Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders Discussion
Distinguish between the positive and negative symptoms associated with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. What symptoms are key in making the distinction among the diagnoses of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, and Mood Disorder with Psychotic Features?
Remember that all posts are graded for substance and thoughtful consideration of the discussion topic. Your post must also end with a “Question to the Class” – something related to the topic that you found thought-provoking and about which you’d like to know more and have further dialog.
Classmate #1:
Schizophrenia symptoms have to include two or more of the following symptoms for a considerable amount of time over a month-long period. The symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behavior, and reduced emotional expression and/or avolition. Other criteria includes decreased functioning in social and occupational areas since the onset of a disturbance having occurred. Symptoms are usually classified into positive or negative symptoms. Positive symptoms are things that may start to happen such as hallucinations, delusions, confused thoughts and/or speech, and trouble concentrating. Negative symptoms are things that may stop happening such as withdrawal, emotional flatness, and struggle to function in everyday tasks. Signs of disturbances must last for a minimum of 6 months since their initial onset for a diagnosis in Schizophrenia.
Schizoaffective Disorder can be understood as a combination between bipolar disorder or major depression with psychotic features, combined with schizophrenia. There are two subtypes to this order which are bipolar subtype and depressive subtype. This can be differentiated from Schizophrenia because it requires a manic episode or depressive episode to occur alongside the active symptoms mentioned earlier, or the episode occurs but only for a small duration during the disturbance of active symptoms. Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders Discussion
Question to the Class: In our research this week, what did you learn about the causes of Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder? Have there been any causes determined, or still being researched? Is the research on the causes so far the same for both disorders?
References
Maddux, J. E., & Winstead, B. A. (Eds.). (2015). Psychopathology: Foundations for a contemporary understanding (4th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315778945
Classmate #2:
References:
Official Consumer Website | Janssen Portfolio of Long-Acting Injections. (2020, August 17). Invega LAI Portfolio. https://www.janssenschizophreniainjections.com/about-schizophrenia
Schizophrenia – Symptoms and causes. (2020, January 7). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443
Bora, E., Yucel, M., & Pantelis, C. (2018, January 2). Cognitive functioning in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and affective psychoses: meta-analytic study | The British Journal of Psychiatry | Cambridge Core. Cambridge Core. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.108.055731
C. (n.d.). Schizoaffective Disorder: Schizophrenia, Mood Disorder, Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21544-schizoaffective-disorder
Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders Discussion