Schizophrenia Key Terms

concrete thinking

• An impaired ability to think abstractly, resulting in interpreting or perceiving things in a literal manner.

• A method of reasoning that involves abstract concepts and ideas.

• The ability to think critically and analyze complex situations.

• A cognitive process that focuses on emotional intelligence and empathy.

hallucination

• A sensory perception that does not result from an external stimulus and that occurs in the waking state.

• A temporary loss of consciousness or awareness.

• A vivid dream that occurs during sleep.

• A physical sensation caused by an external stimulus.

acute dystonia

• A condition characterized by acute, often painful, sustained contraction of muscles, usually of the head and neck, occurring 2 to 5 days after antipsychotic medication introduction.

• A chronic condition causing involuntary muscle movements and tics.

• A temporary state of confusion and disorientation following medication changes.

• A mild headache that occurs after taking antipsychotic medications.

recovery model

• A model that focuses solely on the illness and current symptoms.

• A model that is patient/consumer-centered, is hopeful and empowering, and emphasizes the person and the future rather than the illness and the present.

• A model that prioritizes medication over therapy and support.

• A model that is only applicable to physical health issues.

echopraxia

• Imitation or repetition of the body movements of another person.

• A condition characterized by the inability to move one's body voluntarily.

• A psychological disorder involving excessive talking.

• A type of paralysis affecting the limbs.

associative looseness

• A disturbance of thinking in which ideas shift from one subject to another in an oblique or unrelated manner.

• A condition where thoughts are overly organized and logical.

• A state of mind characterized by excessive focus on a single topic.

• A cognitive process that involves rapid and coherent thought progression.

command hallucination

• A condition in which individuals hear and sometimes obey voices that command them to perform certain acts.

• A type of auditory hallucination where individuals hear music or sounds without any external source.

• A psychological disorder characterized by a lack of emotional response to stimuli.

• A condition where individuals see visual images that are not present in reality.

psychosis

• Altered cognition, altered perception, and/or an impaired ability to determine what is or is not real.

• A state of extreme happiness and well-being.

• A condition characterized by excessive energy and activity.

• A mental disorder involving persistent sadness and loss of interest.

positive symptoms

• The absence of normal emotional responses and behaviors.

• The presence of symptoms that should not be present including hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, or disorganized or bizarre thoughts, behavior, or speech.

• A state of emotional numbness and lack of motivation.

• The experience of extreme mood swings and emotional instability.

affective symptoms

• Symptoms involving emotions and their expression.

• Physical symptoms related to illness.

• Cognitive symptoms affecting thought processes.

• Behavioral symptoms indicating actions or reactions.