Question

Outline the symptoms of Schizophrenia and explain substance abuse/dependence.

Hint:

Schizophrenia symptoms are grouped as positive, negative, and cognitive, while substance dependence includes craving, tolerance, and withdrawal.

Answer 1

Concept: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder affecting thinking, perception, and behavior, while substance abuse/dependence refers to maladaptive patterns of substance use leading to significant impairment or distress.
Symptoms and Explanation:
Symptoms of Schizophrenia:
The symptoms of schizophrenia are broadly classified into the following categories:

• Positive Symptoms: These are excesses or distortions of normal functioning, such as hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not present), delusions (false beliefs), and disorganized speech or behavior.
• Negative Symptoms: These involve a reduction or loss of normal functions, such as lack of motivation, reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal, and decreased speech.
• Cognitive Symptoms: These include difficulties in attention, memory, and decision-making, which affect daily functioning.

Substance Abuse/Dependence:
Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol or drugs, leading to negative consequences in physical, social, or psychological functioning.
Substance dependence is a more severe condition characterized by:

• Strong craving or urge to use the substance.
• Loss of control over substance use.
• Development of tolerance (needing more of the substance to achieve the same effect).
• Withdrawal symptoms when substance use is reduced or stopped.

Thus, substance abuse may progress to dependence if not controlled, leading to significant impairment in daily life.