Diagnosis and formulation in psychiatry

Question 1

What is the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 1

Health and illness are determined by a dynamic interaction between biological, psychological and social factors

Question 2

What is a diagnosis?

Answer 2

What people have; a group of consistent symptoms that can be categorised into a distinct entity

Question 3

What is a formulation?

Answer 3

Tells us how the person became ill as a result of genetics, environment, personality, social and psychiatric factors

Question 4

4 Ps of formulation?

Answer 4

Predisposing factors
Precipitating factors
Perpetuating factors
Protective factors

Question 5

Examples of predisposing factors?

Answer 5

Areas of vulnerability; genetic predisposition, prenatal exposure to alcohol

Question 6

Examples of precipitating factors?

Answer 6

Stressor or other events related to the current symptoms

Conflicts about identity, trauma leading to flashbacks or dissociation

Question 7

Examples of perpetuating factors

Answer 7

Any conditions in the patients, family, community or larger systems that exacerbate rather than solve the problems e.g. 
Unaddressed relationship conflicts 
Lack of education 
Financial stress
Lack of employment
Chronic pain

Question 8

Examples of protective factors

Answer 8

Patients area of competency, skills, talents, interest and supportive elements
Protective factors counteract the predisposing , precipitating and perpetuating factors

Question 9

Step 4,5 and 6 of the biopsychosocial model?

Answer 9

Step 4: predisposing social
Step 5: predisposing psychological
Step 6: precipitating psychological

Question 10

What should be included in a holistic management plan?

Answer 10

Medical
Psychological
Occupational
Environmental