Psych pathology

Question 1

Manic episode

Answer 1

Lasts at least 1 week.

Characterized by “DIG FAST”: Distractibility, Irresponsibility, Gradiosity, Flight of ideas, increased Activity/Agitation, decreased need for Sleep, and Talkativeness (pressured speech)

Question 2

Hypomanic episode

Answer 2

Lasts at least 4 consecutive days

Not severe enough to cause marked impairment

Question 3

Bipolar disorder

Answer 3

Bipolar 1 = manic episode +/- hypomanic/depressive episode
Bipolar 2 = hypomanic and depressive episodes
Cyclothymic disorder = dysthymia and hypomania (lasts at least 2 years)

Tx: lithium, valproic acid, carbamazepine, atypical antipsychotics

Question 4

Generalized anxiety disorder

Answer 4

Pattern of uncontrollable anxiety for at least 6 months that is unrelated to a specific person, situation or event.
Tx: SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, CBT

Compared to adjustment disorder (symptoms in response to a identifiable psychosocial stressor and last LESS than 6 months)

Question 5

Cluster A personality disorders

Answer 5

“Weird” - paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal

Question 6

Cluster B personality disorders

Answer 6

“Wild” - antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic

Question 7

Cluster C personality disorders

Answer 7

“Worried”:

• avoidant (desires relationship with others unlike schizoid)
• obsessive-compulsive (ego-syntonic unlike OCD)
• dependent

Question 8

Delirium tremens

Answer 8

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome that peaks 2-5 days after last drink. Symptoms (in order of appearance) include: autonomic system hyperactivity (tachycardia, tremors, seizures), pschotic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions), confusion.

Tx: benzos (diazepam, lorezepam, chlordiazepoxide)