Overview
What is the "definition" of schizophrenia?
oddities in perception, thinking, action, sense of self, relating to others
What is schizoaffective disorder?
features of schizophrenia + severe mood disorder
How is a viral infection a prenatal exposure risk of developing schizophrenia?
flu triggers immune response resulting in increase in proinflammatory cytokines which can lead to brain abnormalities
How do "bad families" contribute to of schizophrenia?
*not* through bad parenting
family communication problems could be the result of trying to communicate with someone who is severely ill and disorganized
highly emotional family environments might be stressful to patients and trigger their symptoms
How might family therapy be effective in treating schizophrenia?
educate the patient and their families about schizophrenia
help them improve their coping and problem-solving skills
learn how to keep family communication clear
What is the definition of "psychosis?"
significant loss of contact with reality
What is schizophreniform disorder?
psychosis lasting 1 - 5 months
How is rhesus incompatibility a prenatal exposure risk of developing schizophrenia?
mismatch in blood; possible oxygen deprivation or risk of brain abnormality
How might immigration contribute to schizophrenia?
immigrants with darker skin have a much higher risk of developing schizophrenia
being discriminated against that could lead someone to develop a paranoid and suspicious outlook on the world, which could set the stage for schizophrenia
How might psychoeducation help treat schizophrenia?
Patients who receive psychoeducation in addition to standard treatment are less likely to relapse or be readmitted to the hospital than patients who only receive standard treatment
**include patients in their own care and increase their knowledge and understanding about their illness**
What are some risk factors of schizophrenia?
having a parent with schizophrenia
father 50+ years old @ time of conception/birth
parent working at a dry cleaner (??)
What is delusional disorder?
Holding false beliefs
What is the basal ganglia, and how might deficits contribute to schizophrenia?
helps us integrate sensory information
hallucinations & paranoia
How might cannabis use contribute to schizophrenia?
THC can trigger psychosis, increases dopamine in several areas of the brain
family history of schizophrenia may make people more sensitive to the psychosis-inducing effects of cannabis
cannabis might actually accelerate the progressive brain changes that seem to go along with schizophrenia
How might social-skills training help treat schizophrenia?
help patients develop the skills they need to function better on a day to day basis
employment skills, relationship skills, self-care skills, medication management skills
(helps patients acquire new skills, be more assertive, and improve their overall level of social functioning)
What are some positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
delusions (+)
- false belief, firmly held despite contradictory evidence
hallucinations (+)
- usually auditory; critical, bossy, abusive
disorganized speech (+)
- lacking sense when speaking
disorganized behavior (-)
- problems with goal-directed activity/executive function
other negative symptoms (-)
- lack of volition, affect
What is brief psychotic disorder?
Psychosis just for a few days
What is the frontal lobe, and how do deficits possibly contribute to schizophrenia?
helps us solve problems and reason
hard time planning actions/goals and organizing thoughts
How does the diathesis stress model explain schizophrenia?
emphasizes the interplay between genetic factors, prenatal events, brain maturational processes, and stress in the development of schizophrenia
!! schizophrenia is a genetically *influenced*, not genetically *determined*, disorder !!
How might cognitive remediation help schizophrenia?
help patients improve some of their neurocognitive deficits (problems with verbal memory, vigilance and attention, and executive functioning skills)