Question 1

In schizophrenia,emotions may become blunted or very inappropriate.For example,if a person with schizophrenia is told his mother just died,he might show no emotion at all,which is referred to as

Accepted Answer

A flat affect is a symptom of schizophrenia where there is little or no display of emotions, even in situations where an emotional reaction would be expected, such as the death of a loved one. Paranoia is a different symptom characterized by delusions and distrust of others. Erotomania is a type of delusion where a person believes that someone else, usually of higher status, is in love with them. Mutism is a rare symptom where a person is unable to speak, but it is not specific to schizophrenia.

Question 2

Many self-styled reformers,crank letter writers,and conspiracy theorists suffer from

Accepted Answer

Paranoid psychosis is characterized by delusions of persecution, suspicion, and a deep mistrust of others. It is often associated with conspiracy theories and the belief that one is being persecuted by those in power. This fits the description of many self-styled reformers, crank letter writers, and conspiracy theorists. While other disorders may also be present, paranoid psychosis is the most likely explanation for their behavior.

Question 3

Jack believes that the FBI has wire tapped his phone.He regularly checks his house for bugging devices.When he leaves the house,he always checks each window and takes a different route to his destination.Jack buys bottled water because he believes the FBI may try to poison his water.Jack is exhibiting the most common delusional disorder,which is

Accepted Answer

Jack's belief that the FBI has wiretapped his phone and is trying to harm him through poisoning his water is indicative of paranoid delusions. Paranoid psychosis is the most common type of delusional disorder. Schizophrenia involves a range of symptoms beyond just delusions, while the erotomanic and histrionic types of delusional disorder involve specific delusions about romantic or attention-seeking scenarios, respectively.

Question 4

Fernando's parents are very worried about him.In the last month,he has withdrawn from contact with friends and lost interest in any outside activities.There has been a breakdown of his hygiene and personal habits,and he has not been going to his college classes or his part-time job.His brother who went to see him said that his thinking and speech was "jumbled" and his emotions ranged from blunted to totally inappropriate,and subsequently,insisted that Fernando go with him to a psychologist,who will most likely diagnose Fernando with

Accepted Answer

Fernando's symptoms indicate a possible diagnosis of schizophrenia, which is characterized by a loss of contact with reality, disorganized thinking and speech, changes in behavior, and difficulty functioning in daily life. The breakdown of his personal hygiene and withdrawal from activities could be signs of negative symptoms of schizophrenia, while the jumbled thinking, inappropriate emotions, and possible hallucinations or delusions could be signs of positive symptoms of the disorder. It is important for Fernando to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment from a mental health professional.

Question 5

Schizophrenia often involves

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia often involves all of these symptoms, including withdrawal from contact with others, loss of interest in external activities, and a breakdown of personal habits and daily events. These symptoms can severely impair an individual's functioning and quality of life.

Question 6

Regarding paranoid psychosis,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. The delusions experienced by persons with paranoid psychosis may seem more realistic and plausible than those experienced by persons with schizophrenia, but they are still untrue beliefs that can significantly impact their daily lives.

Question 7

Mel believes that people are spying on him and plotting against him.A stranger that comes to his door asking for directions is "really trying to get information," while static sounds during a telephone conversation is "really someone recording the phone call." So,Mel feels like he must be on guard at all times.Mel is suffering from

Accepted Answer

Mel exhibits symptoms of paranoid psychosis, which is characterized by delusions of persecution and a feeling of being constantly watched or plotted against.

Question 8

Many symptoms of schizophrenia seem to arise from

Accepted Answer

Impairment in selective attention is a common symptom of schizophrenia that can lead to difficulties in processing and interpreting information from the environment. This can contribute to other symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech. Abnormalities in controlling anger, exaggerated emotion, and drug usage may also occur in some individuals with schizophrenia, but they are not core symptoms of the disorder.

Question 9

Regarding the rate of occurrence of schizophrenia,what proportion of the population will have schizophrenia in any given year?

Accepted Answer

The rate of occurrence of schizophrenia is commonly estimated to be around 1% of the population, which means one in 100 individuals will have schizophrenia in any given year.

