Schizophrenic Disorders

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

1.Disorganized thinking.

2.Disturbed Perceptions3.Inappropriate

Emotions and Actions

Disorganized Thinking

• The thinking of a person with Schizophrenia is fragmented and bizarre and distorted with false beliefs.

• Disorganized thinking comes from a breakdown in selective attention.- they cannot filter out information.

Delusions (false beliefs)

• Delusions of Persecution

• Delusions of Grandeur

Disturbed Perceptions

• hallucinations- sensory experiences without sensory stimulation.

Inappropriate Emotions and Actions

• Laugh at inappropriate times.

• Senseless, compulsive acts.

• Catatonia- motionless Waxy Flexibility

Positive vs. Negative Symptoms

Positive Symptoms•Presence of inappropriate symptoms•delusions•hallucinations•inappropriate emotions

Negative Symptoms•Absence of appropriate ones.•social withdrawal•apathy (decreased motivation)•poverty of speech (brief replies)•inability to experience pleasure

Case Study in Schizophrenia: Gerald

Case Study in Schizophrenia: Gerald

Positive Symptoms Negative Symptoms

Types of Schizophrenia

Disorganized Schizophrenia

• disorganized speech or behavior, or flat or inappropriate emotion.

Paranoid Schizophrenia

• preoccupation with delusions or hallucinations.

• Somebody is out to get me!!!!

Catatonic Schizophrenia

• Flat effect (showing no emotion)

• Waxy Flexibility (holding a position, like made of wax)

• parrot like repeating of another’s speech and movements

Again… Nature vs. Nurture

Possible Causes of Schizophrenia

Nature• Dopamine Hypothesis –

Suggests that an excess release of dopamine may be a cause

• deteriorated brain tissue• obesity prior to pregnancy• infection during second

trimester

Nurture• drug and/or alcohol abuse• stress• living in urban

environments

These are ONLY possible causes! Exact causes remain UNKNOWN!