Psych - Pathology (Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Delusional & Dissociative disorders) Flashcards
Pg. 505-506 in First Aid 2014 Sections include: -Psychosis -Hallucination types -Schizophrenia -Delusional disorder -Dissociative disorders
What is Psychosis? What are its 3 main characteristics?
A distorted perception of reality (psychosis) characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and/or disorganized thinking
Psychosis can occur in patients with what kind of condition(s)?
Psychosis can occur in patients with medical illness, psychiatric illness, or both.
What are hallucinations? Give an example.
Perceptions in the absence of external stimuli (e.g., seeing a light that is not actually present)
What are delusions? Give an example.
Unique, false beliefs about oneself or others that persist despite facts (e.g., thinking aliens are communicating with you).
Describe disorganized speech.
Words and ideas are strung together based on sounds, puns, or “loose associations”
What are 7 types of Hallucinations?
(1) Visual (2) Auditory (3) Olfactory (4) Gustatory (5) Tactile (6) HypnaGOgic (7) HypnoPOMPic
Of what type of illness are visual hallucinations more commonly a feature? Give an example of such an illness.
More commonly a feature of medical illness (e.g., drug intoxication) than psychiatric illness
Of what type of illness are auditory hallucinations more commonly a feature? Give an example of such an illness.
More commonly a feature of psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia) than medical illness
What are 2 conditions in which olfactory hallucinations often occur?
Often occur as an aura of psychomotor epilepsy and in brain tumors
In what condition are tactile hallucinations common? Give an example. In what other condition are tactile hallucinations also seen?
Common in alcohol withdrawal (e.g., formication - the sensation of bugs crawling on one’s skin). Also seen in cocaine abusers (“cocaine crawlies”).
When do hypnagogic hallucinations occur?
hypnaGOgic: Occurs while GOing to sleep
When do hypnopompic hallucinations occur?
hypnoPOMPic: Occurs while waking from sleep (Think: “POMPous upon awakening”)
Define Schizophrenia.
Chronic mental disorder with periods of psychosis, disturbed behavior and thought, and decline in functioning that lasts > 6 months.
What are 2 brain changes associated with Schizophrenia?
Associated with increased dopaminergic activity, decreased dendritic branching.
What does diagnosis of Schizophrenia require? Clarify positive versus negative symptoms.
Diagnosis requires 2 or more of the following (first 4 in this list are “positive symptoms”): (1) Delusions (2) Hallucinations - often auditory (3) Disorganized speech (loose associations) (4) Disorganized or catatonic behavior (5) “Negative symptoms” - flat affect, social withdrawal, lack of motivation, lack of speech or thought
What distinguishes Brief psychotic disorder (from Schizophrenia)?
Brief psychotic disorder - <1 month, usually stress related
What distinguishes Schizophreniform disorder (from Schizophrenia)?
1-6 months
To what is Brief psychotic disorder usually related?
Usually stress related
What distinguishes Schizoaffective disorder (from Schizophrenia)?
At least 2 weeks of stable mood with psychotic symptoms, plus a major depressive, manic, or mixed (both) episode.
What are the 2 subtypes of Schizoaffective disorder?
2 subtypes: (1) Bipolar or (2) Depressive
What factors in general contribute to the etiology of Schizophrenia?
Genetics and environment contribute to the etiology of Schizophrenia
Frequent use of what substance is associated with psychosis/schizophrenia in teens?
Frequent cannabis use is associated with psychosis/schizophrenia in teens.
What if the lifetime prevalence of Schizophrenia? How does this differ by gender and race?
Lifetime prevalence - 1/5% (males = females, blacks = whites)
How does age of presentation of Schizophrenia differ by gender?
Presents earlier in men (late teens to early 20s vs. late 20s to early 30s in women)
For what are Schizophrenia patients at an increased risk?
Patients are at increased risk for suicide.
Define Delusional disorder. Give an example.
Fixed, persistent, untrue belief system lasting > 1 month. Functioning otherwise not impaired; Example: a woman who genuinely believes she is married to a celebrity when, in fact, she is not.
What are 2 types of Dissociative disorders?
(1) Dissociative identity disorder (2) Depersonalization/Derealization disorder
What was Dissociative identity disorder formerly known as?
Formerly known as multiple personality disorder.
What is Dissociative identity disorder (Multiple personality disorder)?
Presence of 2 or more distinct identities or personality states
In which gender is Dissociative identity disorder more common?
More common in women.
What are 6 conditions associated with Dissociative identity disorder?
Associated with history of (1) sexual abuse, (2) PTSD, (3) depression, (4) substance abuse, (5) borderline personality, and (6) somatoform conditions.
What is Depersonalization/Derealization disorder?
Persistent feelings of detachment or estrangement from one’s own body, thoughts, perceptions, and actions (depersonalization) or one’s environment (derealization)
