Psych. Flashcards
Define Affect.
A feeling or emotion manifested by facial expression or body language
Define anhedonia.
Absence of interest in or pleasure from performance of acts that would ordinarily be
enjoyable
Define anxiolytic.
Medication designed to treat anxiety
Define binge.
Excessive eating beyond amount necessary to satisfy normal appetite
Define catatonia.
Syndrome of psychomotor retardation characterized by periods of physical rigidity and lack
of response to outside stimuli
Define compulsion.
Uncontrollable impulses to perform an act, often repeatedly, as an unconscious
mechanism to avoid unacceptable ideas or desires, which by themselves arouse anxiety
Define delusion.
A false belief or wrong judgment held with conviction despite inconvertible evidence to the
contrary
Define disorganized behavior.
Behavior that is neither goal directed or guided by rational or preconceived
plan
Define disorganized speech.
Speech in which the statements are not logically connected to each other
Define dissociation.
An unconscious separation of a group of mental processes from the rest of the conscious
awareness
Define dysomnia
Disturbance in amount, quality, or timing of sleep
Define executive functioning.
Higher levels of cognitive/mental functioning including planning, abstraction,
inductive reasoning, and organizing
Define hallucination.
Subjective perception of an object or an event when no such stimulus or situation exists
Define illusion
A misinterpretation or false perception of a real sensory stimulus
Define impulse.
Sudden, often unreasonable, determination to perform some act, the performance of which
often provides a sense of relief or a release of tension
Define insomnia.
Inability to fall or stay asleep in absence of external impediments during the period when
sleep should occur
Define mood.
Pervasive feeling, tone, or internal emotional state which, when impaired, can markedly
influence virtually all aspects of a person’s behavior or perception of external events
Define narcissism.
State in which the individual interprets and regards everything in relation to himself and
not to others
Define obsession.
Recurrent and persistent idea, thought or impulse to carry out an act
Define paranoia.
A belief system that includes extreme suspiciousness and mistrust of others
Define psychomotor agitation.
Abnormal increase in physical and emotional behavior
Define psychomotor retardation.
Abnormal slowing in physical and emotional activity
Define psychosis.
Mental and behavioral disorder causing gross distortion or disorganization of a person’s
mental capacity; A defective response and capacity to recognize reality, communicate and relate to
others to the degree of interfering with the person’s capacity to cope with ordinary demands of
everyday life
Define purge.
To cause copious evacuation of the bowels and stomach by induction of vomiting, use of
enemas, or laxatives
Define stressor.
An event or situation that induces psychological, emotional or behavioral distress
What is “the complex somatic, cognitive, affective, and behavioral effects of psychological
trauma?’
PTSD
What are types of trauma related to PTSD?
-Sexual trauma
-Trauma to someone in close interpersonal network
-Interpersonal violence
-Participation in organized violence
- Other type of violent event (MVA, natural disasters)
What are specific considerations regarding armed conflict and combat?
-Correlation seen with presence of and extent of injuries
-Strong correlation with TBI
-Develops over several months
What is the pathophysiology of PTSD?
Unknown
Studies using MRI have shown decreased volume in what areas of the brain?
(a) Left amygdala (fear center)
(b) Hippocampus (memories)
(c) Anterior cingulate cortex
Some response to trauma is considered what in patients?
Considered normal
What are clinical manifestations of PTSD?
(a) Affective dysregulation (anger common)
(b) Cognitive impairment
(c) Several behavior responses in response to regular stimuli:
1) Flashbacks
2) Severe anxiety symptoms
3) Fleeing
4) Combative behaviors
An avoidance to triggering experiences leads to what?
Leads to furthering of symptoms such as emotional numbing,
diminished interests in activities and detachment from others
What is the focus for an IDC regarding PTSD?
Screening
Symptoms must be present for how long for psychiatry
to make the diagnosis of PTSD?
Symptoms must be present for at least four weeks following trauma
What are examples of psychotherapy?
1) Exposure therapy
2) CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
3) EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
How does psychotherapy work? What is the goal?
Helps the patient integrate the events in an adaptive way
Since marital problems and substance abuse are commonly seen in patients with
PTSD what else should be considered for patients?
Referral sources for counseling
What are the first line therapy of choice for PTSD?
Antidepressant medications (SSRIs)
-Sertraline
What is Prazosin used for in PTSD patients?
Nightmares
What are beta blockers used for in PTSD patients?
Tremors and sympathetic responses
What are antipsychotics used for in PTSD patients?
Comorbid psychosis if needed
What are common eating disorders?
(1) Anorexia nervosa
(2) Bulimia nervosa
(3) Binge eating disorder
(4) Pica
(5) Rumination disorder
What screening tool for psychiatric causes can help differentiate between an eating disorder and other causes of weight loss?
“SCOFF”
-Sick
-Control
-One stone
-Fat
-Food
Who is anorexia nervosa more common in?
(1) More common in women
(a) Ratio ranges from 10-20:1
(2) Median age of onset is 18
What are the functions of dopamine?
Eating behavior, motivation and reward
What are the functions of serotonin?
Mood, impulse control, obsessive behavior
What are common physical exam findings of anorexia nervosa?
(a) Low BMI (<17.5)
(b) Emaciation
(c) Hypothermia
(d) Bradycardia
(e) Hypotension
(f) Hypoactive bowel sounds
(g) Xerosis (dry and scaly skin)
(h) Brittle hair and hair loss
(i) Lanugo body hair
(j) Abdominal distention
What is the diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa?
Recurrent episodes of binging and purging and inappropriate compensatory behavior to prevent weight gain
1) Self-induced vomiting
2) Misuse of laxatives
3) Diuretic use
4) Enemas
5) Fasting
6) Excessive exercise
7) Occurring on average at least once per week for three months
What are clinical findings of bulimia nervosa?
(a) Dehydration
(b) Menstrual irregularities
(c) Mallory-Weiss syndrome
(d) Pharyngitis
(e) Erosion of dental enamel
(f) ECG changes may occur
What is binge eating disorder?
(a) Episodes of binge eating
(b) Eating is associated with:
1) Uncomfortably full
2) Eating when not hungry
3) Feelings of embarrassment
4) Feelings of disgust, depression
What is PICA?
(a) Eating of nonfood substances
1) Chalk, dirt, hair, metal, etc
(b) Inappropriate eating behavior for developmental level
(c) Not culturally, socially normal eating
(d) Associated with iron deficiency anemia
What is PICA?
(a) Eating of nonfood substances
1) Chalk, dirt, hair, metal, etc
(b) Inappropriate eating behavior for developmental level
(c) Not culturally, socially normal eating
(d) Associated with iron deficiency anemia
What is PICA?
(a) Eating of nonfood substances
1) Chalk, dirt, hair, metal, etc
(b) Inappropriate eating behavior for developmental level
(c) Not culturally, socially normal eating
(d) Associated with iron deficiency anemia
What is rumination disorder?
(a) Repeated regurgitation of food
1) May be rechewed, reswallowed, or spit out
(b) The regurgitation is not due to GERD, pyloric stenosis, or another medical condition
