An overview of mental illnesses Flashcards
What is the aetiology of anxiety?
There are several theories including genetic, familial history, neurochemical (imbalance of the neurotransmitter serotonin), social/cultural factors and upbringing.
What are the characteristics of generalised anxiety disorder?
Generalised anxiety disorder is characterised by persistent and troublesome worrying for a period of more than six months independent of other MH conditions.
What are the signs and symptoms of generalised anxiety?
Feeling of being constantly on edge
Irritability
Poor concentration
Physical tension
What is the definition of panic disorder?
Sudden attacks of fear and nervousness, as well as physical symptoms such as sweating and a racing heart for more than a month’s duration, accompanied by significant behavioural changes due to the attacks and a preoccupation of concern or worry about having another attack.
What is a phobia?
Marked and persistent fear that typically lasts more than six months. Exposure to the phobic stimulus results in extreme anxiety.
Persistant
Handicapping-restricting lifestyle
Object/situation
Behaviour (avoidance)
Irrational fears (recognised as such by consumer)
Anxiety response
Define OCD
OCD is characterised by obsessions (persistent and recurrent intrusive thoughts or feelings perceived to be inappropriate by the person) and compulsions (thoughts, actions and behaviours that the person feels compelled to undertake in order to reduce the anxiety experienced)..
What is the treatment for COPD?
CBT with medications (antidepressants)
Define PTSD
PTSD can follow any traumatic event, particularly if the event was life-threatening. Diagnosis is made if symptoms persist for more than one month and are associated with significant impairments or distress to the person.
What are the symptoms of PTSD?
Intrusion, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood, alterations in arousal and reactivity. Persistent and distorted blame of self or others, reckless or destructive behaviour.
Define schizophrenia
A severe mental disorder affecting approximately 1% of the population worldwide. High levels of dopamine and serotonin.
What is the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia?
Two or more of the following for a significant proportion of time in the preceding month:
Delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech (at least one)
Grossly disorganised behaviour
Negative symptoms (flat affect, lack of volition)
Social and occupational dysfunction
Evidence of dysfunction in the pervious six months
What are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
Hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder, disorders of movement
What are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Flat affect (immobile facial expressions, monotone voice)
Lack of pleasure in everyday life
Diminished ability to initiate and sustain planned activity
Speaking infrequently, even when forced to interact
Neglect personal hygiene
Define schizoaffective disorder
The presence of symptoms of schizophrenia with an abnormal (elevated or lowered) mood
Define schizophreniform
Duration of symptoms is less than six months and functioning has not been negatively affected in the person
What is the criteria for major depressive disorder?
At least five of the following present in the preceding two weeks, with a significant reduction in functioning:
Depressed mood (has to be present)
Loss of pleasure in activities that were previously pleasurable (has to be present)
Significant changes in weight (up or down)
Sleep disturbances
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Loss of energy/fatigue
Feelings of worthlessness
Impaired concentration
Suicidal ideation
Define bipolar disorder
Bipolar is characterised by episodes of depression and mania. Must last at least one week.
What are manic episodes?
Characterised by: insomnia irritability boundless energy inability to concentrate persistently elevated mood irritability labile mood
What is the difference between bipolar I and bipolar II?
Bipolar I- experience at least one lifetime episode of mania and usually episodes of depression
Bipolar II- experience episodes of depression plus episodes of mid form of mania called hypomania (persistent elevation of mood, energy and activity),
What are the main symptoms that are common to post-natal depression?
Low mood, poor appetite, altered sleep pattern and low self-esteem.
What is the criteria for ADHD?
Behaviours below before the age of 12, with a duration of longer than six months:
Lack of attention to detail with school work and other activities
Trouble organising tasks and activities
Lose things needed for task or activities
Has trouble sticking to tasks or play activities
Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
Does not follow though on instructions that they are able to understand and does not finish tasks
Tries to get out of doing things that require a lot of attention and concentration.
Is easily distracted and forgetful
Hyperactivity/impulsivity which includes:
Fidgeting of the hands or feet, squirming in their seat
Being unable to remain seated in the classroom when asked to
Running about or climbing excessively
Trouble playing quietly
Talking all the time
Difficulty waiting their turn
Interrupting conversations
What are the two types of anorexia?
