L21 - Primary psychiatric disorders and their biological basis

Question 1

What is the distinction between neurosis and psychosis?

Answer 1

Neurosis - contact with reality kept

Psychosis - loss of reality

Question 2

Define schizophrenia?

Answer 2

Changes in how a person thinks and behaves.

Question 3

Symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 3

Positive
- change in behaviour or thoughts, hallucinations or delusions
Negative
- withdrawal, patients may appear emotionless and flat.

Question 4

Give an example of an chemical involved in schizophrenia?

Answer 4

Dopamine!

There’s a belief that Schizophrenia involves excessive dopamine activity in the brain - esp. in mesolimbic areas

Question 5

Describe how brain volume may differ in patients with schizophrenia?

Answer 5

• Larger lateral ventricles
• cortical atrophy
• reduced grey matter

Question 6

Describe autoimmune encephalitis?

Answer 6

Group of conditions that occur when the body’s immune system attacks the brain.
- results in inflammation of brain

Question 7

What is the definition of depression?

Answer 7

Persistent sadness for weeks or months.

Mild and severe symptoms

Question 8

Compare unipolar and bipolar depression?

Answer 8

Individuals with bipolar disorder also have high moods known as mania, during which they may experience increased energy, feelings of euphoria, insomnia, impulse behaviours ….

Question 9

What are some biological symptoms of depression?

Answer 9

• sleep problems
• diurnal mood variation
• reduced appetite
• weight loss
• anergia (abnormal lack of energy)
• anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure in normally pleasurable activities)

Question 10

What are some psychological symptoms of depression?

Answer 10

• low mood
• tearfulness
• anxiety
• irritability
• thoughts of self harm