Question 1

The stage of the development of schizophrenia marked by deterioration of functioning and the display of some mild symptoms is called the:

Accepted Answer

The prodromal phase of schizophrenia is characterized by a deterioration in functioning and the appearance of mild symptoms. This phase precedes the active phase of the illness, where more severe symptoms are present.

Question 2

Regarding likelihood of recovery and types of symptoms exhibited, which would be the WORST disorder to have?

Accepted Answer

Type II schizophrenia, characterized by negative symptoms such as emotional flatness, lack of pleasure in everyday life, and inability to start or follow through with activities, tends to have a poorer prognosis compared to Type I schizophrenia, which is marked by positive symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. Types III and IV schizophrenia are not recognized classifications in the medical community, making Type II the worst among the given options due to its association with more chronic and treatment-resistant symptoms.

Question 3

To be diagnosed with schizophrenia, symptoms must be present for _____, during which a person must have been _____ for at least one month.

Accepted Answer

For a diagnosis of schizophrenia, symptoms must be present for at least six months, with at least one month of active-phase symptoms (which can include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms).

Question 4

A person with schizophrenia demonstrates poverty of speech and experiences auditory hallucinations. According to the "Type I-Type II" evaluation categorization, this person would be:

Accepted Answer

The "Type I-Type II" categorization in schizophrenia distinguishes between two symptom profiles. Type I is characterized by positive symptoms such as hallucinations, while Type II is associated with negative symptoms, including poverty of speech. Therefore, a person exhibiting both auditory hallucinations and poverty of speech would be considered a mix of Type I and Type II.

Question 5

Patients are more likely to recover from schizophrenia if they:

Accepted Answer

Patients who demonstrated good premorbid functioning are more likely to recover from schizophrenia. Good premorbid functioning refers to the level of psychological and social functioning before the onset of the illness, and higher levels are associated with better outcomes.

Question 6

A patient with schizophrenia who is mute, statue-like, and fails to participate in the hospital routine is MOST likely experiencing:

Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms of muteness, being statue-like, and failure to participate in hospital routine are indicative of catatonia, which is more commonly associated with Type II schizophrenia. Type II schizophrenia is characterized by negative symptoms (such as apathy, lack of emotion, poor or non-existent social functioning) and catatonia, rather than the positive symptoms (such as hallucinations and delusions) that are more characteristic of Type I schizophrenia. Schizoaffective disorder and delusional disorder are characterized by different sets of symptoms not described in the question.

Question 7

Holding an awkward and bizarre position for a long period of time defines:

Accepted Answer

Catatonic posturing refers to the phenomenon where an individual maintains an unusual, often uncomfortable position for a long period of time. This behavior is associated with catatonia, a state linked to several psychiatric conditions including schizophrenia.

Question 8

Catatonic rigidity and catatonic posturing share all of the following characteristics EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Catatonic rigidity and catatonic posturing are indeed psychomotor symptoms of schizophrenia and involve behavior where a person may remain motionless for some time, which can be disruptive to their functioning. However, they are not common among those diagnosed with schizophrenia; these symptoms are relatively rare and are more specific to catatonic schizophrenia or other disorders, not the broader category of schizophrenia.

Question 9

Which two pairs MOST closely represent opposites in terms of the behavior you would observe in people with schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Catatonic stupor involves a lack of movement and response, while catatonic excitement involves excessive and purposeless movement, making them opposites in behavior.

Question 10

Frederick has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He remains standing for hours and resists efforts to be moved. Frederick is likely experiencing:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Frederick has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He...

Question 11

A middle-aged individual shows many of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and at the same time often appears profoundly depressed. The symptoms have lasted almost a year. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Schizoaffective disorder is characterized by symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations or delusions, along with symptoms of a mood disorder, such as depression or mania. The scenario describes an individual with both negative symptoms of schizophrenia and significant depression, fitting the criteria for schizoaffective disorder.

Question 12

A person is socially withdrawn, speaks in odd ways, has strange ideas, and expresses little emotion, but she is not displaying full-blown schizophrenic symptoms. What phase of schizophrenia is this person in?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described fit both the prodromal and residual phases of schizophrenia. The prodromal phase precedes the active phase of schizophrenia, characterized by a decline in functioning and the appearance of mild symptoms. The residual phase follows the active phase, where symptoms similar to the prodromal phase reappear, but less severe than during the active phase.

Question 13

Delia does not display all the full-blown schizophrenia symptoms anymore. Occasionally, a shadow of a symptom appears. She is a bit withdrawn and not entirely clear all the time, but she can marginally function in the world. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The residual phase of schizophrenia is characterized by a marked reduction in the intensity of the symptoms. Individuals in this phase may no longer experience the full-blown symptoms of schizophrenia, but they might still show some signs, such as being withdrawn or having difficulty with clear thinking, which aligns with Delia's condition.

Question 14

Which statement is true regarding Type I versus Type II schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Type I schizophrenia is more common than Type II schizophrenia.

Question 15

People with schizophrenia who wave their arms around in wild motions and make kicking motions with their legs are experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Catatonic excitement is a state associated with schizophrenia where the individual exhibits excessive and seemingly purposeless motor activity, such as wild arm waving and kicking motions. This is in contrast to catatonic stupor, rigidity, or posturing, which involve reduced activity or abnormal positions.

Question 16

Which statement is the LEAST supported based on what is known about the course of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

The course of schizophrenia typically begins with the prodromal phase, followed by the active phase, and then the residual phase. It is not supported that individuals enter the active phase before the prodromal phase, as the prodromal phase is characterized by the onset and gradual development of schizophrenia symptoms.

Question 17

How is catatonic stupor related to loss of volition?

Accepted Answer

Catatonic stupor and loss of volition (a lack of motivation or drive to perform activities) may appear behaviorally similar because both can result in a lack of movement or apparent engagement with the environment. However, they have different underlying features. Catatonic stupor is a specific symptom that can occur in schizophrenia and other disorders, characterized by a person's inability to move or respond to the environment, often due to extreme motor immobility or negativism. Loss of volition, on the other hand, refers more broadly to a decrease in the motivation to initiate and perform self-directed purposeful activities, and is considered a negative symptom of schizophrenia, reflecting a deficit or loss of normal functions.

Question 18

The main difference between schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder is:

Accepted Answer

The main difference between schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder lies in the duration of symptoms. Schizophrenia requires symptoms to be present for at least 6 months, while schizophreniform disorder is characterized by symptoms that last between 1 and 6 months.

Question 19

Type I schizophrenia is to _____, as Type II schizophrenia is to _____.

Accepted Answer

Type I schizophrenia is characterized by positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions, while Type II schizophrenia is associated with negative symptoms like emotional flatness and lack of motivation.

Question 20

Which is NOT related to a fuller recovery from schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia developing during late adolescence is not specifically linked to a fuller recovery. Early intervention, such as treatment during the prodromal phase, and certain characteristics of the onset, like being triggered by stress or having an abrupt beginning, are associated with better outcomes. Late adolescence is a common time for the onset of schizophrenia but does not inherently predict a fuller recovery.

Quiz 14: Schizophrenia and Related Disorders