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MCAT Behavioral Sciences > Psychological Disorders > Flashcards

Psychological Disorders Flashcards

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1
Q

Biomedical approach

A

Assumes that any disorder has roots in biomedical areas, requiring a biomedical solution.

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2
Q

Biopsychosocial Approach

A

Assumes that there are biological, psychological, and social components to an individual’s disorder.

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3
Q

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

A

Compilation of many known psychological disorders.

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4
Q

Schizophrenia

A

Psychotic disorder of patients that have delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thought, catatonia, and negative symptoms.

For an individual to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, he must have at least two of these symptoms for six months.

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5
Q

Positive symptoms (of schizophrenia)

A

Behaviors, thoughts, or feelings added to normal behavior (I.e. delusions and hallucinations)

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6
Q

Negative symptoms (of schizophrenia)

A

Involve the absence of normal or desired behavior, such as disturbance of affect and avolition.

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7
Q

Delusions

A

Are false beliefs discordant with reality and not shared by others in the individual’s culture that are maintained in spite of strong evidence to the contrary.

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8
Q

Delusions of reference

A

Involve the belief that common elements in the environment are directed toward the individual (I.e. believes characters in a TV show are talking to him directly).

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9
Q

Delusions of persecution

A

Involve the belief that the person is being deliberately interfered with, discriminated against, plotted against, or threatened.

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10
Q

Delusions of grandeur

A

Also common in bipolar I disorder, involve the belief that the person is remarkable in some significant way, such as being an inventor or religious icon.

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11
Q

Thought broadcasting

A

The belief that one’s thoughts are broadcast directly from one’s head to the external world.

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12
Q

Thought insertion

A

The belief that thoughts are being placed in one’s head.

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13
Q

Hallucinations

A

Perceptions that are not due to external stimuli but have a compelling sense of reality. Most common form is auditory (I.e. hearing voices).

Visual and tactile hallucinations are less common, but could be seen in drug use or withdrawal.

Olfactory and gustatory hallucinations are even less common, but could be experienced during the aura before a seizure.

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14
Q

Disorganized thoughts

A

Characterized by the loosening of associations, exhibited as speech in which ideas shift from one subject to another in such a way that a listener would be unable to follow the train of thought.

Unstructured speech is called word salad. Schizophrenic people invent new words called neologisms.

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15
Q

Disorganized behavior

A

Inability to carry out activities of daily living (I.e. paying bills, maintaining hygiene, and keeping appointments).

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16
Q

Catatonia

A

Certain motor behaviors characteristic of some people with schizophrenia. Spontaneous movement and activity may be greatly reduced or the patient may maintain a rigid posture, refusing to be moved.

Catatonic behavior may include useless and bizarre movements not caused by external stimuli, echolalia (repeating another’s words), or echopraxia (imitating another’s actions).

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17
Q

Disturbance of affect

A

Expression of emotion. Affective symptoms include:

Blunting: a severe reduction in the intensity of affect expression.

Flat affect: virtually no signs of emotional expression.

Inappropriate affect: affect is clearly discordant with the content of the individual’s speech.

Inappropriate affect: the affect is clearly discordant with the content of the individual’s speech (I.e. laughing while talking about parent’s death).

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18
Q

Avolition

A

Decreased engagement in purposeful, goal-directed actions.

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19
Q

Prodromal phase

A

Clear evidence of deterioration, social withdrawal, role functioning impairment, peculiar behavior, inappropriate affect, and unusual experiences. Phase is followed by the q.v. I’ve phase of symptomatic behavior.

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20
Q

Major Depressive disorders

A

Characterized by at least one major depressive episode that is at least 2 weeks with at least 5 of the following symptoms:

1) prominent and relatively persistent depressed mood.
2) loss of interest in all enjoyable activities (anhedonia).
3) appetite disturbances.
4) substantial weight changes.
5) sleep disturbances.
6) decreases energy.
7) feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
8) difficulty concentrating or thinking.
9) psychomotor symptoms (feeling slowed down).
10) thoughts of death or attempts to suicide.

And at least one of the symptoms must be depressed mood or anhedonia.

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21
Q

Symptoms of major depressive episode

A 
Sleep
Interest
Energy
Concentration
Appetite
Psychomotor symptoms
Suicidal thoughts
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22
Q

Persistent depressive disorder

A

Diagnosis is given to individuals suffering from dysthymia (depressed mood that isn’t severe enough to meet the criteria of a major depressive episode for at least 2 years).

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23
Q

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

A

Depressive symptoms are present only in the winter months. It can be related to abnormal melatonin metabolism and is treated with bright light therapy (exposing the patient to a bright light for a specific end amount of time each day).

