This is a project for a high school AP Psychology course. For any questions about this project or its content please email the teacher, Laura Astorian: laura.astorian@cobbk12.org
2. DISCLAIMER
This is a project for a high school AP Psychology course. For any
questions about this project or its content please email the teacher,
Laura Astorian: laura.astorian@cobbk12.org
3. COMMON MISCONCE PTIONS ABOUT
SCHIZ OPHRE NIA
Schizophrenia refers to multiple personalities
• People with schizophrenia do not have split personalities.
Schizophrenia is a rare condition
• Schizophrenia is not rare; the lifetime risk of developing
schizophrenia is widely accepted to be around 1 in 100
4. COMMON MISCONCE PTIONS ABOUT
SCHIZ OPHRE NIA
People with schizophrenia are dangerous
• Most people with schizophrenia are NOT a danger to others
People with schizophrenia can’t be helped
• There are actually many new treatments for people with
schizophrenia
5. TY PE S OF SCHIZ OPHRE NIA
First of all, there are 5 recognized types of schizophrenia:
• Disorganized Schizophrenia
• Paranoid Schizophrenia (which we will be focusing on)
• Residual Schizophrenia
• Undifferentiated Schizophrenia
• Catatonic Schizophrenia
6. WHAT E X ACTLY IS PARANOID
SCHIZ OPHRE NIA?
Paranoid schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder in which one loses
touch with reality
It affects the way a person acts, thinks, and perceives the world
7. HOW CAN ONE GE T THIS IL L NE SS?
It can be due mainly to 3 reasons:
• The Environment
• Abnormal Brain Structure
• Genetics
8. THE E NVIRONME NT
Low oxygen levels during birth
Exposure to a virus during infancy
Early parental loss or separation
Physical or sexual abuse during one’s childhood
9. ABNORMAL BRAIN STRUCTURE
Enlarged ventricles have been found in scans of the brains of
schizophrenic, leading scientists to draw correlations between the two
Furthermore, activity in the frontal lobe appears to be slower than
that of a healthy human
10.
11.
12. GE NE TICS
Generally, it is passed on genetically; however, one could possibly
develop it due to a traumatic event, or with age
The odds of one developing schizophrenia when neither of his or
her parents have it is less than 1%
However, when both parents have schizophrenia, the odds are
greater than 35%
13. AT W H AT AG E D O E S O N E U S UA L LY B E G I N
T O D E V E L O P PA R A N O I D S C H I Z O P H R E N I A ?
In nearly 75% of cases, schizophrenia develops in individuals 16-
25 years of age
In this age group, more cases are found in which men have it
From age 25-30, more women have it
From 30 on, cases in which schizophrenia develops are very rare
14.
15. UNIVE RSAL SY MPTOMS
Disorder
• Disorganized Thoughts
Delusions
• Of grandeur
• Of persecution
Hallucinations
Disorganized speech and thoughts
17. DIAGNOSIS
To diagnose paranoid schizophrenia, psychologists look for:
• The presence of at least 2 of the following symptoms for at least 30 days:
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Disorganized speech
• Disorganized or catatonic behavior
• Negative symptoms (emotional flatness, apathy, lack of speech)
• Significant problems functioning at work or school, relating to other
people, and taking care of oneself.
• Continuous signs of schizophrenia for at least 6 months, with active
symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, etc.) for at least 1 month.
18. DIAGNOSIS
Doctors generally use 3 methods for diagnosing schizophrenia:
• Perform psychiatric evaluations
• Search through medical history and exams
• Perform lab tests
19. E FFE CTS
Many schizophrenics have relationship problems
There is also an increased risk of suicide
Alcohol and drug use is likely to increase, and in many cases
addiction seems to form
20. TRE ATMENTS
Various methods are used to treat schizophrenic patients, such as:
• Supportive counseling and therapy
• Antipsychotics
• Hospitalization
21. HOSPITAL IZ ATION
This is usually what happens to a schizophrenic patient before or
during the time in which he or she is given any real treatment
This method is very important for the initial safety of the patient
22.
23. ANTIPSYCHOTICS
Medication is used along with therapy much of the time because it
is very effective at controlling symptoms and cognitive functioning of
people with schizophrenia
However, this process is not 100% effective for all patients
24.
25. THE RAPY
Therapy is important to the patients because it provides friendship,
encouragement, and practical advice
Family and friends are also extremely important in the treatment
process, so that the patient will have a support network
26. W H AT I T ’ S L I K E L I V I N G W I T H PA R A N O I D
S C H I Z O P H R E N I A
Having this disorder makes it difficult for me to be a functioning
member of society; however, when I have taken the antipsychotics
prescribed to me and attend therapy, I find myself able to function
much more easily
27. W H AT I T ’ S L I K E L I V I N G W I T H PA R A N O I D
S C H I Z O P H R E N I A
The hallucinations in combination with the delusions make it hard
to decipher between what is real and what is fake. It is confusing and
frustrating at times, as you might imagine.
28. WHAT IT’ S L IK E TO E X PE RIE NCE A
PSYCHOTIC E PISODE
If you are uncomfortable at any time during this clip, you should
alert a supervisor and exit the room
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oD4QxTjExs