Lecture on Schizophrenia and Dissociative Disorders

Schizophrenia Overview

• Definition: A psychological disorder that means "split mind," not related to multiple personalities
• Prevalence: Affects about 1% of the population
• Stigma: Highly misunderstood and stigmatized, causing significant anxiety and avoidance behaviors

Misconceptions and Clarifications

• Not Multiple Personalities: Differentiates from Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly Multiple Personality Disorder)
• Split from Reality: Refers to a detachment from reality rather than personality splits

Onset and Development

• Age of Onset: Men - early to mid-20s; Women - late 20s
• Development: Gradual or sudden onset, potentially triggered by stress or trauma (not caused by these events)

Symptoms and Spectrum

• DSM-5 Spectrum: Recognized on a spectrum with varying symptom severity and duration
• Core Symptoms:
  • Disorganized Thinking: Incoherent or fragmented thought patterns, difficulty in communication
  • Distorted Emotions and Behaviors: Inappropriate responses to situations
  • Disturbed Perceptions: Delusions and hallucinations, often involving a loss of contact with reality

Psychotic Symptoms

• Positive Symptoms: Add experiences (e.g., hallucinations, delusional thoughts)
• Negative Symptoms: Subtract from normal behavior (e.g., withdrawal, lack of emotion)
• Disorganized Symptoms: Include issues with attention and organization (e.g., word salad)

Physiological Aspects

• Brain Abnormalities: Linked to extra dopamine receptors and abnormal brain activity
• Neuroimaging Findings:
  • High activity in the thalamus during hallucinations
  • Over-activity in the amygdala in cases of paranoia

Diathesis-Stress Model

• Concept: Combination of genetic/biological vulnerabilities and environmental stressors
• Genetic Predisposition: Higher risk when a close relative has the disorder
• Recent Study: Identified over 100 genes associated with schizophrenia, involving dopamine regulation and immune system functioning

Notable Cases

• Famous Individuals: Brian Wilson, Syd Barrett, John Nash

Dissociative Disorders

• Definition: Disorders of consciousness, marked by an interruption of conscious awareness
• Common Forms: Includes Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), characterized by multiple identities

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

• Infamous Case: Shirley Mason ("Sybil")
  • Sybil: Book and mini-series popularizing DID
  • Scandal: Many believe the story was fabricated, contributing to a spike in DID diagnoses
• Debate: Ongoing debate about the legitimacy of DID as a disorder

Conclusion

• Summary:
  • Discussed schizophrenia symptoms, brain activity, and origins (diathesis-stress model)
  • Covered dissociative disorders and the controversy of DID

Credits:

• Written by Kathleen Yale
• Edited by Blake de Pastino
• Consultant: Dr. Ranjit Bhagwat
• Director/Editor: Nicholas Jenkins
• Script Supervisor/Sound Designer: Michael Aranda
• Graphics: Thought Cafe

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