PSYA4 - Schizophrenia - Brief overview of explanations, diagnosis and treatment

Perspectives of psychopathology:

• Biological
  • Genetics: inherited by genes
  • Physiology: structure & functioning of the brain
  • Neurochemicals: chemical processes in nervous system
• Psychological
  • Behavioural: learning
  • Cognitive: thought processes
  • Psychodynamic: unconscious processes (Freud)

Ingraham et al (1995) (KEY STUDY -  relevance of approaches)

• longitudinal study
• compared 50 high risk (genetically vulnerable) with 50 controls
• each group had a mix of kibbutz children (communal upbringing) and children living with parents
• schizophrenia was only found in the high risk group - upbringing appeared to have no effect..... genetics seem to have more impact than environment

Treatments according to approaches:

• Biological
  • Drug therapy
  • ECT
  • Psychosurgery 
• Psychological
  • Behavioural therapy
  • Cognitive-based…