intro to psych Flashcards
What is an adjustment reaction?
A state of mental distress due to stressful life event/significant life change. Can include depressed mood, anxiety, worry, inability to cope, some disability in daily routine.
What is an organic delusional disorder?
Disorder where persistent or recurrent delusions dominate. Delusions can be accompanied by hallucinations. Can have bizarre hallucinations + thought disorder. (delusions +/- hallucinations due to physical illness)
What is post-stroke psychosis? Usually in which strokes? Response?
Psychosis after stroke (usually right hemisphere strokes) can get hallucinations + delusions. Delusions can be persecutory, jealous. Treatment response not good. Usually present with mix of symptoms
What is the interaction between physical and mental illness?
Some mental illnesses can be treated with drugs causing physical conditions.
Those with mental illness usually have poor lifestyle leading to physical conditions.
Some physical conditions can lead to mental illnesses or treatment can cause mental illnesses.
How many years younger do people with chronic mental illnesses die than general population?
20 years
What physical conditions are highly risked with depression, anxiety, panic disorders?
CV disease (depression & anxiety), diabetes (depression), COPD (panic disorders), musculoskeletal disorders (depression)
What can some physical illnesses cause in terms of mental presentations?
- Thyrotoxicosis can cause anxiety & mania. Thyroid deficiency can cause depression, dementia.
- Cushings can cause depression.
- Infections can cause psychosis.
- Cancer causes depression.
- Parkisnons causes depression, anxiety, dementia.
What is timely diagnosis & treatment of those with mental diseases affected by?
Illness behaviour, diagnostic overshadowing, stigma, lack of resources.
What is the montreal cognitive examination (MOCA) used for?
Screening tool for cognitive impairment
What is delirium? Variable?
- Organic cerebral syndrome with concurrent disturbances of consciousness & attention, perception, thinking, memory, psychomotor behaviour, emotion & sleep-wake schedule.
- Very variable, duration variable, can be mild to very severe.
What are the types of delirium & the symptoms associated with each?
- hyperactive delirium - irritable, aggressive, aroused, violent
- hypoactive - very quiet, disorientated, confused.
Why is delirium important clinically?
delays discharge and increases mortality
What are causes of delirium?
Infection, change in environment, medications, alcohol withdrawal, surgery, pain, liver/renal impairment, hypoxia, hyponatraemia, stroke, encephalitis, constipation, urine retention, dehydration
How is delirium managed?
Anticipate, manage risk factors if possible, diagnose early, treat causes, good nursing (single room, familiar stuff), wait
What is stigma? What does it lead to?
Challenges faced by people with mental illnesses related to knowledge, attitudes & behaviours of people they meet due to poor understanding of mental health.
Leads to discrimination, creating disadvantages in work, relationships, education
