Question 1

Current research suggests that at least three specific neurochemical abnormalities are involved in the development of schizophrenic symptoms.What are they?

Accepted Answer

Current research suggests that overactive striatal D2 receptors, underactive prefrontal D1 receptors, and alterations in glutamate transmission are involved in the development of schizophrenic symptoms.

Question 2

Which symptom of schizophrenia has been referred to as "the basic characteristic of madness"?

Accepted Answer

Delusions are often considered a hallmark symptom of schizophrenia and have historically been viewed as a core feature of what many would describe as "madness." This is because delusions represent a significant break from reality, which is a fundamental aspect of the disorder's impact on perception and thought.

Question 3

Hailey takes antipsychotic medications and has developed akinesia.Hailey exhibits which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Akinesia is a common side effect of antipsychotic medication, characterized by a lack of spontaneous movement and expressionless face. Excited speech (A) is not a symptom of akinesia. Jerky limb movements (C) and hand tremors (D) are actually symptoms of a different side effect, known as tardive dyskinesia.

Question 4

Arthur, who is described in your textbook, suddenly experienced the delusion that he could save all the starving children in the world with a "secret plan." Because his symptoms lasted only a few days, what was his diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Arthur's symptoms lasted only a few days, which is consistent with the diagnosis of brief psychotic disorder, which is characterized by the sudden onset of psychotic symptoms that last less than a month. The other options are less likely because they do not fit with the brief and acute nature of Arthur's symptoms. Schizotypal personality disorder is a long-term pattern of odd behavior and distorted thinking, and cocaine abuse would require ongoing drug use. Folie à deux is a rare disorder in which a person shares the delusions of another person, but this does not appear to be the case with Arthur based on the information given.

Question 5

In the 1970s, Paul and Lentz applied behavioural principles in the form of a token economy to a traditional inpatient environment.What was the result?

Accepted Answer

The use of a token economy led to more patients being able to be discharged from the inpatient environment, indicating improved outcomes for patients.

Question 6

According to a study on the relapse rates of schizophrenia, as described in the textbook, approximately what percentage of people who have one episode of schizophrenia will have no lasting impairments or further episodes?

Accepted Answer

Approximately 25% of people who experience one episode of schizophrenia will not have lasting impairments or further episodes, indicating a significant portion of individuals may recover fully after a single episode.

Question 7

Historic records and ancient literature contain descriptions of symptoms in people who today would be diagnosed with various disorders.Which of the following is NOT one of these disorders?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia, as a distinct diagnostic category, is a relatively modern concept and does not have clear descriptions in historic records or ancient literature comparable to those of mood disorders, intellectual disability, or dementia.

Question 8

After Martha's last final examination, she began experiencing auditory hallucinations and told her friends about her plans to reunite all missing children from around the world with their parents.Martha's friends were relieved two weeks later when Martha reported that she was not hearing any voices and did not have any plans for reuniting missing children.What had Martha most likely experienced?

Accepted Answer

Martha most likely experienced a brief psychotic disorder, which is a relatively short episode of psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions that last less than a month. It can occur in response to stressors such as exams, and the symptoms usually resolve on their own without the need for medication.

Question 9

Martin believes that he was sent to earth to save humankind.He says that he regularly hears the voice of God describing his mission.His appearance is dishevelled, and he often speaks incoherently.He has experienced these symptoms for the past seven months.Based on this information, what disorder does Martin most likely have?

Accepted Answer

Martin's belief that he was sent to save humankind and his hearing of God's voice are consistent with delusions and hallucinations, which are common symptoms of schizophrenia. The duration of his symptoms for the past seven months also supports a diagnosis of schizophrenia, rather than brief psychotic disorder or schizophreniform disorder.

Question 10

You are the mayor of a city with 100 000 people in it.About how many people with schizophrenia can you estimate live in your city?

Accepted Answer

The prevalence of schizophrenia is estimated to be around 1% of the population. Therefore, in a city with 100,000 people, it is reasonable to estimate that there are approximately 1,000 people with schizophrenia.

Question 11

As a prevention method, researchers have looked at the classic at-risk study from the 1960s by Mednick and Schulsinger.In this study, which of the following factors is an environmental influence that may trigger the onset of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Instability of the family is considered an environmental influence that can trigger the onset of schizophrenia, as it can create a stressful environment that may contribute to the development of the disorder.

Question 12

According to the terminology relating to dementia praecox, which symptom would Susanna demonstrate if she was showing silly and immature emotionality?

Accepted Answer

Hebephrenia, also known as disorganized type schizophrenia or silly and immature emotionality, is characterized by inappropriate emotional responses, disorganized behavior, and thought processes. This symptom is consistent with Susanna's behavior, as portrayed in the question.

Question 13

Which treatment was first used in the 1930s to treat schizophrenia but is now used primarily to treat severe depression?

Accepted Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was first used in the 1930s to treat schizophrenia, but it is now primarily used to treat severe depression. Insulin coma therapy and prefrontal lobotomy are no longer used as treatments for any mental illness. Psychosurgery is still sometimes used as a treatment for certain severe and treatment-resistant mental disorders, but it was never widely used for schizophrenia.

Question 14

James is experiencing alogia.What would someone spending time with James notice about him?

Accepted Answer

Alogia is a negative symptom of schizophrenia that refers to a decrease in the overall production of speech, as well as a decrease in the amount and quality of information conveyed by speech. Therefore, someone spending time with James would notice a lack of speech content and/or slowed speech response. They may also notice difficulty in maintaining a conversation with James due to his alogia.

Question 15

What is Heinz Lehmann credited with?

Accepted Answer

Heinz Lehmann is credited with introducing neuroleptic medications as a treatment method in North America.

Question 16

What is a common treatment, alongside antipsychotics, for schizophrenia in China?

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture is a common treatment, alongside antipsychotics, for schizophrenia in China. Studies have shown that acupuncture can improve symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganization, and can also help reduce side effects of antipsychotic medication.

Question 17

Tardive dyskinesia-induced motor disruptions in schizophrenia are similar to motor disruptions with which other disease?

Accepted Answer

Tardive dyskinesia and Parkinson's disease both involve motor disruptions due to dopamine pathway dysfunctions, leading to similar movement disorders.

Question 18

Which of the following explains gradations of severity in people with schizophrenia (from mild to severe) and explains that the risk of having schizophrenia increases with the number of affected relatives in the family?

Accepted Answer

The quantitative trait loci model of schizophrenia postulates that the disorder is influenced by multiple genes, each of which contributes a small amount to the overall risk of developing the disorder. This model also suggests that there are gradations of severity in people with schizophrenia, with the risk of having schizophrenia increasing with the number of affected relatives in the family.

Question 19

What percentage of individuals with schizophrenia display negative symptoms?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What percentage of individuals with schizophrenia display...

Question 20

Who renamed dementia praecox as schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Eugen Bleuler is credited with renaming dementia praecox as schizophrenia in 1911.

Quiz 14: Neurodevelopmental Disorders