Psychiatry Flashcards
what are the theories about what causes schizophrenia?
Psychoanalytic- severe breakdown of the ego
Behavioural- reinforcement, observational learning and shaping affect development of schizophrenia
Cognitive- schizophrenia is severely irrational thinking
Biological-dopamine, structural defects in brain, genetic influences
Stress-vulnerability model- a biological sensitivity or vulnerability to a certain disorder will develop under the right conditions of environmental or emotional stress.
What is the lifetime risk of schizophrenia?
1% in general population
8-10% risk in siblings
What are the two main parts of the stress response?
The sympathetic nervous system
The limbic hypothalamo pituitary adrenal axis
What are the components of the limbic system?
Hippocampus Septal area Amygdala Prefrontal cortex Cingulate gyrus
What is the hippocampus?
A curved piece of cortex which is folded into the medial surface of the temporal lobe.
It is involved in memory and expressions of emotion.
What is the amygdala?
Collection of nuclei next to hippocampus which drives related behaviours and processing of associated emotions.
What effect does the sympathetic nervous system have in the stress response?
Increased heart rate and force of contraction
Dilated bronchi
What is general adaptation syndrome?
Alarm reaction causes NA release from sympathetic nerves
Adrenaline and noradrenaline release from adrenal medulla
Cortisol release from adrenal cortex.
Resistance- action of cortisol is longer lasting than adrenaline- allowing maintenance of response to stress.
Exhaustion- prolonged stress causes continued cortisol secretion leading to muscle wastage, suppression of immune system and hyperglycaemia.
What are the different kinds of anxiety disorders?
Social phobias Specific phobias Generalised anxiety disorder Panic disorder OCD PTSD
What is theory of how anxiety disorders are generated?
Decreased levels of GABA in cortex. Increasing levels of serotonin may stimulate serotonin receptors in hippocampus leading to neuroprotection, neurogenesis and reduction of anxiety.
What is the mainstay of treatment for anxiety disorders?
SSRIs
CBT
Pregabalin- is a GABA analogue.
What is an obsession?
A thought that persists and dominates an individuals thinking despite their awareness that the thought is without purpose, or has dominated their thinking beyond the point of relevance or usefulness.
What are compulsions?
Obsessional motor acts. May result from obsessional impulse that leads directly to action, or they may be mediated by an obsessional mental image.
What are the diagnostic criteria for OCD?
Obsessions/ compulsions/ both are present on most days for a period of 2 weeks.
These:
Originate in mind of patient
Acknowledged as excessive or unreasonable
Patient tries to resist but at least one obsessions/ compulsion is unsuccessfully resisted.
Carrying out thought or act is not pleasurable
They must cause distress or interfere with patients social or individual functioning.
When do OCDs usually begin?
In adolescence or early adulthood
33% start between 10-15 years old
75% started by age 30
What is the prevalence of OCD in an individuals lifetime?
2%
What is the suggested pathophysiology of OCD?
Re-entry ciruits in basal ganglia
Reduced serotonin
What is PANDAS-
Paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infection?
Sudden onset of OCD symptoms or tics after infection with group A beta haemolytic strep.
Usually dramatic onset of psychiatric or behavioural problems.
Antibodies cross react with neurons in basal ganglia causing symptoms.
What are the core symptoms of depression (3)
Low mood
Lack of energy
Anhedonia- lack of enjoyment in things you would have previously been interested in
What is the difference between an adjustment reaction and depression?
Adjustment reaction- symptoms develop suddenly
Symptoms fluctuate
Time limited
Preoccupation with event
Depression- symptoms develop gradually, continuous, usually> 2 weeks, lack of interest/ energy.
What are some illnesses that can cause depression?
Hormone disturbance such as thyroid dysfunction
Vitamin deficiencies such as vit B12
Heart and lung disease
Blood vessel disease
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Alcohol misuse
Which brain structures are involved in depressive symptoms?
Limbic system
Frontal lobe
Basal ganglia