5.4.B—Describe the symptoms and possible causes of selected schizophrenic spectrum disorders

Describe the symptoms and possible causes of selected schizophrenic spectrum disorders.

• Schizophrenic spectrum disorders are characterized by issues in one or more of these five areas: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking or speech, disorganized motor behavior, and negative symptoms. Schizophrenia can be experienced as an acute or chronic condition.
  • i. Delusions (false beliefs) are positive symptoms and may manifest in ways such as delusions of persecution or grandeur.
  • ii. Hallucinations (false perceptions) are positive symptoms and may involve one or more of the senses.
  • iii. Disorganized thinking or speech is a positive symptom and may manifest as speaking in ways such as speaking in a word salad (stringing together words in nonsensical ways).
  • iv. Disorganized motor behavior may manifest as catatonia. Catatonia, or disordered movement, may be experienced as excitement (a positive symptom manifestation) or stupor (a negative symptom manifestation).
  • v. Negative symptoms present as the lack of a typical behavior, such as the lack of emotional expression (flat affect) or lack of movement (catatonic stupor).
• Possible causes of schizophrenia suggest a genetic or biological link, such as prenatal virus exposure or imbalances with certain neurotransmitters (dopamine hypothesis).