Module 51: Schizophrenia Abnormal Psychology Unit 13

Schizophrenia Schizophrenia: disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions and actions. It is a split from reality. Most dreaded psychological disorder. 1 in 100 people will develop schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia Disorganized Thinking Delusions: false beliefs, often of persecution or grandeur, that may accompany psychotic disorders. Those with schizophrenia do not have selective attention and are easily distracted. Experiences psychosis (our of touch with reality).

Schizophrenia Disturbed Perceptions Hallucinations: experiencing something that is not there. Schizophrenics usually hear hallucinations that insults them or gives them orders. The voices could tell them that they are bad and that they should harm themselves.

Schizophrenia Inappropriate Emotions and Actions Emotions do not match reality. Ex. May laugh when a relative dies. Sometimes may lapse into flat affect. Flat affect: a zombielike state of apparent apathy. May perform senseless, repetitive acts. Ex. May continually rub arm.

Schizophrenia Catatonia: state of unresponsiveness even while awake. Schizophrenics who experience catatonia may remain motionless for hours and then become agitated. During most severe times, those with schizophrenia live in a private inner world, with illogical ideas, and unreal images.

Schizophrenia Positive symptoms: means that there is a presence of inappropriate behaviors. Ex. Hearing voices, suspiciousness, making up words with no meaning. Negative symptoms: means that there is an absence of behaviors. Ex. Expressionless faces, social withdrawal, can’t feel pleasure.

Types of Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a cluster of disorders. There are 5 types of schizophrenia: – Paranoid – Disorganized – Catatonic – Undifferentiated – Residual

Types of Schizophrenia Paranoid – delusions of grandeur, persecution, and reference. The delusions are usually elaborate and results from misinterpretation of reality. Ex. They may believe they speak to God or that they are world leaders (delusions of grandeur).

Types of Schizophrenia Paranoid schizophrenics may think that others are plotting against them (delusions of persecution). They can be a danger as they attempt to defend themselves against their imagined enemies. They think they are special and selected for greatness (delusions of reference).

Types of Schizophrenia Disorganized – incoherent speech, inappropriate mood, hallucinations, and delusional thought pattern. May make no sense when talking and act in a very bizarre way. Silly, childlike behavior is typical.

Types of Schizophrenia Catatonic – Immobility or excessive, purposeless movements. People suffering from this disorder might remain in one position. They may become “statues”, holding postures that would normally be impossible to maintain by others.

Types of Schizophrenia Undifferentiated – Simple schizophrenia. Marked by disturbances of thought or behavior and emotion that do not fit neatly into any of the other categories. May have one area of dysfunction and may be perfectly normal in every other aspect of life.

Types of Schizophrenia Residual – had a history of schizophrenia, but currently has no positive symptoms. May still have negative symptoms such as lack of desire to develop relationships, flat emotional expressions, limited speech, etc. Person may be in remission.

Explaining Schizophrenia Biological Reasons for Schizophrenia Too much dopamine may cause hallucinations and paranoia. Drugs that block dopamine lessen the symptoms, while drugs that increase (amphetamines, cocaine) intensify the symptoms.

Explaining Schizophrenia Biological Reasons for Schizophrenia Low frontal lobe functioning is common. PET scans reveal the thalamus was active during hallucinations. Also revealed that amydala (fear center) was active during paranoia episodes.

Explaining Schizophrenia Biological Reasons for Schizophrenia Shrinkage of cerebral tissue associated with schizophrenia. The greater the shrinkage, the more severe the disorder. Schizophrenia involves multiple areas of the brain!

Explaining Schizophrenia What causes these brain abnormalities? Problems during pregnancy. Low birth weight. Malnutrition during pregnancy. Viral infections (flu) during pregnancy, especially during first two trimesters.

Explaining Schizophrenia Are there genetic factors? Normal odds: 1 in 100 Odds if sibling or parent has schizophrenia: 1 in 10 Identical twin has it: 1 in 2 Adopted children: No link if adopted parent has it. There are genetic factors!

Explaining Schizophrenia No environmental factors contribute to schizophrenia. Early warning signs: – Mother with long-lasting schizophrenia. – Birth complications – Short attention span – Poor muscle coordination – Poor peer relations and solo play