Mental Illness Flashcards
What is Descartes theory of mind/body distinction?
The human mind is distinct from the brain. The body could have physical ailments (physicians and medicine), but disorders of the mind were spiritual in nature (clergymen and religion)
What is a mental illness?
A diagnosable disorder of thought, mood, or behavior, which causes severe distress and impairs daily function
What is Freud’s theory of psychoanalysis for mental illness?
The idea that much of mental life is unconscious and past experiences, particularly in childhood, shape how a person will feel and respond throughout life
What is the treatment for mental illness according to Freud?
Help patient uncover secrets of the unconscious that often occurred during childhood and were suppressed from consciousness
What is Skinner’s Theory of behaviorism of mental illness?
Mental illness occurs when maladaptive behaviors are learned
What is psychotherapy treatment?
Relies solely on verbal communication to help the patient
Talk therapy is not appropriate for all mental disorders
What are anxiety disorders?
The most common psychiatric disorders.
Involve the inappropriate and pathological expression of fear, which prevents normal function.
Panic disorder
Agoraphobia
Generalized anxiety disorder
Social phobia
What is a panic disorder?
Recurrent panic attacks
Feelings of intense terror
Palpitations, sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain,
Feels like you are having a heart attack
What is agoraphobia?
Fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or embarrassing
What is PTSD?
Experiencing or witnessing a shocking event or events causing stress
What are PTSD symptoms?
Increased anxiety
Intrusive memories
Dreams or flashbacks of the traumatic experiences
Emotional numbness
What is OCD?
Recurring intrusive thoughts, and worries that the person perceives as being inappropriate.
Then repetitive behaviors to relieve the anxiety associated with obsessions
What are some of the biological bases of anxiety disorders?
Genetic predisposition for many anxiety disorders.
Stressful life events for others.
What role does regulation of HPA axis has on anxiety disorders?
Anxiety disorders have been associated with hyperactivity of the amygdala or hypoactivity of the hippocampus
What is psychotherapy for anxiety disorders?
Gradually expose the patient to the stimuli that produce the anxiety
Reinforce the notion that the stimuli are not dangerous
What are benzodiazepines?
Anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) drugs
Addictive, diazepam
Bind to GABA receptor and enhance function
Suppress activity in brain circuits including those used in stress response Alcohol has same effect
What are serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
Anxiety-reducing drug
Prolongs actions of 5-HT by blocking reuptake
Can take 4-6 weeks to become effective
Increases number glucocorticoid receptors in hippocampus
Increase neurogenesis in the hippocampus
What are examples of disorders of mood?
Major Depression, Bipolar disorder
What is major depression disorder?
Severe symptoms that interfere with daily life
symptoms include feelings of guilt and worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, recurrent thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts
What is bipolar disorder?
Characterized by cycling mood changes- from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression)
Type 1- mania with or without periods of extreme depression
Type 2- hypomania with extreme depression
What is the monoamine hypothesis?
Idea that mood disorders arose from depleted levels of serotonin and norepinephrine
Depression must be a deficit in one of these neurotransmitter systems, which can be repaired with antidepressants
What are MAO inhibitors?
Enhance NE and 5-HT action by preventing enzymatic destruction
What are tricycles?
Enhance NE and 5-HT action by blocking reuptake
What are limitations of monoamine hypothesis?
SSRI require weeks to achieve clinical efficacy and do not work in up to 40% patients but does works up to 60%
