Define and explain schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders based on the DSM-5 and the scholarly articles found in this week’s Learning Resources.

The schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders have key features that include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking (speech), grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior that includes catatonia and negative symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, pp. 87-88).  Delusions pertain to individuals having a belief that something is real despite credible evidence that proves otherwise.  There are several types of delusions which are: persecutory, referential, somatic, religious and grandiose (p. 87).  However, while hallucinations are vid and clear an individual does not have control over them which can be either auditory or sensory.  Speech that is disorganized pertains under this spectrum which can be either incoherent, or jumping from one topic to another or discussing something totally different than the topic that is being discussed (p. 88).  Catatonia involves an individual not reacting to their immediate environment that is expressed in being nonverbal, negative and/or resistant, staring or repeated movements.  Lastly, negative systems under this spectrum can be reduced emotional expression and avolition (decreased activity in work or social activities) (p. 88).

Explain the driving factors that bring some individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders into contact with the criminal justice system.

The driving factors that bring some individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders that result in having contract with the criminal justice system pertain to their violent behavior.  Disorders under the schizophrenia spectrum tend to impact cognition, perception, emotion and behavior (Schug, Raine, & Wilcox, 2007).  Hachtel, Harries, Luebbers and Ogloff (2018) conducted a study to explore the risk for pre and post diagnosis of violence in patients that are diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum within the public mental health system during the years of 2000-2005.  There were 246 violent offenders and 164 of those participants committed their first offense before being diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.  The results of this study revealed that after offenders were diagnosed, there tended to be an increase in violent behavior which caused inpatient hospitalization to increase.  However, when an individual or offender was not diagnosed, the violence was less (Hachtel, Harries, Luebbers, & Ogloff, 2018).  This study suggested that when offenders or individuals are evaluated for mental health disorders, there should be a violence risk assessment conducted and the health professionals should pay close attention to anti-social behavior along with substance abuse, males, violent offenses and number of inpatient hospitalizations.  This stance will provide better treatment preventions that target post-diagnoses violence which include criminality and victimization (Hachtel, Harries, Luebbers, & Ogloff, 2018).

Explain the forensic psychological implications of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders.

Forensic psychological implications of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders pertain to being knowledgeable of how the schizophrenia spectrum can interlink with violent behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 2013, p. 89).  Further, not all violent behavior can be linked under this spectrum as it could also consist of a medical illness, medication induced or due to substance abuse.  A forensic psychology professional must conduct due diligence and research to ensure that their client is provided with effective and efficient services.

References:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Links to an external site.

Hachtel H, Harries C, Luebbers S, Ogloff JR. (2018). Violent offending in schizophrenia spectrum disorders preceding and following diagnosis. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 52(8):782-792. doi:10.1177/0004867418763103Links to an external site.

Schug, R. A., Raine, A., & Wilcox, R. R. (2007). Psychophysiological and behavioural characteristics of individuals comorbid for antisocial personality disorder and schizophrenia-spectrum personality disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 191(5), 408-414. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.106.034801