Characteristics of schiz

• What is schizophrenia? 


  Mental health condition that can be treated but no known cure. It affects people in different ways, with symptoms involving problems with thinking, emotion or behaviour.
• What systems do doctors use to diagnose schizophrenia?

  ICD-11 (Europe and UK) and the DSM-5 (USA). Systems are regularly updated but can be biased, as they are based on western ideas of mental health.
• What are the 2 types of symptoms in schizophrenia, according to Schneider (1959)?

  Positive symptoms (Hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking) and negative symptoms (Alogia, flat affect, catatonic behaviour).
• What are positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

  They add to normal experiences like, hallucinations, disordered thinking and delusions.
• What are negative symptoms?

  Take away from normal experiences, like speaking less (Alogia), showing no emotion (Flat affect), or being stuck in strange positions (Catatonic behaviour).
• What is the prodromal phase of schizophrenia?

  Early warning phase before someone is diagnosed with schizophrenia. Symptoms can include losing interest in things, avoiding friends, not looking after yourself, feeling irritable, anxious or mildly depressed.
• Why prodromal symptoms not enough to diagnose schizophrenia? 


  Symptoms can occur in other illnesses
• How does culture affect the diagnosis and experience of schizophrenia?

  People from migrant and minority groups are more likely to develop schizophrenia, especially if they live in areas where few others share their background. Stress, discrimination and social isolation increase the risk. Misdiagnosis can occur when doctors do not understand cultural differences, such as spiritual or religious beliefs.
• What cultural related feature does the ICD now include?

  Section on culture related features to help doctors avoid misdiagnosis by considering cultural factors.
• What is the conclusion about schizophrenia?

  Complicated condition. that shows up differently in everyone. Doctors use diagnostic systems, but they may also consider cultural factors to ensure accurate diagnosis.