Mental health across the lifespan

Question 1

What are some systemic factors which cause variation in mental health across the lifespan?

Answer 1

• Family
• School
• Enighbourhood
• Work
• Church
• Social network
• Health services

Question 2

What are some developmental factors which cause variation in mental health across the lifespan?

Answer 2

• Birth
• Separation from parents
• Nursery-Primary-Secondary
• Development of adult think
• Adult life transitions
• Ageing and dying

Question 3

When does schizophrenia most commonly occur?

Answer 3

Schizophrenia usually occurs in early and very early life, with late onset cases being rare

Question 4

What causes changes in schizophrenia over the lifespan?

Answer 4

There are changes in causes of psychosis across the lifespan, with the risk factors changing from high TCH cannabis in drug-induced psychosis, to dementia in dementia-associated psychosis

Question 5

When does depression most commonly occur?

Answer 5

Depression is most common in those in adolescence, with retrospective studies showing that even those diagnosed in later life report their first episode occuring before the age of 20

Question 6

Why is depression in the elderly often overlooked?

Answer 6

due to pride, stigma and physical illness, however, this is a group in which there are a number of risks factors including loneliness and physical illness

Question 7

When does bipolar disorder usually occur?

Answer 7

The average age of BAD type 1 diagnosis is around 25 years old, however this can be complicated due to other forms of BAD such as type 2, mixed, rapid-cycling, ultrarapid-cycling and cyclothymic

Question 8

What are some risks associated with BAD in old age?

Answer 8

negative outcomes, cognitive deficits, increased suicide risk and overall mortality

Question 9

When do personality disorders usually occur?

Answer 9

There is often a reluctance to diagnose personality disorders in those aged under 18, however, the peak frequency of symptoms (Especially emotionally unstable) and first access to services is around 14

Question 10

What is the most commonly diagnosed mental disorder in childhood?

Answer 10

Disruptive/behavioural disorder

Question 11

What is the name of disruptive disorder in those under 12?

Answer 11

oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

Question 12

What is the name of disruptive disorder in those over 12?

Answer 12

Conduct disorder

Question 13

How common is ASD in children?

Answer 13

ASD occurs in 1 in 100-200 children and is more commonly seen in males

Question 14

How common is ADHD in children?

Answer 14

ADHD presents in around 4-5% of children

Question 15

When is separation anxiety normal?

Answer 15

Age 7 months to preschool years

Question 16

How is separation anxiety disorder distinguished from normal separation anxiety?

Answer 16

SAD is distinguished by age inappropriate, excessive and disabling anxiety

Question 17

What can occur as a result of separation anxiety disorder

Answer 17

School refusal, especially during main school transitions

Question 18

What are some presentations of trauma in children?

Answer 18

• PTSD type symptoms (Anger, Avoidance)
• General irritability and anxiety
• Oppositional behaviours
• Quasi-psychotic symptoms

Question 19

What are some more at risk groups of trauma in children?

Answer 19

There is a high prevalence in populations such as Latin-American and Carribean (LAC), asylum seekers, refugees and some ethnic minorities

Question 20

During primary age, what are some presentations that are not always linked to mental illness

Answer 20

• Developmentally appropriate anxiety
• Hyperactivity and short attention span
• Grandiose ideas and overtalkativeness
• Imaginary friends
• Intense interests
• Onset of non-impairing tics

Question 21

During secondary age, what are some presentations that are not always linked to mental illness

Answer 21

• Mood swings
• Sullenness, withdrawal, irritability
• Sleep changes
• Peer pressure influencing thoughts and behaviours
• Rituals and OCD type behaviours
• Intrusive thoughts and pseudohallucinations

Question 22

What are some challenges of early adulthood?

Answer 22

• Leaving school
• Getting a job
• Establishing a long-term relationship
• Buying a house
• Having children

Question 23

What are some challenges of middle adulthood?

Answer 23

• Maintaining professional and financial security
• Managing relationship difficulties
• Dealing with children leaving the home

Question 24

What are some challenges of late adulthood?

Answer 24

• Preparing for retirement and change of role
• Dealing with deteriorating physical health
• Managing bereavements

Question 25

What is the puerperium