Schizophrenia A group of severe disorders characterized by… disorganized and delusional thinking disturbed perceptions inappropriate emotions and behaviors Often linked to the neurotransmitter dopamine

How Prevalent is Schizophrenia? About 1 in every 100 people are diagnosed with schizophrenia.

SymptomsOfSchizophrenia

Disorganized ThinkingDisorganized Thinking Fragmented, bizarre and distorted with false beliefs. Comes from a breakdown in selective attention (sensory adaptation) they cannot filter out information. Often causes……

Delusions (false beliefs) Delusions of Persecution Delusions of Grandeur

Disturbed Perceptions HallucinationsHallucinations –sensory experiences without sensory stimulation auditory –Most often are auditory –Can be visual or tactile (feeling something)

Inappropriate Emotions and Actions Laugh at inappropriate times. Flat Effect –no emotions Senseless, compulsive acts Word salad Catatonia –motionless Waxy Flexibility

Symptoms of Schizophrenia are put into one of two categories Positive SymptomsPositive Symptoms –When symptoms are present like hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior Negative SymptomsNegative Symptoms –When aspects of behavior are deficit or missing like apathy or lack of facial expression of emotions Positive Symptoms = Something is there Negative Symptoms = Something is absent

Types of Schizophrenia

Paranoid Schizophrenia preoccupation with paranoid delusions or hallucinations. –Somebody is out to get me!!!!

Disorganized Schizophrenia disorganized speech or behavior flat or inappropriate emotion Usually visibly disturbed Thought to have “gone mad”

Catatonic Schizophrenia Mostly catatonic effect Parrot like repeating of another’s speech and movements

Undifferentiated Schizophrenia Many and varied Symptoms. Doesn’t seem to fit with the other types

Causes of Schizophrenia Schizophrenia  Genetic Factors An identical twin has a 45-50% chance of having schizophrenia An identical twin has a 45-50% chance of having schizophrenia  Biochemical Imbalances Imbalances of dopamine Imbalances of dopamine Too many or too sensitive dopamine receptors Too many or too sensitive dopamine receptors  Brain Abnormalities