SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Delusions - ANSWER-Can produce strong emotional reactions such as fear,
depression or anger. Those with persecutory delusions may respond to perceived
threats by leaving dangerous situations, avoiding areas where they might be
attacked, or become more vigilant. However, these safety behaviours may prevent
them from encountering disconfirmatory evidence, thus reinforcing the idea that the
lack of catastrophe was due to their cautionary behaviours.
Delusions - ANSWER-May be unconnected or may involve a single theme.
Delusions may vary from those that are plausible, such as being spied on or those
that are bizarre (plots to remove internal organs). Study: nearly half of a group of
individuals with delusions had some questions regarding their beliefs, and 21% were
fully aware that others might view their beliefs as atypical.
Delusions - ANSWER-The strength of delusional beliefs and their effects on the
person's life can vary significantly. Delusions have less impact when the individual
can acknowledge that the belief may be incorrect; that others may question the
accuracy of the belief and suggest an alternate hypothesis regarding the delusion.
Delusions - ANSWER-Unusual beliefs sometimes develop in individuals with
schizophrenia because conclusions are reached based on limited information. Those
with delusions appear to make errors during the stage of hypothesis formation and
evaluation. They develop unlikely hypotheses due to reduced data gathering and
jump to conclusion from limited information, overestimating the probability that the
hypotheses are true.
Delusions - ANSWER-Study: individuals with delusions demonstrated a reasoning
bias by rating narratives of twenty five actual delusions involving themes of
grandiosity, persecution, thought broadcasting, or thought inserting as more likely to
be true than matched control. This reasoning bias did not occur with neutral
narratives (estimating probability that red or black ball will be chosen). Researchers
hypothesised that delusional individuals may have attentional bias for emotionally
salient or threat related information.
Delusions - ANSWER-Can be trained to challenge delusions. Discussed evidence
for belief and therapist presented inconsistencies and irrationality of the belief, as
well as alternative explanation. Belief modification appears to be helpful procedure
for some individuals.
Delusions - ANSWER-Individuals experiencing delusions are not able to distinguish
between their private thoughts and external reality. Although some individuals,
attempt to maintain some sense of logic, most individuals are either unaware or only
moderately aware of the illogical nature of their hallucinations or delusions. They
, may also attribute their symptoms to something other than mental illness. Poor
insight is related to greater severity of illness and poorer premorbid adjustment.
Delusions - ANSWER-May have poor insight regarding psychiatric symptoms but
may acknowledge deficits in memory and other cognitive abilities.
Delusions - ANSWER-Delusions of grandeur
Delusions of Control
Delusions of thought broadcasting - individuals may believe that others can hear
their thoughts
Delusions of persecution
Delusions of reference- individuals may believe that they are the center of attention.
Thought withdrawal - individuals may believe that someone or something is
removing thoughts from their mind
Paranoid ideation - ANSWER-Most common delusion involves paranoid ideation or
suspiciousness about the actions or motives of others. Those with paranoid ideation
often have high level of anxiety and worry and experience persecutory delusions as
well as angry reactions to perceived persecution. Those with paranoid delusions
often believe that others are plotting against them, are talking about them or are out
to harm them in some way. Constantly suspicious and interpretations of behaviours
and motives of others are distorted.
Paranoid ideation - ANSWER-tend to externalise their problems. Paranoid ideation
may function to protect self concept by turning personal problems into accusations
that others are responsible for the bad things that are happening.
Capgras Syndrome - ANSWER-Rare delusion. Belief in the existence of identical
doubles who replaced significant others.
Hallucinations - ANSWER-sensory perception that is not directly attributed to
environmental stimuli.
Hallucinations - ANSWER-May involve a single sensory modality or a combination of
modalities: hearing, seeing, smelling, feeling, and tasting. Auditory hallucinations are
most common and can range from malevolent to benevolent or can involve both
qualities. Hallucinations are particularly distressing when they involve dominant,
insulting voices or when the individual cannot communicate with the voices.
Hallucinations - ANSWER-Appear to be real to the individual experiencing them and
sometimes have relationship like qualities. Study: 61% reported that the voices they
heard had a distinct gender, 46% believed that the voice was a friend or family or
acquaintance and 80% reported having back and forth conversations with the voice.
Most believed the voices were independent entities and some had conducted
research to test the reality of the voices.
Disorganised Thought and Speech - ANSWER-Disordered thinking is a primary
characteristic of S. During communication, individuals with S may have difficulty
focusing on one topic, speak in an unintelligible manner, or reply tangentially to
questions.