Question 10

Which of the following is a psychosis characterized by delusions,hallucinations,apathy,and a disintegration or "splitting" apart of the normally integrated personality?

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are characteristic of schizophrenia, a severe and chronic mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Paranoid psychosis may involve delusions and hallucinations, but typically it is focused on a specific paranoid theme. Dissociative fugue is a type of dissociative disorder where a person temporarily loses their sense of identity and may travel to a new location, and multiple personality disorder (now known as dissociative identity disorder) involves the presence of two or more distinct personality states.

Question 11

Thinking abnormalities,such as delusions and hallucinations,mood abnormalities,such as apathy,and behavioral abnormalities,such as catatonia,often occur in which disorder?

Accepted Answer

Thinking abnormalities, mood abnormalities, and behavioral abnormalities are all common symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Multiple personalities and delusional disorder may also involve some of these symptoms, but they are not the primary features of these disorders. Somatic symptom disorder primarily involves physical symptoms, rather than psychological ones.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

The presence of two or more personalities that alternate in consciousness is a characteristic of dissociative identity disorder, not schizophrenia.

Question 13

The most common form of psychosis is

Accepted Answer

According to current diagnostic criteria, schizophrenia is the most common form of psychosis, affecting approximately 1% of the population. Paranoid psychosis is a subtype of schizophrenia, but not as common as the overall diagnosis. Bipolar disorder is not technically a form of psychosis, although it may involve psychotic symptoms during manic episodes. Multiple personalities is a term that is no longer used in the field of psychology and is not related to psychosis.

Question 14

How do persons with paranoid psychosis usually respond to suggestions that they need treatment?

Accepted Answer

Persons with paranoid psychosis tend to have delusions that center around the idea that others are plotting against them or are part of a larger conspiracy. Therefore, they are likely to view anyone who suggests treatment as being part of this conspiracy and may be resistant to seeking help.

Question 15

Schizophrenia may be described as a

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia is characterized by a disintegration of the normally integrated personality, leading to symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and disorganized behavior. Though the term "splitting" is used in the name, it does not refer to a split in the personality into multiple integrated personalities (choice B) or a split between delusions and hallucinations (choice C). It also does not refer to a split in intellect that leads to savant syndrome (choice D).

Question 16

Regarding schizophrenia,which of the following statements is FALSE?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia does not involve a "split personality" with two distinct personalities. This is a common misconception about the disorder. Schizophrenia involves a range of symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and negative symptoms such as social withdrawal and a lack of emotional expression.

Question 17

People diagnosed with paranoid psychosis often include those who are

Accepted Answer

People with paranoid psychosis often exhibit unusual beliefs and ideas, distrust of others, and may perceive threats to their personal safety or wellbeing that others do not see. This can include beliefs in conspiracy theories, which could explain why they may become self-styled reformers or crank letter writers trying to expose what they believe to be the truth. Other symptoms may include delusions, auditory hallucinations, and emotional instability, but these are not exclusive to paranoid psychosis.

Question 18

Unlike schizophrenia,dissociative identity disorder involves a "splitting"

Accepted Answer

The answer of Unlike schizophrenia,dissociative identity disorder involves a "splitting"
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Question 19

Timmon has been diagnosed with paranoid psychosis.The distinguishing feature of this disorder that led to Timmon's diagnosis would be the presence of

Accepted Answer

The distinguishing feature of paranoid psychosis is delusions of persecution, which is a belief that one is being targeted, harassed, or plotted against by others. This is different from auditory hallucinations, which involve hearing things that are not present, as well as disturbed emotions and personality disintegration, which can be present in a variety of psychiatric disorders.

Question 20

A person with schizophrenia who has a flat affect is exhibiting

Accepted Answer

A flat affect refers to a lack of emotional expressiveness. This is a common symptom of schizophrenia, in which a person may appear to be emotionless or indifferent to events or situations that would normally elicit an emotional response.

Quiz 61: Psychological Disorders: Psychosis, Delusional Disorders, and Schizophrenia