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24
Q

Manic episodes

A

Characterized by abnormal and persistent elevated mood lasting at least one week with at least three of the following:

1) increased distractibility
2) decreases need for sleep
3) inflated self-esteem or grandiosity (all powerful feeling)
4) racing thoughts
5) increased goal-directed activity or agitation
6) Pressured speech or increased talkativeness
7) involvement in high risk behavior

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25
Q

Bipolar I disorder

A

Has manic episodes with or without major depressive episodes.

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26
Q

Bipolar II disorder

A

Has hypomania with at least one major depressive episode

Hypomania: does not impair functioning, nor are there psychotic features. But the patient may be more energetic and optimistic.

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27
Q

Cyclothymic disorder

A

Combination of hypomanic episodes and periods of dysthymia that are not severe enough to qualify as major depressive episodes.

28
Q

Symptoms of a manic episode

A 
Distractible
Insomnia
Grandiosity
Flight of ideas
Agitation
Speech
Thoughtlessness
29
Q

Monoamine or catecholamine theory of depression

A

Holds that too much norepinephrine and serotonin in the synapse leads to mania, while too little leads to depression.

30
Q

Most common psychiatric disorders

A

For women of all ages: anxiety disorders

For men: substance use disorder

31
Q

Generalized anxiety disorder

A

Common on population and is defined as a disproportionate and persistent worry about many different things (making mortgage payments, doing a good job at work, returning emails, etc.) for at least 6 months. Physical symptoms show fatigue, muscle tensions, and sleep problems.

32
Q

Specific phobias

A

Most common type of anxiety disorder. An irrational fear of something that results in a compelling desire to avoid it, but is produced by specific object or situation.

33
Q

Social anxiety disorder

A

Characterized by anxiety that is due o social situations. Have persistent fear when exposed to social or performance situations that may result in embarrassment (delivering speech, parties, etc.)

34
Q

Agoraphobia

A

Characterized by a fear of being in places or in situations where it might be hard for an individual to escaped. Tend to be uncomfortable leaving their homes for fear of a panic attack or exacerbation of another mental illness.

35
Q

Panic disorder

A

Consists of repeated panic attacks. Symptoms include:

Fear and apprehension
Trembling
Sweating
Hyperventilation
Sense of unreality

Have sudden struck of “impending doom and convince that they are about to lose their minds. Panic disorder is frequently accompanied by agoraphobia.

36
Q

Obsessive compulsive disorder

A

Characterized by obsession (persistent, intrusive thoughts and impulses) that produce tension, and compulsions (repetitive tasks) that relieve tension but cause significant impairment in a person’s life.

Obsession raise stress : compulsions relive stress.

37
Q

Body dysmorphic disorder

A

A person has an unrealistic negative evaluation of his personal appearance and attractiveness, usually directed toward a certain body part.

38
Q

Dissociative disorders

A

Person avoids stress by escaping from his identity, but otherwise has a an intact sense of reality (I.e. amnesia, dissociative identity disorder, etc.)

39
Q

Dissociative amnesia

A

Characterized by an inability to recall past experiences that NOT due to a neurological disorder (often linked to trauma). Person may also suffer from dissociative fugue (a sudden, unexpected move or purposeless wandering away from one’s home or location of usual daily activities.

40
Q

Dissociative identity disorder (DID)

A

There are two or more personalities that recurrently take control of a person’s behavior. Results when the components of identity fail to integrate, And in most cases, suffered severe physical or sexual abuse as young children.

41
Q

Depersonalization/derealization disorder

A

Individuals feel detached from their own mind and body (depersonalization), or from their surroundings (derealization).

42
Q

Somatic symptom disorder

A

Have at least one somatic symptom, which may or may not be linked to an underlying medical condition, but accompanied by disproportionate concerns about its seriousness, devotion of an excessive amount of time and energy to it, or elevated levels of anxiety.

43
Q

Illness anxiety disorder

A

Characterized by being consumed with thoughts about having or developing a serious medical condition. Patients become quickly alarmed about their health and excessively check themselves for signs of illness or avoid medical appointments altogether.

44
Q

Conversion disorder

A

Unexplained symptoms affecting voluntary motor or sensory functions. Symptoms begin after patient experiences high levels of stress or a traumatic event, but not develop until some time has passed.

Examples: paralysis or blindness without evidence of neurological damage.

45
Q

La belle indifference

A

Person surprisingly unconcerned by a major symptom.

46
Q

Personality disorder

A

A pattern of behavior that is inflexible and maladaptive, causing distress or impaired functioning in at least two of the following:

Cognition
Emotions
Interpersonal functioning
Impulse control

This disorder is considered ego-syntonic (individual perceives her behavior as correct, normal, or in harmony with her goals).

47
Q

Ego-dystonic

A

Individual sees the illness as something thrust upon her that is intrusive and bothersome.

