Module 23 Mood Disorders Schizophrenia Virginia Union University

Module 23: Mood Disorders & Schizophrenia Virginia Union University Introduction to Psychology

Schizophrenia �Serious mental disorder that lasts for at least 6 months and includes 2 of the following symptoms that interfere with personal & social functioning: • Delusions (irrational beliefs) • Hallucinations (sensory experiences without any stimulation from the environment) • Disorganized speech, behavior & thought • Emotional disorders • Motor disorders

Schizophrenia � 3 of the most common • Paranoid schizophrenia • Disorganized schizophrenia • Catatonic schizophrenia

Schizophrenia �Paranoid schizophrenia • Characterized by auditory hallucinations/delusions (e. g. , thoughts of being persecuted by thoughts/thoughts of grandeur)

Schizophrenia �Disorganized schizophrenia • Marked by bizarre ideas, often about one’s body, confused speech, childish behavior, emotional swings & often extreme neglect of personal appearance & personal hygiene

Schizophrenia �Catatonic schizophrenia • Characterized by periods of wild excitement or periods of rigid, prolonged immobility; sometimes the person assumes the same frozen posture for hours on end

Schizophrenia � Chances of recovery • Depends on symptoms • Different symptoms for different type of schizophrenia (2 types) �Type 1 Schizophrenia �Positive symptoms (the presence of something) �Hallucinations/delusions, no intellectual impairment, good reaction to medicine, good chance of recovery �Type 2 Schizophrenia �Negative symptoms (the absence of something) �Dulled emotions, little inclination to speak, intellectual impairments, poor reaction to medicine, poor chance of recovery • Best predictor of recovery – positive symptoms

Schizophrenia �Causes that interact in the development of schizophrenia • Biological causes • Neurological causes • Environmental causes

Schizophrenia � Biological causes • Genetic predisposition �Supported by twin studies (48 -83% chance of developed schizophrenia) �Genetic markers – identifiable gene or number of genes or a specific segment of a chromosome that is directly linked to some behavioral, physiological, or neurological trait or disease �Schizophrenia said to depend on a combination of genes • Infections �Pregnant women who get the flu more likely to have children who will develop schizophrenia �Childhood infections can contribute to schizophrenia risk (esp. those that affect the brain)

Schizophrenia � Neurological causes • Ventricle size �Fluid filled cavities in the brain that help to cushion the brain & serve as a reservoir for nutrients & hormones �Ventricles larger than normal in up to 80% of schizophrenics • Frontal lobe: prefrontal cortex �Part of the brain involved in executive functions, like reasoning & planning �Prefrontal cortex less activated in the brains of schizophrenics • Frontal & temporal lobes may be smaller due to fewer brain cells & connections • Neurotransmitters �Dopamine theory – dopamine neurotransmitter system is somehow overactive & gives rise to a wide range of symptoms

Schizophrenia � Treatment • Neuroleptic (antipsychotic) drugs – change the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain �Two kinds �Typical �Primarily reduce levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine �Drugs mainly reduce positive symptoms & have little effect on negative symptoms � 20% of schizophrenics not helped by typical neuroleptics �Atypical (newer drugs) �Lower levels of dopamine & other neurotransmitters, like serotonin �Drugs primarily reduce positive symptoms, may reduce negative symptoms, and prevent relapse

Schizophrenia � Evaluation of neuroleptic drugs • Phenothiazines (typical neuroleptic) �Widely prescribed to treat schizophrenia �Can produce unwanted motor movements called tardive dyskinesia – risk increases with use • Only 20 -30% of schizophrenics showed good outcomes 2 -12 years after treatment • 60% of patients taken off a typical neuroleptic experienced a relapse (compared to 34% of those maintained on an atypical neuroleptic)

Schizophrenia � Evaluation of atypical neuroleptic drugs • Caused tardive dyskinesia in only about 5% of patients (compared to 1 -29% of patients on typical neuroleptics) • Other side effects include inc. levels of cholesterol, glucose, blood sugar, weight gain, worsening diabetes, etc. • As effective in reducing pos. symptoms, more effective in reducing neg. symptoms, less likely to cause tardive dyskinesia & more effective in preventing relapse