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
Delusions - ANSWER-Can produce strong emotional reactions such as fear,
depression or anger. Those with persecutory delusions may respond to perceived
threats by leaving dangerous situations, avoiding areas where they might be
attacked, or become more vigilant. However, these safety behaviours may prevent
them from encountering disconfirmatory evidence, thus reinforcing the idea that the
lack of catastrophe was due to their cautionary behaviours.
Delusions - ANSWER-May be unconnected or may involve a single theme.
Delusions may vary from those that are plausible, such as being spied on or those
that are bizarre (plots to remove internal organs). Study: nearly half of a group of
individuals with delusions had some questions regarding their beliefs, and 21% were
fully aware that others might view their beliefs as atypical.
Delusions - ANSWER-The strength of delusional beliefs and their effects on the
person's life can vary significantly. Delusions have less impact when the individual
can acknowledge that the belief may be incorrect; that others may question the
accuracy of the belief and suggest an alternate hypothesis regarding the delusion.
Delusions - ANSWER-Unusual beliefs sometimes develop in individuals with
schizophrenia because conclusions are reached based on limited information. Those
with delusions appear to make errors during the stage of hypothesis formation and
evaluation. They develop unlikely hypotheses due to reduced data gathering and
jump to conclusion from limited information, overestimating the probability that the
hypotheses are true.
Delusions - ANSWER-Study: individuals with delusions demonstrated a reasoning
bias by rating narratives of twenty five actual delusions involving themes of
grandiosity, persecution, thought broadcasting, or thought inserting as more likely to
be true than matched control. This reasoning bias did not occur with neutral
narratives (estimating probability that red or black ball will be chosen). Researchers
hypothesised that delusional individuals may have attentional bias for emotionally
salient or threat related information.
Delusions - ANSWER-Can be trained to challenge delusions. Discussed evidence
for belief and therapist presented inconsistencies and irrationality of the belief, as
well as alternative explanation. Belief modification appears to be helpful procedure
for some individuals.
Delusions - ANSWER-Individuals experiencing delusions are not able to distinguish
between their private thoughts and external reality. Although some individuals,
attempt to maintain some sense of logic, most individuals are either unaware or only
moderately aware of the illogical nature of their hallucinations or delusions. They
, may also attribute their symptoms to something other than mental illness. Poor
insight is related to greater severity of illness and poorer premorbid adjustment.
Delusions - ANSWER-May have poor insight regarding psychiatric symptoms but
may acknowledge deficits in memory and other cognitive abilities.
Delusions - ANSWER-Delusions of grandeur
Delusions of Control
Delusions of thought broadcasting - individuals may believe that others can hear
their thoughts
Delusions of persecution
Delusions of reference- individuals may believe that they are the center of attention.
Thought withdrawal - individuals may believe that someone or something is
removing thoughts from their mind
Paranoid ideation - ANSWER-Most common delusion involves paranoid ideation or
suspiciousness about the actions or motives of others. Those with paranoid ideation
often have high level of anxiety and worry and experience persecutory delusions as
well as angry reactions to perceived persecution. Those with paranoid delusions
often believe that others are plotting against them, are talking about them or are out
to harm them in some way. Constantly suspicious and interpretations of behaviours
and motives of others are distorted.
Paranoid ideation - ANSWER-tend to externalise their problems. Paranoid ideation
may function to protect self concept by turning personal problems into accusations
that others are responsible for the bad things that are happening.
Capgras Syndrome - ANSWER-Rare delusion. Belief in the existence of identical
doubles who replaced significant others.
Hallucinations - ANSWER-sensory perception that is not directly attributed to
environmental stimuli.
Hallucinations - ANSWER-May involve a single sensory modality or a combination of
modalities: hearing, seeing, smelling, feeling, and tasting. Auditory hallucinations are
most common and can range from malevolent to benevolent or can involve both
qualities. Hallucinations are particularly distressing when they involve dominant,
insulting voices or when the individual cannot communicate with the voices.
Hallucinations - ANSWER-Appear to be real to the individual experiencing them and
sometimes have relationship like qualities. Study: 61% reported that the voices they
heard had a distinct gender, 46% believed that the voice was a friend or family or
acquaintance and 80% reported having back and forth conversations with the voice.
Most believed the voices were independent entities and some had conducted
research to test the reality of the voices.
Disorganised Thought and Speech - ANSWER-Disordered thinking is a primary
characteristic of S. During communication, individuals with S may have difficulty
focusing on one topic, speak in an unintelligible manner, or reply tangentially to
questions.
