Introduction to psychiatry

Question 1

How common is mental illness?

Answer 1

1 in 3 will have a mental health disorder in their lifetime

Question 2

What is stigma?

Answer 2

A fundamental mindset which attaches blame and lack of understanding to a disorder

Question 3

What’s the difference between mental illness and physical illness?

Answer 3

People do not perceive themselves to be ill
Reluctance to accept treatment
No scientific basis to diagnose
Perceived lack of treatment
Agents of social control

Question 4

What is a panic attack?

Answer 4

Periods of intense anxiety
-sudden fear
-heart racing
-shaking
-dry mouth
Lasts for 10-15 mins

Question 5

What are obsessional thoughts?

Answer 5

Thoughts that no matter how you try, you can’t stop thinking about it

Question 6

What are anxiety symptoms?

Answer 6

Psychic symptoms: feeling of dread or fear
Physical symptoms: palpitations, sweating, dry mouth, tremor, paresthesia (pins and needles), syncope, splenic vasoconstriction (butterflies)

Question 7

What causes anxiety?

Answer 7

Psychological response to adrenalin becomes abnormal

Adrenalin released -> realising heart’s beating faster -> more adrenalin release and so on

Question 8

What are symptoms of obsessions?

Answer 8

Ego- dystonic thoughts
Repetitive, circular ruminations
May be bizarre and sound delusional
Insight maintained
Resistance leads to anxiety

Question 9

What are compulsions?

Answer 9

Motor response to obsessional thoughts
Often ritualistic, stereotyped, precise
E.g. hand washing, arranging and symmetry, checking door locks, start again if interrupted or in doubt

Question 10

How can anxiety be classified?

Answer 10

Generalised anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Agoraphobia (fear of crowds)
Simple phobia
Social phobia 
Obsessive compulsive disorder