Schizophrenia and the MMPI-2

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia, and focuses on several psychological tests that are used to discern schizophrenia from other forms of mental illness. The paper discusses how the psychological tests, while not a valid tool for a diagnosis independently, can greatly assist psychologists and psychiatrists in ensuring a complete and accurate diagnosis.

From the Paper:

"In addition to exhibiting one or two of the symptoms above, a patient must also show signs of social or occupational dysfunction, occurring after the onset of the symptoms in the first set of criteria. These dysfunctions can include employment issues, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, or poor self-care. The symptoms must have persisted for at least six months, with at least one month of at least two of those symptoms listed in Criteria A. In the remaining months, known as residual periods, the patient may only exhibit only negative symptoms (DSM-IV-TR, 1994)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Butcher, J.N. and Rouse, S.V. (1996). Personality: individual differences and clinical assessment. Annual Review of Psychology, 47(2): 87-111.
• Morrison, A.P., Bentall, R.P., French, P., Walford, L., Kilcommons, A., Knight, A., Kreutz, M., and Lewis, S.W. (2002). Randomized controlled trial of early detection and cognitive therapy for preventing transition to psychosis in high-risk individuals. British Journal of Psychiatry 181(2): s78-s84.
• Pettijohn, T.F. (1998). Psychology: A connectext, 4th ed. Marion, OH: Ohio State University Press.
• Pope, K.S., Butcher, J.N., and Seelen, J. (1999). MMPI/MMPI-A in court: assessment testimony and cross-examination for expert witnesses and attorneys, 2nd Ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

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