0930 Psychosis

Question 1

Define psychosis.

Answer 1

A group of heterogeneous disorders characterised by misinterpretation (cognitive response) and misapprehension (emotional response) of reality. Involves hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, catatonia, and other associated symptoms.

Question 2

Define hallucination.

Answer 2

A sensory perception without receptor activation. For example, auditory hallucination is hearing sound that is not happening, visual hallucination is believing seeing something that is not there.

Question 3

Define delusion.

Answer 3

A fixed, false belief that is not in keeping with cultural or educational background and not amenable to rational argument. E.g. a delusional jealousy.

Question 4

Define thought disorder

Answer 4

A disorder of thought form (disconnected tangential thoughts, poor flow of ideas), or thought content (false thoughts without rational basis) or perceptions.

Question 5

What is behind the medical model explanation for explaining mental disorders?

Answer 5

That mental disorders occur due to neurotransmitter imbalance in the brain.

Question 6

What is behind the psychodynamic model explanation for mental disorders?

Answer 6

The Fruedian type model - what happens in a person’s childhood affects their adulthood.

Question 7

What is behind the biopsychosocial model for explaining mental disorders?

Answer 7

abnormality of genetic and biological risks, substance misuse, organic causes, cultural and spiritual factors, personality and coping style, personal and family history, social circumstances

Question 8

What is behind the stress-vulnerability model explaining mental disorders?

Answer 8

That certain individuals are more vulnerable to stress-induced mental disorders.