Pyc 4802

Table of contents 1. Provide the diagnostic criteria and hallmark features of Schizophrenia. Hallucinations Delusions Disorganised speech Disorganised or catatonic behaviour Negative symptoms 2. Critically discuss how people who have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia are able to live positively with their disorder. Acceptance Knowledge of the disorder Medication Rehabilitation Therapy Care giving

1. Provide the diagnostic criteria and hallmark features of Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is one of the most prevalent psychiatric and psychological disorders amongst those suffering from mental illness both nationally and internationally (PYC4802, tut 101, 2014, p.35). It is defined according to (PYC4802, tut 101,2014, p35), as a severe illness characterised by an array of diverse symptoms including extreme oddities in perception, thinking, action, sense of self and the manner in which the self relates to others. This disorder is characterised by a number of diagnostic criteria and hallmark features, which includes hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behaviour and negative symptoms. These symptoms are characteristics of the active or acute phase of disorder. The positive symptoms consist of two dimensions, which are the psychotic dimension and the disorganisation dimension (Burke A, 2012, p.204). The psychotic dimensions consist of hallucinations and delusions, while the disorganisation dimensions includes the disorganized speech and behaviour. Hallucinations Hallucinations are sensory events that take place in the absence of environmental stimuli. They can therefore be regarded as distortions of perception (Burke A, 2012. p.204). The most common types of hallucinations are, Auditory hallucinations (relating to hearing), false perception of sound, hearing things that others cannot hear. Visual hallucinations (relating to sight / seeing), false perception of images of people or flashes of light that others cannot see....