Biological therapies

• What is a common symptom of schizophrenia related to thought differentiation?

  Paranoid delusions
• What does central control refer to in the context of schizophrenia?

  The cognitive ability to carry out a deliberate action while suppressing an automatic response
• How is central control often measured?

  Using the Stroop Test
• What is the main task in the Stroop Test?

  Identifying the color of each word
• Why do people with schizophrenia often experience derailment in conversation?

  They cannot suppress automatic associations that new words bring
• What did Stirling et al (2006) find regarding schizophrenia sufferers and central control tasks?

  They made significantly more mistakes and took twice as long to complete the task
• What limitation is noted regarding dysfunctional thought processing in schizophrenia?

  It can only explain proximal causes, not distal causes of schizophrenia
• What is a significant weakness of psychological explanations for schizophrenia?

  They do not accommodate for biological factors
• What biological factors can explain the distal origins of schizophrenia?

  Dopamine levels, candidate genes, and neural correlates
• What is the concept of the schizophrenogenic mother?

  A historical observation of family dynamics that may contribute to schizophrenia
• What is a consequence of blaming families for schizophrenia?

  It can further hurt caregivers and disrupt family relationships
• What marked the popularity of community care in the 1980s?

  Parents refusing to take responsibility for their child's condition
• What are the two types of antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia?

  Typical and atypical antipsychotics
• How do antipsychotics function in the brain?

  They are dopamine antagonists that prevent dopamine from binding to receptors
• What is the effect of typical antipsychotics on neurotransmission?

  They result in a lower rate of action potential generation
• What is a main example of a typical antipsychotic?

  Chlorpromazine
• Why are atypical antipsychotics developed?

  To enhance effectiveness and reduce serious side effects of first-generation medications
• How do atypical antipsychotics differ from typical ones in their action?

  Atypical antipsychotics target additional neurotransmitter receptors
• What is a key advantage of Clozapine?

  Improvements in cognitive functioning and mood
• What serious side effect is associated with Clozapine?

  Agranulocytosis
• What is a key advantage of Risperidone?

  Smaller doses are required due to its stronger action on dopamine receptors
• What hypothesis was the development of antipsychotics based upon?

  The dopamine hypothesis
• What paradox exists regarding the dopamine hypothesis and antipsychotic use?

  Reducing dopamine levels should worsen symptoms according to the revised hypothesis
• What are the short-term side effects of typical antipsychotics?

  Agitation and weight gain
• What are the long-term risks associated with typical antipsychotics?

  Tardive dyskinesia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
• What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) characterized by?

  Fever, altered mental states, muscle rigidity, and autonomic dysfunction
• Why must Clozapine users be monitored with blood tests?

  To check for agranulocytosis
• What should be considered in a cost-benefit analysis for antipsychotic use?

  Whether the benefit of symptom reduction outweighs the cost of side effects
• What is a limitation of studies supporting antipsychotic use?

  They may measure sedative effects rather than actual symptom control
• What issue arises from drug companies' publication practices regarding antipsychotics?

  They often focus on short-term benefits rather than long-term risks
• What are the three main psychological therapies for schizophrenia?

  Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), family therapy, and token economy systems
• What is the initial step in cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for schizophrenia?

  An assessment of the patient's symptoms and problems
• What does CBT emphasize for patients with schizophrenia?

  The importance of understanding the causes of their symptoms
• How does CBT help patients with schizophrenia?

  It reassures them that they are not 'crazy' and reduces the effects of hallucinations or delusions