Overview of Mental Illness Flashcards
What is the WHO definition of health?
A state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease
What is the RcPsyc definition of health?
Mental health is not just the absence of mental disorder, it is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community.
What are the 3 most diagnosed mental health conditions?
- Major depressive disorder
- Anxiety
- Drugs and alcohol
Define disease?
Objective pathology
Define Impairment?
Any loss of abnormality of psychological, physiological or anatomical structure or function arising from the pathology
Define disability?
The problem for the person caused by the impairment. Any restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity within the range considered normal for a person.
Define Handicap?
The disadvantage for the person that limits or prevents the fulfilment of a role that is normal.
Define illness?
Subjective awareness of distress
With regards to the definition of disease how can this be applied to schizophrenia?
In schizophrenia there is decreased volume in medial and temporal areas on neuroimaging
With regards to the definition of impairment how can this be applied to schizophrenia?
In schizophrenia there is disordered thinking, cognitive processing and perceptual abnormalities.
With regards to the definition of handicap how can this be applied to schizophrenia?
In schizophrenia there is poor concentration, odd behaviour due to perceptual abnormalities (hallucinations) and disordered thinking (delusions) leads to social disadvantage, poor interpersonal relationships, isolation and stigma
What 2 classification systems can be used to classify mental illnesses?
ICD- 10 (WHO)
and DSM-5 (APA)
What are the advantages of the classification of mental health?
- Diagnosis
- Shorthand communication
- Frames the problem
- Guidance for treatment
- Indication of prognosis
- Offers the patient an explanation
- Demystification of mental illness
What are the disadvantages of classification of mental health?
- Labelling and stigmatisation
- Illusion of understanding
- Limited information
- Some categories contentious & unreliable
- Difficulties if >1 condition
What is the diagnostic pyramid in relation to mental illness?
You need to find out these things when the patient first presents:
- Organic
- Psychotic disorders
- Affective disorders
- Neurotic disorders i.e. anxiety disorders
- Personality disorders
