Mental Disorders and Drugs Flashcards
1
Q
Causes of Alzheimer’s
A
Build up of protein amyloid and tau that damage and kill brain cells
2
Q
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
A
- Becoming forgetful
- Becoming repetitive
- Problems with speech
- Becoming anxious or irritable
- Hallucinations
3
Q
Treatment for Alzheimer’s
A
- No cure
- Drug that increases the amount of acetylcholine; other drugs may be used to relieve some of the later symptoms
- Non-drug treatments such as taking part in activities to stimulate thinking skills: games, discussion groups
4
Q
Causes of Vascular Dementia
A
Diseased and damaged blood vessels in the brain.
The blood vessels become blocked or leak, reducing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain causing brain cells to die.
5
Q
Symptoms of Vascular Dementia
A
- Memory loss
- Problems with thinking and reasoning
6
Q
Treatment for Vascular Dementia
A
- No cure or drug treatment for Alzheimer’s doesn’t work
- Drugs to reduce high blood pressure or blood cholesterol and risk of strokes
- Non-drug treatments to stimulate thinking skills
7
Q
Causes of Parkinson’s disease
A
- Death of certain neurons that produce dopamine. A decrease in dopamine levels produces the abnormal brain activity, leading to symptoms
- Presence of Lewy bodies that contains a protein called alpha-synuclein
8
Q
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
A
- Tremors
- Slow movement, steps shorten, difficulty walking
- Muscle stiffness (pain)
- Bent posture and balance problems
- Loss of automatic movements
- Speech difficulty
9
Q
Treatment for Parkinson’s disease
A
- Natural chemical (drug): levodopa that passes into the patient’s brain and is converted into dopamine
- Dopamine agonists: mimic the action of dopamine in the brain
- Enzyme inhibitors (that break down dopamine)
- Chemicals to block impulse transmission to muscles (to control tremors)
- Surgery: Deep Brain Stimulation (helps to reduce tremors)
- Lifestyle remedies: healthy diet, exercise, physiotherapy
10
Q
Causes of Schizophrenia
A
- Dopamine
- Stress
- Heredity
- Drug abuse (cocaine, cannabis)
- brain injuries, viruses, hormones, diet and allergies
11
Q
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
A
- Lack of interest
- Anxiety and confusion
- Focus problems
- Hallucinations and delusions
- Paranoia
12
Q
Treatment for Schizophrenia
A
- Antipsychotic drugs (tranquilizers)
- Talking treatments
- CBT
- Family intervention therapy
13
Q
Causes of depression
A
- Genetic factor
- Social problems (life-changing events, bad childhood experience)
- Financial problems
- Stress
- Drug abuse
- Poor physical health, mental health issues
14
Q
Symptoms of depression
A
- Restless, irritated
- No self-esteem
- Unable to relate to others or find pleasure in anything
- Sense of unreality
15
Q
Treatment for depression
A
- Antidepressants
- Talking treatments
- CBT
