Psychological Flashcards
Affective disorders
Disturbances in mood or emotion. States of extreme happiness or sadness and mood can alternate without cause.
Bipolar - Alternating periods of depression and mania, typically begins in females in 20s
Depression - Slower mental and physical activity, poor self esteem, immobilized from everyday activities, desire to withdraw, delusions in severe cases
Mania - Constantly active, impulses immediately expressed, unrealistic activity, elation and self-confidence, disorganized thoughts and speech, disagreement may lead to aggression
Dissociative Disorders
Dissociates one part of the mind from the rest.
Multiple personality - Rare disorder; two or more independent personalities, each person may or may not know about each other.
Psychogenic amnesia - Forgets all aspects of past
Neuroses Disorders
Individuals exhibiting fear and maladaptive strategies in dealing with stress and everyday stimuli.
Anxiety disorder - Constant high tension, overreacts in certain instances, apprehension and chronic worry, acute anxiety attacks.
Obsessive compulsive disorder - Obsessions (persistent thoughts that wont’ leave), compulsions (repetitive ritual behaviors), thoughts/rituals that interfere with daily living, unable to control irrational behavior, commonly begins in young adulthood.
Phobia disorder - excessive fear that are irrational, fear creates difficulty in everyday life, may develop from traumatic experiences/observation/classical conditioning.
Personality disorder
Dysfunctional behavior, views of society, level of sadness.
Antisocial behavior - Concern for others, blames other institutions for their actions, typically seen 16 years of age, violates rights of others, lacks responsibility and emotional stability.
Borderline behavior - Instability in all aspects of life, projection, denial, defensiveness, unpredictable mood or behavior, intense and uncontrolled anger, chronic feelings of emptiness.
Narcissistic behavior - incapable of loving others, self-absorbed, obsessed with success/power, unrealistic perception of self-importance.
Psychopathic personality - low morality, poor sense of responsibility, no respect for others, impulsive behavior for immediate gratification, high frustration, little remorse/guilt for action, inability to alter behavior, expert liar.
Schizophrenia disorders
Psychotic in nature and present with disorganization of thought, hallucinations, emotional dysfunction, anxiety, and perceptual impairments. Causes include traumatic events, genetics, biochemical imbalances, and environmental influence.
Catatonic schizophrenia - Motor disturbances with rigid posture, uncontrolled movements, medication required to regulate.
Disorganized schizophrenia - usually progressive and irreversible with inappropriate emotional responses, mumbled talking.
Paranoid schizophrenia - Delusions of grandeur and persecution, may believe they progress special powers.
Somatoform disorders
Conversion disorder - paralysis, deafness, blindness, paresthesia with no underlying cause/physical ailment.
Hypochondriasis disorder - Excessive fear of illness
Somatization disorder - Primarily in women, familial association, chronic and long lasting. Complaints of symptoms with no physiological basis. Resembles hypochondriasis disorder.
Antianxiety Agents
Action: Target CNS through facilitating the effects of GABA or targeting dopamine and serotonin.
Indications: anxiety, OCD, PTSD, panic disorder
Side effects: drowsiness, sedation, withdrawal symptoms
Examples: Benzodiazepines: xanax (alprazolam), valium (diazepam), ativan (lorazepam). Azapirones: BuSpar (buspirone). SRRIs: Effexor (venlafaxine), Paxil (paroxetine)
Antidepressant Agents
Action: Increase aminergic transmission and normalize neurotransmission activity.
Indications: depression or anxiety
Side effects: sedation, blurred vision, tachycardia, dry mouth, insomnia, weight gain, sexual dysfunction
Examples: Triclyclics, MAOIs, SSRIs
Antipsychotic Agents (Neuroleptic Agents)
Action: Blocks dopamine receptors and reduce overactivity of dopamine in areas like the limbic system.
Indications: Schizophrenia, various psychotic disorders, Alzheimer’s (certain cases)
Side effects: motor effects, dyskinesia, pseudoparkinsonism, akathisia, sedation, constipation, dry mouth, weight gain, DM, hyperlipidemia.
Examples: Haldol, thorazine, risperdal, abilify.
Bipolar disorder agents
Action: Focus on prevention of manic episodes to avoid mood swings.
Indications: Bipolar or manic-depressive disorders
Side effects: GI distress, dyskinesia, fatigue, confusion, ataxia, nystagmus, lethargy, tremor, Parkinsonism, seizure, diabetes, insipidus, toxicity, coma, risk of death.
Examples: Lithobid (lithium). Antipsychotics: Clozaril (clozapine), Risperdal (risperidone). Antiseizures: Tegretol (carbamazepine), neurontin (gabapentin).
Sedative-hypnotic agents (Benzodiazepine and Non-benzodiazepine)
Action: Sedative agents produce calming and relaxation while hypnotic agents induce sleep. Benzodiazapines and non-benzodiazapines provide CNS depression through inhibitory effects of GABA.
Indications: anxiety, preoperative sedation, insomnia
Side effects: Drowsiness, decreased motor performance, anterograde amnesia, tolerance, dependency, rebound insomnia with withdrawal.
Examples: Benzodiazepine: Halcion (triazolam), Dalmane (flurazepam). Non-benzodiazepine: Lumina (phenobarbital), Sonata (zaleplon), Ambien (zolpidem).
