Psychiatric terms

Question 1

Circumstantiality

Answer 1

This refers to over-inclusive speech that is delayed in reaching its final goal. It can be a sign of anxiety or hypomania. It is still possible to follow the speech, and it does eventually reach its goal.

or

a thought process in which the patient includes excessive, unnecessary details but eventually returns to the main point

Question 2

Flight of Ideas

Answer 2

a phenomenon which may be seen during a manic phase. It is a rapid shifting of ideas with only superficial associations between them, such that the speech is difficult to follow.

Question 3

An obsession

Answer 3

intrusive, unpleasant and unwanted thought.

Question 4

A compulsion

Answer 4

is a senseless action taken to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession

Question 5

Elementary hallucinations

Answer 5

simple, unstructured sounds e.g. buzzing or whistling

Question 6

Nihilistic delusions

Answer 6

Negative delusions typically congruent with the individual’s depressed mood. Patients may believe that they are dead or that the world has ended. Cotard’s delusion is the belief that oneself is dead or rotting.

Question 7

Mood disorders with psychotic delusions are usually

Answer 7

mood-congruent. In depressive episodes, these might be nihilistic delusions; in manic episodes, they might be grandiose.

Question 8

These are beliefs maintained despite overwhelming contradictory evidence. Delusions occur in various psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychotic depression.

Answer 8

delusions

Question 9

These involve repetitive, stereotypical behaviours that appear purposeful on the surface.

Answer 9

compulsions

Question 10

Refers to a rapid, often uncontrolled stream of thoughts that leap from one topic to another without a clear focus or direction.

Answer 10

flight of ideas

Question 11

This is a severe form of formal thought disorder where the patient uses words in nonsensical or incoherent ways (e.g., ‘Purple monkey dishwasher? Thursday!’).

Answer 11

word salad

Question 12

Involves the creation of new words or phrases that are comprehensible only to the patient.

Answer 12

neologisms

Question 13

Typified by an increased volume and speed of speech, frequently observed in individuals experiencing mania.

Answer 13

pressured speech

Question 14

These are recurrent, senseless thoughts or behaviors. While recognized as irrational by the patient, they often feel powerless to resist them.

Answer 14

obsessions

Question 15

Circumstantial speech refers to a communication style where an individual provides excessive and unnecessary details in conversation, often leading to a delayed and indirect response to the original question.

Answer 15

circumstantial speech

Question 16

involve the use of words or phrases based on their sound rather than their meaning, often resulting in a series of rhyming or alliterative expressions, and can be observed in conditions like schizophrenia.

Answer 16

clang associations

Question 17

A lack of spontaneous speech.

Answer 17

poverty of speech

Question 18

The patient suddenly halts in their thought process and cannot continue.

Answer 18

thought blocking

Question 19

refers to the belief that a patient is dead, non-existent or ‘rotting’. Again, it may occur in psychosis but can appear as a result of parietal lobe lesions.

Answer 19

cotard delusions

Question 20

Describes the presence of physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical condition, drug or other mental health disorder. It is an unconscious process. Common presenting symptoms are gastrointestinal symptoms and abdominal pain, fatigue, weakness and musculoskeletal symptoms.

Patients can present with a dramatic range of physical symptoms which can lead to loss of functioning.

Answer 20

somatoform disorder

Question 21

A psychiatric condition that results in a presentation of neurological symptoms without any underlying neurological cause (e.g. paralysis, pseudoseizures, sensory changes). It is not an intentional process, and the symptoms are very much “real” to the patient. It is linked to emotional stress.

Answer 21

conversion disorder

Question 22

Patients have excessive concern that they will develop a serious illness despite a lack of evidence. Patients often demand unnecessary tests and investigations, and can be quite debilitated as a result of their constant worrying. Patients with hypochondriasis typically have no or very few symptoms unlike Somatoform disorder where patients experience dramatic physical symptoms and experience a degree of disfunction.

Answer 22

hypochondriasis

Question 23

This is a fictitious disorder/disorder by proxy (Munchausen’s by proxy, involving e.g. a parent and a child). Patients intentionally fake signs and symptoms (e.g. adding blood to urine and complaining of pain) in order to gain attention and play “the patient role”. This with fictitious disorders have no insight into their own motivation.

Answer 23

muchausens

Question 24

Patients intentionally (i.e. there is insight) fake or induce illness for secondary gain (usually financial); e.g. drug seeking, disability benefits, avoiding work or prison time.

Answer 24

malingering

Question 25

test used to assess for delirium

Answer 25

4AT