Psychiatry Flashcards
What is negative reinforcement?
You remove a stimulus to increase a behavior
What is dissociation? Give an example.
A drastic, temporary modification of identity / character to avoid emotional distress
-> feel numb and detached when thinking about abusive event
What is Fixation? How does it differ from Regression? Give an example
Part of your personality remains at a more childish level of development
i.e. A surgeon handles conflicts via throwing tantrums in the operating room
vs Regression where you previously developed the ability to maturely handle problems, but INVOLUNTARILY turn back the maturational clock to earlier modes of dealing with the world (i.e. a child starts bed-wetting after new stressor).
What is identification? Give an example?
Unconscious assumption of the characteristics, qualities or traits of another person or group. This happens when you internalize the qualities of someone as part of their identity, and you want to be like them.
I.e. a child who stays up late to be like his parents
What is Isolation of Affect? Example?
Separating feelings from ideas and events
-> i.e. describing murder in graphic detail with no emotional response, as if he was describing the weather
What is reaction formation vs sublimation?
Reaction formation -> doing the opposite of an unacceptable wish or impulse. I.e. going to a monastery when you feel like having sex, overcompensating but not being genuine. (unconscious)
Sublimation -> channeling those feelings into something positive / something that does not conflict with your value system -> i.e. former cocaine addict works for a substance abuse hotline to help others after he feels like smoking da crack (conscious)
How does suppression differ from repression and denial?
Suppression is conscious
Repression and denial are not conscious
Repression involves involuntarily holding a feeling from consciousness / awarenss
Suppression is saving that feeling until you are ready to deal with it -> Voluntary
What are the longterm effects of infant stimulus depression? How long do they have to be deprived for irreversible changes?
Effects of deprivation longterm:
- Anaclitic depression - Children become susceptible to physical illness and are depressed when separated from primary caregiver
- Social / emotional deficits - poor socialization / language / trust in others
- Physical effects - failure to thrive, even death
> 6 months = irreversible changes
What is reactive attachment disorder?
Infant withdrawn / unresponsive to comfort following attachment difficulties.
Who is the normal abuser in the case of physical abuse? Where will hemorrhages / hematomas typically occur?
Usually the biological MOTHER
Subdural hematomas
Retinal hemorrhages
What is the peak incidence of sexual abuse of a child?
Age 9-12 years old
What is vulnerable child syndrome? What will result
When parents perceive the child as especially susceptible to illness / injury, usually following a serious illness or life-threatening event of child
-> can result in missed school or overuse of medical services
What are the two subtypes of ADHD and when must they be present before to make a diagnosis?
Inattentive subtype
Hyperactive / impulsive subtype
Must be present before age 12
What are first line and second line pharmacotherapies for ADHD?
First line: Stimulants - Methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine
Second line: Alpha-2 agonists - Guanfacine, Clonidine
NRI - Atomoxetine
Is oppositional behavior normal in development?
Yes, it normally peaks around age 2 (the terrible two’s)
What are the two kinds of disruptive behavior disorders (DBD)?
- Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
2. Conduct disorder (CD)
When does ODD start, and what do many children go on to develop?
Usually before age 8, many children will develop conduct disorder later in life
When is conduct disorder (CD) diagnosed and what is it generally?
Repetitive & persistent pattern of behavior in which basic rights of others or major age-appropriate societal norms / rules are violated
Diagnosed until 18, or after age 18 if criteria for antisocial personality disorder are not met
Do most CD adolescents develop into antisocial personality disorder? How are they related?
No, but a diagnosis of conduct disorder between age 15 is required for ASPD diagnosis
What are the three evidence-based psychosocial treatments for CD and which one shows a long-term reduction in arrest / incarceration?
- Parent Management Training
- Probleming-Solving Skills Training
(First two are same as ODD) - Multisystemic Therapy (MST) -> leads to a reduction in re-arrest. Includes involvement of school, home, justice system, etc.
There is NO indication for pharmacotherapy!!!!
When is autism typically diagnosed, and is it more common in boys or girls?
Typically diagnosed around age 4, more common in boys
-> symptoms typically noticed by 2nd year of life
Symptoms may not precipitate until the social demands exceed their capacities, or may be masked by coping techniques
What are the diagnostic features of ASD?
- Poor social interactions, social communication deficits
2. Repetitive / ritualized behaviors, and restricted interests.
How is head size associated with autism?
Macrocephaly is associated with autism (enlarged head)
What causes Rett syndrome and who gets it?
X-linked dominant MECP2 gene mutation -> homozygous lethal in males
MeCP2 gene = Methyl Cytosine-binding Protein 2 -> needed for brain development
-> cases are usually de novo, but some are rarely asymptomatic (not penetrant)
Seen in females only