delusions, which involve a loss of contact with reality6/23/20095Stop and think…Are people with Schizophrenia accurately portrayed in our society?What preconceived images or ideas do you have about people with Schizophrenia?It’s important to understand the characteristics of this disorder because we constantly see distorted images.Characters on TV and in movies, as well as images in the media commonly depict this disorder inaccuratelyPeople with Schizophrenia are often portrayed as dangerous and violent6/23/20096Those who are mentally ill are less dangerous than the general population.In a study conducted by Northwestern Medical School, only 3 of 2122 contacts between police and citizens involved violent behavior by a mentally ill personAre people with Schizophrenia dangerous predators?Despite evidence to the contrary, people with Schizophrenia are still portrayed as dangerous and violent offenders.– Research shows that people with Schizophrenia are no more likely to commit homicide than others.However, more than 70% of T.V characters in prime-time dramas with schizophrenia are presented as violent– more than 1/5 depicted as murders.Symptoms of schizophrenia are divided into 2 categories, positive and negative.Positive symptoms:– hallucinations, delusions, racing thoughtsNegative symptoms:– apathy, lack of emotion, poor or non-existent social functioning6/23/20097Positive symptomsThese are additions and the more obvious signs of psychosis- not to be confused with happy.Delusions are a false, unshakable belief. – This symptom involves disorder of thought content and beliefs that are misrepresentations of reality.If you’re like most people, you have watched the beginning of the American idol season for one reason…you know where I’m going with this! Watch the following video clip and identify the delusion 6/23/20098This was not to poke fun at any person featured. BUT, it is a great illustrator of delusional thinkingRegardless of reality, many American Idol contestants refuse to accept the fact that they cannot sing. In fact, they believe they are exceptional performers…delusional.You might be Delusional if…A person who believes they are from the planet “Gwarnon” is delusionalA person who believes the flickering street light is sending him messages from the aliens is delusionalA person who believes the CIA, FBI, and mafia are “out to get him” is….Hi, Jesus Christ. Nice to meet you.There are several classifications of delusions.Delusions of Grandeur are the belief that you are more important than you are. – For example when you believe that you are very special or have special powers or abilities.– “I’m Napoleon” “I can cure cancer with my powers”6/23/20099Types of DelusionsA very common delusion effecting 1/3 of people with schizophrenia is the belief that others are “out to get them.” They believe they are being cheated, harassed, poisoned, or conspired against– These are called delusions of persecution(paranoid delusions) which can be the most disturbing for people with schizophrenia. I know what that means…Delusions of reference involve a person having a belief or perception that irrelevant, unrelated or innocuous things in the world are referring to them directly or have special personal significance. While watching a re-run of the Cosby show, Dan recognizes that Bill Cosby is speaking directly to him. These “messages” are a sign from God that something bad is about to happen. He must run and get as far as possible!6/23/200910Delusions of ReferenceDelusions of Reference– They feel that people on television or radio are talking about, or talking directly to them. – They believe the headlines or stories in newspapers are written especially for them – believing that events (even world events) have been deliberately contrived for them, or have special personal significanceDid you hear that?!Hallucinations are also positive symptoms of schizophrenia