Mental Health: Specific Disorders

Question 1

Why do psychologists prefer to use the term “autism spectrum disorder” in relation to autism?

Answer 1

To describe the individual differences in the experience of autism

Question 2

Name 4 symptoms of autism

Answer 2

Impaired social interaction
Impaired communication
Restricted, repetitive behaviour
Impaired intellectual functioning

Question 3

What percentage of children aged 6-12 are affected by autism?
Are boys or girls more likely to be affected?

Answer 3

0.6%

Boys

Question 4

What are the risk factors or autism?

Answer 4

Genetic - certain genes may cause brain dysfunction

Question 5

What is the treatment of autism? (2)

Answer 5

Behaviour modification therapy

Routine in home and school environment

Question 6

Define: attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Answer 6

A mental disorder characterised by attention and hyperactive behaviour that is more frequent and severe than in others of the same age

Question 7

What are 2 symptoms of ADHD?

Answer 7

Attention all problems

Hyperactivity and impulsivity

Question 8

Between what percentages of school aged children and adolescents are affected by ADHD?
What proportion are girls and boys affected by it?
What percentage grows out of it?

Answer 8

Between 2.3 and 20%
90% boys, 10% girls
25%

Question 9

What are the risk factors of ADHD?

Answer 9

Brain chemistry
If the mother consumes drugs, alcohol or is affected by disease during pregnancy
If the child consumes certain foods or food additives

Question 10

What is the treatment for ADHD?

Answer 10

Medications - effective in 70% of children

Behaviour therapies

Question 11

Define: anorexia nervosa

Answer 11

An eating disorder that primarily involves the persistent refusal to maintain body weight at or above a normal level

Question 12

What are 4 symptoms of anorexia nervosa

Answer 12

Loss of weight
Distorted thinking
Loss of menstruation
Other medical problems

Question 13

What percentage of Australian adolescent girls are affected by anorexia?
What proportion are males and females affected?

Answer 13

1%

90% females, 10% males

Question 14

What are the risk factors for anorexia? (5)

Answer 14

Prevalence in family
Genetics
Low self esteem and perfectionistic tendencies
Family and cultural background
The media

Question 15

What is the treatment of anorexia?

Answer 15

In serious case, feeding the patient intravenously until they reach a certain weight
Working with health professionals (dieticians and psychologists) to reduce physical and psychological aspects of the disorder

Question 16

Define: anxiety disorder

Answer 16

A mental disorder characterised by persistent feelings of tension, distress, nervousness and apprehension of fear about the future

Question 17

What are the 5 types of anxiety disorders?

Answer 17

Generalised anxiety disorder
Panic disorder
Panic attack 
Specific phobia
Social anxiety disorder

Question 18

What percentage of Australians aged 16-85 are affected by anxiety?
When is the most common developmental stage?
Is it more common in males or females?

Answer 18

14.4%
Adulthood
Females

Question 19

What at the risk factors for developing anxiety disorders? (5)

Answer 19

Singular distressing events
Brain chemistry
Prevalence in family
Personality - poor self esteem and coping skills
Abuse and drug/alcohol abuse

Question 20

What is the treatment for anxiety?

Answer 20

Anti-anxiety medications

Cognitive behaviour therapy

Question 21

Define: schizophrenia

Answer 21

A mental illness characterised by distorted perceptions, bizarre thoughts, disorganised thoughts, disturbed emotions and difficulty in coping with everyday life.

Question 22

What are 4 symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 22

Distorted perceptions - hallucinations
Bizarre thoughts - delusions
Disorganised speech
Disturbed emotions

Question 23

What percentage of the Australian population is affected by schizophrenia?
Are males or females more affected?

Answer 23

1%

Equally

Question 24

What are the risk factors of schizophrenia? (4)

Answer 24

Brain chemistry
Prevalence in the family
Drug use
Stressful life events

Question 25

What is the treatment of schizophrenia?

Answer 25

Anti-psychotic medication

Cognitive behaviour therapy

Question 26

Define: dementia

Answer 26

A group of brain-related disorders characterised by the progressive deterioration of mental functioning, particularly memory impairment

Question 27

What are the 4 types of dementia?

Answer 27

Alzheimer’s disease
Vascular dementia
Pick’s disease
Parkinson’s disease

Question 28

What are 4 general symptoms of schizophrenia?

Answer 28

Memory impairment
Decline in intellectual abilities
Poor social skills
Abnormal emotional reactions

Question 29

3/4 of people with dementia are diagnosed after what age?

What percentage diagnosed are women and men?

Answer 29

75

62%, 38%

Question 30

What are the risk factors of developing dementia? (4)

Answer 30

Genetics
Lifestyle that increases the risk of head trauma or stroke
Drug abuse
Exposure to chemical toxins

Question 31

What is the treatment of dementia?

Answer 31

Depends on the type and severity
Treatment plans to maintain quality of life
Medication to reduce symptoms

Question 32

Define: autism

Answer 32

A mental disorder which usually begins in infancy and is characterised by extreme unresponsive ness to others, poor communication skills and highly repetitive, routine-type behaviours.