OCR Psychology issues in mental health - Gottesman

What is a fundamental characteristic of schizophrenia?

• Increased clarity in thoughts and emotions

• Distortions of thinking and perception

• Improved reality understanding

• Enhanced emotional stability

When does schizophrenia typically begin?

• In early childhood

• In late adolescence or early adulthood

• After the age of 50

• During early infancy

How does the frequency and pattern of episodes change over time in bipolar disorder?

• Episodes decrease in frequency and become less severe

• Episodes become more frequent and longer

• Episodes stop completely after early adulthood

• There is no change in the pattern or frequency of episodes

What was the primary aim of the study by Gottesman conducted using the Danish Central Psychiatric Register?

• To analyze the genetic links between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder

• To build on previous research and report on psychiatric diagnoses using a large sample size

• To establish a new psychiatric treatment method

• To compare the psychiatric status of different European countries

Which population was included in the cohort study mentioned in the text?

• All persons born in Denmark from 1968 onwards

• All persons living in Denmark as of 1968

• All persons born in Denmark, alive in 1968 or born later than 1968

• All persons diagnosed with a psychiatric condition in Denmark

What was the risk of offspring developing schizophrenia if BOTH parents had schizophrenia at some point?

• 27.3%

• 7%

• 0.86%

• 67.5%

Answer explanation

27.3% if both parents had schiz

decreasing to 7% if only one had schiz

decreasing further to 0.86% if neither parents had schiz

this shows that schiz is hereditary