Schizophrenia

• What are positive symptoms in schizophrenia?

  They add to thinking and behavior.
• What are hallucinations?

  Sensory experiences of things that do not exist.
• How do hallucinations affect a person?

  They seem very real to the sufferer.
• What types of voices do people hear during hallucinations?

  Voices can be harsh, critical, or kind.
• What are delusions in schizophrenia?

  Persistent beliefs that are clearly untrue.
• What is paranoia in the context of delusions?

  Believing one is being persecuted or harmed.
• What is a delusion of grandeur?

  Believing one has power or special abilities.
• What is thought insertion?

  Believing thoughts are given by someone else.
• What is thought broadcasting?

  Believing others can hear one's thoughts.
• How does disordered thinking manifest in schizophrenia?

  Difficulty organizing thoughts and concentrating.
• What is 'word salad' in schizophrenia?

  Speech that is jumbled and incoherent.
• What are neologisms?

  Made-up words that have no meaning.
• How does disordered thinking affect memory and decision-making?

  Leads to poor working memory and decisions.
• What are negative symptoms in schizophrenia?

  When something is missing from normal behavior.
• What does 'blunting' refer to in emotional disturbance?

  Inappropriate emotional responses or lack of emotion.
• What are psychomotor disturbances in schizophrenia?

  Changes in movement and behavior patterns.
• How might some schizophrenics behave psychomotorically?

  They may become mute or overly excited.
• What is the significance of unusual postures in schizophrenia?

  They may hold unusual postures for hours.
• What does lack of volition refer to in schizophrenia?

  Loss of motivation and energy for activities.
• What is social withdrawal in schizophrenia?

  Avoiding contact with family and friends.
• What is apathy in the context of schizophrenia?

  Lack of interest in daily activities.
• How does lack of pleasure manifest in schizophrenia?

  Loss of enjoyment in everyday events.
• What did Carlsson (2000) find about dopamine release in people given amphetamines?

  Higher dopamine release in the basal ganglia
• What symptoms are more likely to be exhibited by people with higher dopamine release?

  Schizophrenic symptoms
• What did Seeman (1993) report about the density of D4 receptors in schizophrenics?

  Six times greater than non-schizophrenics
• How does increased sensitivity to neurotransmitters relate to psychotic symptoms?

  It leads to more psychotic symptoms
• What did Depatie & Lal (2001) find regarding drugs that increase dopamine production?

  They do not create schizophrenia symptoms
• What does the finding by Depatie & Lal (2001) suggest about excess dopamine?

  It is not the only explanation for schizophrenia
• What are the strengths of the neurotransmitter explanation of schizophrenia?

  • Objective measurement through brain scans
  • Scientific basis for understanding neurotransmitter roles
• What does the dopamine hypothesis ignore regarding schizophrenia?

  Individual differences like social situations
• Why is the neurotransmitter explanation of schizophrenia considered incomplete?

  It does not account for all causes of symptoms
• What was the concordance rate for MZ twins with severe schizophrenia according to Gottesman?

  75%
• What was the concordance rate for DZ twins with severe schizophrenia according to Gottesman?

  24%
• What does Gottesman's findings suggest about genetics and schizophrenia?

  Genetics are involved in schizophrenia development
• Which gene did Nkam find to be involved with attention problems in schizophrenic patients?

  DRD2 gene
• How does Nkam's research support the genetic explanation of schizophrenia?

  It shows DRD2 gene affects schizophrenia development
• What significant finding did Virgos report regarding the DRD2 gene?

  Frequency difference in schizophrenia patients
• What does Virgos' finding suggest about the DRD2 gene and schizophrenia?

  A defect may lead to susceptibility to schizophrenia
• What did Hickfine find about urban living and schizophrenia in African-Caribbean immigrants?

  8 to 10 times more likely to experience schizophrenia
• How does Hickfine's finding support the environmental explanation of schizophrenia?

  It shows urban stress contributes to schizophrenia