Lecture 11: Schizophrenia

Myths: What Schizophrenia is not.

Current Definition of Schizophrenia

• Substantive Criterion: Psychosis
• Temporal Criteria:
  • 6 Month duration
  • Deterioration in functioning

Subtypes of Schizophrenia

• DSM-4 subtypes
  • Paranoid
  • Disorganized
  • Catatonic
  • Undifferentiated
  • Residual
• Acute/Reactive/Brief Psychotic Disorder (<1 month)/ Schizophreniform (1-6 months) VS. Chronic/Process

Psychosis

• Content of thought (delusions) or perception (hallucinations)
• Process of thought or behavior

Epidemiology of Schizophrenia

Proximate Causes and Treatment

• Type I/Positive symptoms (Dopamine system) VS. Type II/Negative symptoms (brain structure?)

Ultimate Causes of Schizophrenia

• Review of genetic evidence
  • Family studies
  • Twin studies
  • Adoptions studies
• Evaluation of genetics and psychopathology - multicausal view