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In your studies of clinical psychology you will have learned about schizophrenia - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 2
Question 1
In your studies of clinical psychology you will have learned about schizophrenia. Describe three features of schizophrenia.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In your studies of clinical psychology you will have learned about schizophrenia - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 2
Step 1
Feature 1: Episodes of Psychosis
Answer
Episodes of psychosis typically manifest between late adolescence and the mid-thirties. Research indicates that males tend to experience these episodes slightly earlier than females, which highlights a gender difference in the onset of schizophrenia.
Step 2
Feature 2: Prognosis Related to Early Onset
Answer
Individuals who experience psychosis before reaching late adolescence often face a worse prognosis. Those who develop schizophrenia at an earlier age tend to have more severe symptoms and a longer duration of illness, resulting in a challenging clinical trajectory.
Step 3
Feature 3: Variability of Symptoms
Answer
approximately 50% of people diagnosed with schizophrenia experience fluctuations in their symptoms. This means that there are times when they exhibit the common symptoms of schizophrenia and times when they do not, indicating a level of variability in the condition.