SchizophreniaA group of severe

disorders characterized by…

•disorganized and delusional thinking

•disturbed perceptions

•inappropriate emotions and behaviorsOften linked to the Often linked to the

neurotransmitter neurotransmitter dopaminedopamine

How Prevalent is How Prevalent is Schizophrenia?Schizophrenia?

• About 1 in every 100 people are diagnosed with schizophrenia.

SymptomsSymptoms

OfOf

SchizophreniaSchizophrenia

Disorganized Thinking• Fragmented, bizarre and distorted with

false beliefs.

• Comes from a breakdown in selective attention (sensory adaptation)

• they cannot filter out information.

Often causes……

Delusions (false beliefs)

Delusions of Persecution

Delusions of Grandeur

Disturbed Perceptions• HallucinationsHallucinations

– sensory experiences without sensory stimulation

– Most often are auditoryauditory– Can be visual or tactile (feeling something)

Inappropriate Emotions and Actions

• Laugh at inappropriate times.

• Flat Effect – no emotions

• Senseless, compulsive acts • Word salad• Catatonia

– motionless • Waxy Flexibility

Symptoms of Schizophrenia are put into one of two categories

• Positive SymptomsPositive Symptoms– When symptoms are present like

hallucinations, delusions, and bizarre behavior

• Negative SymptomsNegative Symptoms– When aspects of behavior are deficit or

missing • like apathy or lack of facial expression of emotions

Positive SymptomsPositive Symptoms==

Something is thereSomething is there

Negative SymptomsNegative Symptoms==

Something is absentSomething is absent

Types of Types of SchizophreSchizophre

niania

Paranoid Schizophrenia

• preoccupation with paranoid delusions or hallucinations. – Somebody is out to

get me!!!!

Disorganized Schizophrenia

• disorganized speech or behavior• flat or inappropriate emotion• Usually visibly disturbed• Thought to have “gone mad”

Catatonic Schizophrenia

• Mostly catatonic effect

• Parrot like repeating of another’s speech and movements

Undifferentiated Schizophrenia• Many and varied Symptoms.

• Doesn’t seem to fit with the other types

Causes of Causes of Schizophrenia Genetic FactorsGenetic Factors

An identical twin has a 45-50% chance of An identical twin has a 45-50% chance of having schizophreniahaving schizophrenia

Biochemical ImbalancesBiochemical Imbalances Imbalances of dopamineImbalances of dopamine Too many or too sensitive dopamine Too many or too sensitive dopamine

receptorsreceptors Brain AbnormalitiesBrain Abnormalities