NRNP 6635 Exam – Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia - ANSWER a psychological disorder characterized by delusions,
hallucinations, disorganized speech,
... [Show More] and/or diminished inappropriate emotional
expression.
signs and symptoms of schizophrenia - ANSWER The signs and symptoms of
schizophrenia are traditionally separated into 2 groups: positive (delusions,
hallucinations, and disorganized speech or behavior) and negative (flat affect, avolition,
anhedonia, poor attention, and alogia).
Schizophrenia is associated with - ANSWER a decline in both cognitive and social
functioning that often precedes the development of florid psychosis.
Etiology of Schizophrenia - ANSWER The exact etiology of schizophrenia is
unknown, although it is thought to be linked to an increase in dopaminergic activity.
No single etiological factor is responsible for schizophrenia.
Treatment of Schizophrenia - ANSWER Treatment includes antipsychotics in
conjunction with behavioral therapy
.
Schizophrenia definition - ANSWER Schizophrenia is a chronic serious mental
disorder characterized by loss of contact with reality and manifested by two main
symptoms: hallucinations and delusions.
onset of schizophrenia - ANSWER Men and women are equally affected, but with a
slight difference in the age of onset Men: average age of onset = 23 years Women:
average age of onset = 26 years
Etiological factors of schizophrenia - ANSWER The disorder manifests when a
person with a genetic predisposition is exposed to one of many environmental
stressors.
- genetic predisposition
- environmental stressors
Environmental Stressors of Schizophrenia - ANSWER Environmental stressors are
believed to be triggers of schizophrenia rather than true causes of the disorder.
-Childhood trauma
- Residence in an urban area
- Social isolation
-Frequent cannabis use in early adolescence
- Migration
- Poverty
- Stress and psychosocial factors
- Birth in late winter or early spring
-Advanced paternal age at conception
Pathophysiology of schizophrenia part 1 - ANSWER Genetic and environmental risk
factors appear to act via a common pathway
of disrupting the function of 1 or more neurotransmitter components.
Dopaminergic theory: Almost all drugs with antipsychotic properties block the
dopaminergic D2 receptor.
However, antipsychotics are only 70% effective and clozapine, the most effective
antipsychotic for treating schizophrenia, is a weak D2 antagonist.
Hyperactivity of dopamine D2 receptor neurotransmission in subcortical, and limbic
brain regions contribute to the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. Hypo functionality of
dopamine D1 receptor neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex contributes to both
negative and cognitive symptoms.
Pathophysiology of schizophrenia part 2 - ANSWER Other theories:
Hypofunction of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor. Dysfunctional
gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) interneurons.
Dysfunctional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
Physical abnormalities of the brain in schizophrenia - ANSWER Patients with
schizophrenia also have physical abnormalities of the brain tissue, which can be seen in
neuroimaging studies.
Loss of cortical tissue volume, including the limbic system, prefrontal cortex, thalamus,
hippocampus, and amygdala.
Ventricular enlargement (third and lateral).
Decreased symmetry.
Hypoactivity of the frontal lobes and hyperactivity of the basal ganglia.
Clinical Presentation of schizophrenia - ANSWER Impairment of thoughts and affect,
characterized by a distorted perception of reality.
The impairments are severe enough to affect the patient's ability to participate in social
events or to form relationships.
Patients with schizophrenia often lack awareness about their illness (insight).
Co-existing substance use disorder and dependence is common ("dual diagnosis").
Symptoms can be classified into premorbid, positive, negative, and cognitive.
Positive (psychotic phase) - ANSWER Easy to recognize.
Delusions:
1. False, fixed beliefs maintained by the patient despite being contradicted by reality or
logical arguments.
2. Can include grandiosity, ideas of reference, paranoia, persecutory, erotomania,
jealousy, and somatic delusions.
Hallucinations:
1. Perceptual abnormalities in which sensory experiences occur in the absence of [Show Less]