48
Q

General personality disorder

A

Ten personality disorder grouped into 3 clusters:

Cluster A: paranoid, schizotypal, and schizoid. (Weird)
Cluster B: antisocial, borderline, histrionic and narcissistic. (Wild)
Cluster C: avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive. (Worried)

49
Q

Paranoid personality disorder

A

A pervasive mistrust of theta and suspicion regarding their motives.

50
Q

Shizotypal personality disorder

A

A pattern of odd or eccentric thinking. May have ideas of references (similar to delusions of references, but not as intense) as well as magical thinking (such as superstitiousness or belief in clairvoyance).

51
Q

Schizoid personality disorder

A

A pervasive pattern of detachment from social relationships and restricted range of emotional expression.

52
Q

Antisocial personality disorder

A

Three times more common in males than in females. A pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others. (Repeated illegal acts, deceitfulness, aggressiveness, or a lack of remorse for said actions.

53
Q

Borderline personality disorder

A

Two times more common in females than in males. There is pervasive instability in interpersonal behavior, mood, and self-image. Interpersonal relationships are often intense and unstable. Patients may use splitting (viewing others as either all good or all bad).

54
Q

Histrionic personality disorder

A

Constant attention seeking behavior. Often wear colorful clothing, are dramatic, and or exceptionally extroverted.

55
Q

Narcissistic personality disorder

A

Having a grandiose sense of self importance or uniqueness, preoccupation with fantasies of success, a need for constant admiration and attention, and characteristic disturbances in interpersonal relationships such as feelings of entitlement.

56
Q

Avoidant personality disorder

A

The affected individual has extreme shyness and fear of rejection. Sees himself as socially inept and is often socially isolated, despite an intense desire for social affection and acceptance.

57
Q

Dependent personality disorder

A

A continuous need for reassurance. Patients with this disorder tend to remain independent on one specific person to take action or make decisions.

58
Q

Obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD)

A

A perfectionist and inflexible, tending to like rules and order. Inability to discard worn out objects, lack of desire to change, excessive stubbornness, lack of sense of humor, and maintenance of careful routines.

59
Q

Schizophrenia

A

Most potential causes are genetic, but trauma at birth (hypoxemia) is also a risk factor. Other exposures such as excessive marijuana use in adolescence increases risk. It is also partially inherited.

Schizophrenia is highly associated with an excess of dopamine. Medications used to treat block dopamine receptors.

60
Q

Depressive and bipolar disorders

A

Markers of depression:

1) abnormally high glucose metabolism in the amygdala.
2) hippocampal atrophy after long duration of illness.
3) abnormally high levels of glucocorticoids (cortisol)
4) decreased norepinephrine
5) decreased serotonin
6) decreased dopamine

These neurotransmitters and their metabolites are decreased.

For bipolar disorders, the factors are:

1) increased norepinephrine
2) increased serotonin
3) higher risk if parent has bipolar disorder
4) higher risk for persons with multiple sclerosis

61
Q

Alzheimer’s disease

A

A type of dementia characterized by gradual memory loss, disorientation to time and place, problems with abstract thought, and a tendency to misplace things. Later stages of the disease are changes in mood or behavior, in personality, difficulty with procedural memory, poor judgement, and loss of initiative.

Most common in patients older than 65 for women than in men. Family history is a significant risk factor and lower risk of developing with higher levels of education.

62
Q

Biological markers of Alzheimer’s disease

A

1) diffuse atrophy of the brain on CT or MRI.
2) flattened sulci in the cerebral cortex.
3) enlarged cerebral ventricles.
4) deficient blood flow in parietal lobes, which is correlated with cognitive decline.
5) reduction in levels of acetylcholine.
6) reduction in choline acetyltranferase (ChAT), enzyme that produces acetylcholine.
7) reduces metabolism in temporal and parietal lobes.
8) senile plaques of B-amyloid (a misfolded protein in B-pleated sheet form).
9) neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein.

63
Q

Parkinson’s disease

A

Characterized by:

bradykinesia (slowness in movement)

resting tremor (a tremor that appears when muscles aren’t being used)

pill-rolling tremor (flexing and extending the fingers while moving the thumb back and forth)

masklike facies (a facial expression consisting of static and expressionless facial features, staring eyes, and a partially open mouth)

Cogwheel rigidity (muscle tension that intermittently halts movement as an examiner attempts to manipulate a limb)

Shuffling gait (stopped posture)

Dementia

64
Q

Substantia Nigra

A

Layer of cells in the brain that functions to produce dopamine to permit proper functioning of the basal ganglia.

65
Q

L-DOPA

A

A precursor that is converted to dopamine once in the brain, replacing what is lost due to Parkinson’s disease.

MCAT Behavioral Sciences (7 decks)

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