SchizophreniaChapter 12

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia- a group of severe disorders characterized by disorganized and delusional thinking, disturbed perceptions, and inappropriate emotions or actions

Disorganized Thinking, Disturbed Perceptions, and Inappropriate emotions

Disorganized Thinking- delusions (false beliefs) often of persecution or grandeur spill out words that are not there

Disturbed Perceptions- hallucinations See, taste, feel, smell things that are not

there Usually they hear voices that make

insulting remarks or give them orders

Continued

Inappropriate Emotions or Actions Show opposite emotions than would be

normal Flat effect- no apparent feelings or

actions Perform senseless acts-continually

rocking, rubbing their arms, others remain motionless for hours (catatonia)

Positives and Negative Symptoms

Negative Symptoms- actions and feelings are absent when they should be there No expressions on their face

Positive symptoms- inappropriate behaviors are present Hallucinations Talking is disorganized Laugh or cry at inappropriate times

Facts

1 in 100 people develop Schizophrenia

Usually strikes in early adulthood Men usually get it more often than

women

0 10 20 30 40 50Identical

Both parents

Fraternal

One parent

Sibling

Nephew or niece

Unrelated

Abnormal Brain Activity

Theories

Disease of the brain- abnormal brain tissue

Excess number of dopamine receptors Drugs that block dopamine receptors

often help symptoms Viral infection of a fetus Famine during pregnancy

Theories

Low birth rate or lack of oxygen Mother was exposed to the flu when

she was pregnant Could be biological (inherited)