Signs and Symptons

• Under DSM-IVR (Diagnostic Statistical Manual) the diagnosis of schizophrenia requires

  -at least a one-month duration of 2 or more positive symptoms.
• define SZ

  -mental disorder characterised by disruptions in thought processes perceptions emotional responsiveness and social interactions
• what is the difference between positive and negative symptoms

  -P: are ones which are present in schizophrenics but not in ‘normal’ people,

  -N: can be found in people without schizophrenia but not in people with schizophrenia.
• Outline hallucinations

  -Hallucinations are positive clinical symptoms of schizophrenia and can be auditory or visual.

  -Visual hallucinations would involve the person seeing things or people which other people don’t see, so aren’t actually real.

  -Auditory hallucinations are when voices can be heard inside the persons head or as if being said by an actual person.

  -These voices may be threatening and abusive or order the sufferer to do something.
• What percentage of SZ's experience AUDITORY hallucinations

  -70%
• Outline delusions of grandeur

  -It is when an individual has a strong and mistaken belief that they have an important mission, are in a position with lots of power or they are someone very important
• what is echolalia positive

  -involuntary repetition of words or phrases spoken by others
• what is catatonic behaviour

  -abnormal motor activity where a person may experience loss of motor skills or hyperactive motor activity
• what is affective flattening negative

  -significant reduction in emotional expression e.g monotone voice, minimal facial expressions
• anhedonia? negative

  -inability to experience pleasure or joy from activities that typically bring enjoyment
• avolition negative

  -reduction or inability to engage in goal directed behaviour
• social withdrawal negative

  -reduced interest in social interactions and activities leading to isolation