Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Question 1

Which of the following is a symptom of schizophrenia that involves perceiving things that are not there?

Accepted Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Flattened affect

Answer

Social withdrawal

Answer

Cognitive impairment

Question 2

Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Avolition

Accepted Answer

Flattened affect

Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Delusions

Question 3

Which of the following is an atypical symptom of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Increased self-esteem

Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Delusions

Answer

Disorganized speech

Question 4

What is the most prevalent subtype of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Paranoid

Answer

Disorganized

Answer

Catatonic

Answer

Undifferentiated

Question 5

What is the primary pharmacological treatment for schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotic medication

Answer

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Answer

Family therapy

Answer

Social skills training

Question 6

According to the DSM-5, what is a key diagnostic criterion for schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Delusions for at least 1 month

Answer

Hallucinations for at least 6 months

Answer

Disorganized speech for at least 1 week

Answer

Negative symptoms for at least 6 months

Question 7

Which neurotransmitter is believed to be overactive in the brains of individuals with schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 8

Which term describes the stage of schizophrenia where symptoms are less severe but may still be present?

Accepted Answer

Residual

Answer

Prodromal

Answer

Acute

Answer

Deteriorated

Question 9

Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia, indicating a loss or reduction in normal functions?

Accepted Answer

Anhedonia

Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Delusions

Answer

Disorganized speech

Question 10

Which of the following is a first-line antipsychotic medication for treating schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Olanzapine

Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Lamotrigine

Answer

Lithium

Question 11

What is the experience of hearing voices that are not present in the external environment called?

Accepted Answer

Auditory hallucinations

Answer

Visual hallucinations

Answer

Tactile hallucinations

Answer

Olfactory hallucinations

Question 12

What is the term for the belief that one is being watched, followed, or harassed?

Accepted Answer

Persecutory delusion

Answer

Grandiose delusion

Answer

Erotomanic delusion

Answer

Somatic delusion

Question 13

Which neurotransmitter is considered to play a central role in the development of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 14

In treating schizophrenia, which class of medications is the primary choice?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Question 15

Which characteristic is commonly observed in disorganized thought patterns exhibited by individuals with schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Word salad

Answer

Flight of ideas

Answer

Blocking

Answer

Neologisms

Question 16

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), what is the key diagnostic criterion for schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Persistent hallucinations or delusions for at least 6 months

Answer

Disorganized speech or behavior for at least 1 month

Answer

Negative symptoms for at least 6 months

Answer

Cognitive impairment that significantly interferes with daily functioning

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT considered a significant risk factor for developing schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

High intelligence

Answer

Family history of the disorder

Answer

Prenatal exposure to toxins like alcohol or drugs

Answer

Substance abuse, particularly cannabis use

Question 18

Research has consistently implicated which neurotransmitter system in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, leading to an overactivity in certain brain regions?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

GABA

Answer

Glutamate

Question 19

Which class of medications is the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia, primarily targeting the overactive dopamine system?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Question 20

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for schizophrenia focuses on which core element to improve outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Challenging distorted thoughts and beliefs that perpetuate symptoms

Answer

Improving coping skills to manage everyday challenges

Answer

Medication management to ensure adherence

Answer

Family therapy to enhance support systems

Question 21

The primary goal of psychosocial rehabilitation for individuals with schizophrenia is to:

Accepted Answer

Enhance daily functioning and improve quality of life

Answer

Reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent relapse

Answer

Promote medication adherence and monitor for side effects

Answer

Enhance social support and community integration

Question 22

Which neurotransmitter plays a significant role in the development of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

GABA

Question 23

What is the primary pharmacological treatment for schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Mood stabilizers

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Question 24

What is the term for a fixed, false belief that is not based on reality?

Accepted Answer

Delusion

Answer

Obsession

Answer

Phobia

Question 25

What term describes a group of symptoms that indicate a severe disruption in thoughts, emotions, and behavior?

Accepted Answer

Psychosis

Answer

Neurosis

Answer

Anxiety disorder

Question 26

Which medication is used to treat negative symptoms of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine agonists

Answer

MAO inhibitors

Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants

Question 27

Which of the following is a positive symptom of schizophrenia, characterized by sensory experiences in the absence of external stimuli?

Accepted Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Flattened affect

Answer

Social withdrawal

Answer

Cognitive impairment

Question 28

Which neurotransmitter is primarily implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, leading to dopamine receptor hypersensitivity and an imbalance in brain circuits?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Norepinephrine

Question 29

What is the primary assessment method used to diagnose schizophrenia, relying on clinical observation and evaluation of a patient's symptoms and behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Clinical interview and observation

Answer

Neuroimaging

Answer

Genetic testing

Answer

Blood work

Question 30

Which of the following atypical antipsychotic medications is frequently prescribed as a first-line treatment for schizophrenia due to its favorable side effect profile?

Accepted Answer

Aripiprazole (Abilify)

Answer

Valproic acid (Depakote)

Answer

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Answer

Lithium (Eskalith)

Question 31

Which of the following factors is considered a protective factor against the development of schizophrenia, contributing to resilience and reducing the likelihood of onset?

Accepted Answer

Strong social support

Answer

High intelligence

Answer

Childhood trauma

Answer

Substance use

Question 32

What is the general prognosis of schizophrenia, considering its varying presentation and response to treatment?

Accepted Answer

Varies greatly depending on individual circumstances

Answer

Generally good with early intervention

Answer

Generally poor with limited recovery potential

Answer

Always chronic and disabling

Question 33

What neurotransmitter is consistently implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, with excessive activity in certain brain regions?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Noradrenaline

Answer

GABA

Question 34

According to the DSM-5 criteria, which of the following is a core symptom of schizophrenia, characterized by disorganized or incoherent speech?

Accepted Answer

Disorganized speech

Answer

Restricted range of affect

Answer

Social isolation

Answer

Depressed mood

Question 35

Which type of therapy, commonly used in schizophrenia treatment, emphasizes the identification and modification of distorted cognitions and maladaptive behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Answer

Psychodynamic therapy

Answer

Interpersonal therapy

Answer

Family therapy

Question 36

Which of the following is a negative symptom of schizophrenia, indicating a deficit or loss of normal functions?

Accepted Answer

Alogia

Answer

Delusions

Answer

Hallucinations

Answer

Agitation

Question 37

Which class of medication is primarily used to treat the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Anxiolytics

Answer

Mood stabilizers

Question 38

What neurotransmitter is widely implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, particularly the positive symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

GABA

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 39

Which of the following is an evidence-based treatment approach for schizophrenia that involves manipulating brain activity through electrical impulses?

Accepted Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

Answer

Psychoanalysis

Answer

Vitamin C supplementation

Answer

Homeopathy