Restricting: where the person inhibits food overall, is less impulsive and there are fewer self-harming and suicide attempts
Bingeing/purging type: which is characterised by family history of obesity or being overweight prior to the condition developing, use of vomiting and medications to decrease weight, self-harm and suicidal behaviours
What is the criteria for Anorexia?
Persistent restriction of energy intake leading to significantly low body weight (in context of what is minimally expected for age, sex, developmental trajectory and physical health)
Either and intense fear of gaining weight or of becoming fat or persistent behaviour that interferes with weight gan (even though significantly low weight).
Disturbance in the way one’s body weight or shape is experienced, undue influence of body shape and weight on self-evaluation, or persistent lack of recognition of the seriousness of the current low body weight
What are the physical symptoms:
Loss of muscle mass Fine downy body hair Hypotension Bradycardia Anaemia Eroded teeth enamal
Mental health symptoms
Low self-esteem Poor concentration Depression Insomnia Loss of appetite Poor memory Lack of energy Social withdrawal Obsessive behaviour around food
What is Bulimia Nervosa?
An eating disorder where the person has patterns of bingeing, purging, causing emotional distress, preoccupation with body weight, and often normal body weight.
What is the criteria for Bulimia Nervosa?
Craving for food
Preoccupation with eating
A pattern of overeating followed by compensatory behaviour to reverse food intake (exercise, purging, self-induced vomiting) etc.
What are the symptoms of bulimia?
Often normal body weight Stomach ulcers Tooth decay Irregular heart beat Oesophageal/gastric perforation Constipation Electrolyte imbalance.
Define personality disorder
Abnormal, extreme, inflexible and pervasive variations from the normal range of one or more personality attributes, causing suffering to the person as well as those around them. Can be diagnosed by about 16 where personality has formed.
What are the three groups of personality disorders?
Cluster A- the odd or eccentric: paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal.
Cluster B: the dramatic or emotional: Borderline, narcissistic, antisocial, histrionic
Cluster C: The anxious or fearful: Avoidant, obsessive-compulsive, dependent.
What are the characteristics of paranoid personality type?
Distrusting, suspicious, highly sensitive
What are the characteristics of schizoid personality type?
Cold and unemotional
Lack of interest in other people
Very introspective
What are the characteristics of schizotypal personality type?
Socially isolative
Unusual ideas
Odd behaviours or appearance
What are the characteristics of borderline personality type?
Unstable relationships with other people Poor self-image Unpredictable and erratic moods Impulsive substance use and abuse Impulsive self-harming behaviour
What are the characteristics of narcissistic personality type?
Strong sense of entitlement
Grandiose
Seeks admiration
Lack of empathy for others
What are the characteristics of antisocial personality type?
Tendency to violate the boundaries of others
Superficial charm
Poor behaviour control: expressions of irritability, threats, aggression, verbal abuse
What are the characteristics of histrionic personality type?
Excessive attention-seeking behaviour
Egocentric
Highly emotional
What are the characteristics of avoidant personality type?
Insecure
Social isolation due to fears of rejection or humiliation by others
What are the characteristics of obsessive-compulsive personality type?
Preoccupation with orderliness and control over situations
Rigid behaviour
Perfectionism
What are the characteristics of dependent personality type?
Excessive need to be taken care of
Clinging, submissive
Feels helpless when not in relationship
What is delirium?
Reversible clinical syndrome, marked by acute disturbance in attention and thinking. Can be precipitated by: pain, alcohol or drug withdrawal, infections, dehydration, constipation, other disorders (cancer/neurological), immobility, kidney or liver problems, lack of sleep.
What is the diagnostic criteria for delirium?
Rapid onset of symptoms
Fluctuating mental state
Attention span impairment
Change in cognitive function/altered perception- eg hallucinations, thought disorders
What are the characteristics of dementia?
Difficulties with speech
Disturbance of memory
Loss of motor control
Decline from previous level of functioning
Impaired social or occupational abilities and performance
What is the diagnostic criteria for substance abuse?
A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:
1- recurrent substance use resulting in failure to fulfil major role obligations at work, school or home
2- recurrent substance-related legal problems
3- recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous
4- continued substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance- (eg arguments with spouse about consequences of intoxication, physical fights).
