Psychopathology MSE Notes

Clinical
Disorder Introduction Causes Types Features

A personality Eccentric
disorder in the Exact cause behavior, social
Schizophrenia uncertain, but anxiety, odd
Spectrum genetic beliefs, magical
characterized by odd predisposition and thinking,
beliefs, eccentric environmental Cluster A perceptual
Schizotypal behavior, and social factors may personality distortions, and
Disorder anxiety. contribute. disorder. unusual speech.

A psychotic disorder
characterized by The exact cause is
persistent and fixed unclear, but Erotomanic, Persistent and
false beliefs genetic, Grandiose, fixed false beliefs
(delusions) that are biochemical, and Jealous, (delusions) that
not explained by environmental Persecutory, are not explained
Delusional other mental health factors may play a Somatic, Mixed, by other mental
Disorder conditions. role. Unspecified. health conditions.

Sudden onset of
psychosis, with
Often triggered by symptoms lasting
extreme stress, less than one
A short-term, trauma, or major month. May
episodic psychotic life events. include
disorder typically Neurobiological hallucinations,
triggered by extreme and genetic factors delusions,
Brief Psychotic stress, trauma, or may also Single episode or disorganized
Disorder major life events. contribute. recurrent. thinking.

Schizophreniform Similar to Genetic factors, Single episode or Presence of

 Clinical
Disorder Introduction Causes Types Features

schizophrenia-
neurobiological like symptoms,
factors (dopamine including
imbalance), and delusions,
environmental hallucinations,
schizophrenia but stressors (such as disorganized
with a shorter trauma or thinking, and
duration (between 1- substance abuse) negative
Disorder 6 months). can contribute. recurrent. symptoms.

Genetic factors,
neurobiological
A severe and factors (dopamine Hallucinations,
chronic mental imbalance), and delusions,
disorder environmental Paranoid, disorganized
characterized by stressors (such as Disorganized, thinking, negative
disturbances in trauma or Catatonic, symptoms (e.g.,
thinking, emotion, substance abuse) Undifferentiated, social withdrawal,
Schizophrenia and behavior. can contribute. Residual. flat affect).

Symptoms of
schizophrenia co-
occur with mood
symptoms (mania
A complex disorder or depression).
involving both Combination of Can include
schizophrenia-like genetic, hallucinations,
symptoms and mood neurobiological, delusions, and
Schizoaffective symptoms (mania or and environmental Bipolar type, mood
Disorder depression). factors. Depressive type. disturbances.
 Schizotypal Disorder: Lisa, a 32-year-old woman, avoids social interactions and

believes in supernatural phenomena. She has an unusual appearance, often wearing

mismatched clothing and unconventional accessories. Lisa reports magical thinking,

believing that her thoughts can influence the weather and that she has a "sixth sense" that

allows her to communicate with spirits. She experiences intense social anxiety and avoids eye

contact with others. Her speech is often tangential, and her conversations are difficult to

follow due to frequent digressions.

(A pervasive pattern of social and interpersonal deficits marked by acute discomfort

with, and reduced capacity for, close relationships, as well as by cognitive or perceptual

distortions and eccentricities of behavior, beginning by early adulthood and present in a

variety of contexts.)

Delusional Disorder: Michael, a 40-year-old man, believes he has special powers and

is on a mission to save the world from an impending alien invasion. He is convinced that he

alone possesses this knowledge and that everyone else is oblivious to the impending

catastrophe. Despite no evidence supporting his beliefs, Michael remains steadfast in his

convictions and is unable to be convinced otherwise. His daily life is largely centered around

preparing for this perceived invasion.

(A. Presence of one or more delusions with a duration of one month or longer. B.

Criteria A for schizophrenia have never been met.)

Brief Psychotic Disorder: Sarah, a 28-year-old woman, developed hallucinations

(seeing shadowy figures) and disorganized speech immediately after witnessing a violent car

accident in which she narrowly escaped injury. She was brought to the emergency room,

where her symptoms were assessed. Sarah's hallucinations and disorganized thinking lasted

for two weeks, after which her mental state gradually returned to normal.
 (Presence of one (or more) of the following symptoms: 1. Delusions 2. Hallucinations

3. Disorganized speech 4. Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior Duration of an episode

of the disturbance is at least one day but less than one month, with eventual full return to

premorbid level of functioning.)

Schizophreniform Disorder: Emily, a 30-year-old woman, has been experiencing

disorganized thinking and delusions for the past three months. She believes that she has a

special connection to a famous celebrity and that they are communicating through secret

messages in the news. Emily's speech is tangential and lacks coherence. She has difficulty

maintaining her daily routines and self-care. Her social and occupational functioning is

impaired due to these symptoms.

(Criteria A, B, and C for schizophrenia are met.)

Schizophrenia: John, a 25-year-old man, experiences auditory hallucinations

(hearing voices) daily, which constantly berate him and command him to do harmful acts. He

believes that he's being followed by secret agents who are conspiring against him. John's

speech is disorganized, and he often talks in a nonsensical manner, making it difficult for

others to understand him. He shows a flat affect, lacks motivation, and has withdrawn from

social interactions.

(A. Two or more of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during

a one-month period (or less if successfully treated): 1. Delusions 2. Hallucinations 3.

Disorganized speech 4. Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior 5. Negative symptoms

(i.e., diminished emotional expression or avolition). B. Social/occupational dysfunction: For

a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of

functioning are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset. C. Duration:

Continuous signs of the disturbance persist for at least six months.)

 Schizoaffective Disorder: Mark, a 35-year-old man, has periods of depression with

hallucinations and delusions. During his depressive episodes, he believes that he is financially

ruined and that his family is plotting against him. He experiences auditory hallucinations,

hearing voices that berate him. These symptoms persist for several weeks and then alternate

with periods of elevated mood, during which he feels invincible and has grandiose delusions

of being a famous inventor.

(A. An uninterrupted period of illness during which there is a major mood episode

(major depressive or manic) concurrent with Criterion A of schizophrenia. B. Delusions or

hallucinations for two or more weeks in the absence of a major mood episode during the

lifetime duration of the illness.)