What is the strongest risk factor for Schizophrenia?

family history

What are the risk factors for developing Schizophrenia?

• Family history - RR 7.5
• Black Caribbean ethnicity - RR 5.4
• Migration - RR 2.9
• Urban environment- RR 2.4
• Cannabis use - RR 1.4

What are the main Schneider's first rank symptoms of Schizophrenia?

• auditory hallucinations
• thought disorders
• passivity phenomena
• delusional perceptions

What are the typical Auditory hallucinations seen in Schizophrenia?

• two or more voices discussing the patient in the third person
• thought echo
• voices commenting on the patient's behaviour

What are the typical Thought disorders seen in Schizophrenia?

• thought insertion
• thought withdrawal
• thought broadcasting

What are the typical Passivity phenomena seen in Schizophrenia?

• bodily sensations being controlled by external influence
• actions/impulses/feelings - experiences which are imposed on the individual or influenced by others

What are the typical Delusional perceptions seen in Schizophrenia?

a two stage process where first a normal object is perceived then secondly there is a sudden intense delusional insight into the objects meaning for the patient

What are some other symptoms of Schizophrenia excluding first rank symptoms?

• impaired insight
• negative symptoms (incongruity/blunting of affect, anhedonia, alogia, avolition, social withdrawal)
• neologisms: made-up words
• catatonia

What is the first line treatment for Schizophrenia?

oral atypical antipsychotics

When should cognitive behavioural therapy be used in Schizophrenia?

It should be offered to all patients

What are the poor prognostic indicators for Schizophrenia?

• strong family history
• gradual onset
• low IQ
• prodromal phase of social withdrawal
• lack of obvious precipitant