psychiatry - anxiety, depression, OCD, addiction, self harm, eating disorders and psychosis Flashcards
what is anxiety
psychological and physiological responses to potential/uncertain threat
it is analogous to pain - existing solely to motivate us to avoid doing harmful things
what are the two types of anxiety
state anxiety
trait anxiety
what is state anxiety
the feeling of being anxious - to do with survival and avoiding harm
what is trait anxiety
an individuals tendency to experience state anxiety under a given set of stressors
adaptive modulations of automatic threat response
what can excessive intense/persistent anxiety lead to
significant distresss/impairment
what is anxiety disorder
it can be conceptualised as the self perpetuating network of positive feedback loops, arising from responses which are usually adaptive
physical symptoms of anxiety (8)
- palpitations
- sweating
- dry mouth
- splanchnic vasoconstriction (butterflies)
- tremor
- paraesthesia (pins and needles)
- depersonalisation
- syncope
core features of depression
- pervasive low mood/sadness
- loss of energy (anergia)
- loss of feeling pleasure/enjoyment (anhedonia)
physical symptoms of depression (7)
- loss of appetite
- weight loss
- diurnal variation of mood
- poor sleep
- loss of libido
- constipation
- psychomotor slowing or agitation
psychological symptoms of depression (7)
- poor concentration
- feelings of guilt
- feelings of hopelessness
- low self esteem
- indecisive
- suicidal ideation
- delusions
treatment for depression
antidepressants (see response after 2/3 weeks)
psychological therapies - 12 sessions CBT
social prescribing - exercise, company
what is addiction
compulsion - cannot stop themselves from doing it
repeated negative reinforcement, in the context of persistent states of suffering/distress/tension is a central part of the development of addictions
addiction - opiates/cocaine
addictions have a powerful unconscious component, mediated by the substances’ direct action on neutral circuits for motivation and reward seeking
the social context of addictions is absolutely central to their development
what is compulsion
the experience of overwhelming urges to repeat a behaviour, perhaps even in the knowledge that it is harmful - present in numerous disorders
what is the definition of depression
depression can be conceptualised as a self perpetuating network of positive feedback loops arising from normally adaptive responses
when does self harm typically occur
in the context of low self worth and persistent distress - serving various functions - mainly related to reducing this distress
what is OCD
characterised by intrusive thoughts/images - distressing, involuntary (cannot control despite considerable effort) and compulsive behaviours (serve to relieve state of anxiety/tension)
- negative reinforcement driven by the distress caused by the intrusive thoughts, and cemented by habit formation are central to compulsion in OCD
what is an eating disorder
can be conceptualised as means of reducing intense distress particularly that associated with feeling everything is out of control
OCD symptoms - obsessions
ego-dystonic thoughts repetitive, circular ruminations may be bizarre and sound delusional insight maintained unbidden and resisted resistance can lead to anxiety
OCD - symptoms - compulsions
- motor response to obsessional thoughts
often ristualistic : stereotyped, previse
examples inc. handwashing, counting, arranging and symmetry, checking door locks - starting again if interrupted or in doubt
symptoms of mania (9)
elated mood irritability over energised grandiose little need for sleep poor concentration poor judgement overspending rapid speech
what is psychosis
people who hear voices, disorganised behaviour, thought disorder are considered differently to other mental illnesses, and are seen as less relatable
“off legs”
what is reality failure
group of pathologies which disrupt the process of perceiving and interpreting reality
what is parallel processing
battery of unconscious processes
what is the definition of delusions
fixed false unshakeable beliefs out of context with cultural background
positive symptoms of schizophrenia (6)
hallucinations delusions persecutory/grandiose delusional perceptions delusions of control thought delusions or interference
negative symptoms for schizophrenia
anhedonia
apathy
social withdrawal
blunted mood
disorganised symptoms of schizophrenia
thought disorder
disorganised speech/behaviour
inappropriate affect
