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MCAT- Psychology and Sociology > Psychological Disorders > Flashcards

Psychological Disorders Flashcards

1
Q

What is direct therapy?

A

Treatment that acts directly on the individual, such as medication or periodic meetings with a psychologist

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2
Q

What is indirect therapy?

A

Aims to increase social support by educating family and friends of the affected individual

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3
Q

What is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)?

A

A manual originally made to collect statistical data in the US but became a diagnostic tool for mental disorders

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4
Q

What information does the DSM 5 contain? How does it aid purpose?

A

Description of symptoms of mental symptoms which is used to help clinicians fit compiled lists of symptoms to diagnose patients

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5
Q

What type of disorder is schizophrenia?

A

A prototypical psychotic disorder

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6
Q

According to the DSM 5, psychotic individuals must suffer from at least one of the following:

A
  • delusions
  • hallucinations
  • disorganized thought
  • disorganized behavior
  • catatonia
  • negative symptoms
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7
Q

What must occur for a patient to be described as schizophrenic?

A

They must show continuous signs of the disturbance for at least 6 months and include 1 month of “active symptoms”(delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech)

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8
Q

Symptoms of schizophrenia are split into

A

Positive and negative types

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9
Q

Define positive symptoms of schizophrenia

A

Behaviors, thoughts and feelings added to normal behavior such as hallucinations, disorganized thought

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10
Q

Name and give examples of the 2 dimensions of positive symptoms of schizophrenia

A

Psychotic dimension- delusions, hallucination

Disorganized dimension-disorganized thought and behavior

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11
Q

Define negative symptoms of schizophrenia

A

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

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12
Q

What are delusions?

A

False beliefs discordant with reality and not shared by others in the individual’s culture that are maintained despite contradictory evidence

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13
Q

What are the common delusions of schizophrenia?

A

Delusions of reference, grandeur and persecution

Also thought broadcasting, thought insertions

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14
Q

What are delusions of reference?

A

Involve the belief that elements in the environment are directed toward the individual (such as tv show characters talking to them)

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15
Q

What are delusions of persecution?

A

Involve the beliefs of the person being targeted against/threatened

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16
Q

What are delusions of grandeur?

A

Also a common bipolar 1 disorder, involves the person is remarkable I’m a significant way, such as historical figure or religious icon

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17
Q

What is thought broadcasting?

A

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

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18
Q

What is thought insertion?

A

Belief that thoughts are being inserted into ones head

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19
Q

What are hallucinations?

A

Perceptions that are not due to external stimuli but have a compelling sense of reality

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20
Q

Give the types of hallucinations in order of most common first and least common last

A
  1. Auditory
  2. Visual and tactile hallucinations
  3. Olfactory and gustatory
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21
Q

What is disorganized thought?

A

Characterized by loosening associations such as speech which shifts ideas, words being used together incomprehensibly (word salad)

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22
Q

What are neologisms?

A

When a person may invent new words(common in schizophrenia)

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23
Q

What is disorganized behavior?

A

An inability to carry out activities of daily living such as paying bills and keeping appointments

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24
Q

What is catatonia?

A

Certain motor behaviors spontaneous which are characteristic of some people with schizophrenia.

Include spontaneous movement may be reduced, may maintain a rigid posture, refusing to be moved

Also include echolalia and echopraxia

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25
Q

What are echolalia and echopraxia?

A

Echolalia- repeating another’s words

Echopraxia- repeating another’s actions

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26
Q

What is blunting?

A

A negative schizophrenic symptom in which there is a great reduction in intensity of expression

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27
Q

What is the flat affect?

A

A negative schizophrenic symptom in which there are virtually no signs of emotional expression

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28
Q

What is the inappropriate affect?

A

A negative schizophrenic symptom in which the actions of the patient is discordant with the individuals speech

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29
Q

What is avolition?

A

A negative schizophrenic symptom in which patient no longer engages in purposeful goal-directed charity

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30
Q

What is t downward drift hypothesis?(common on MCAT with schizophrenia)

A
  • It states that schizophrenia causes a decline in socioeconomic status, leading to worsening symptoms
  • setting up a negative spiral for the patient towards psychosis and poverty
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31
Q

What hypothesis explains why schizophrenia rates are higher among the homeless and indigents?

A

The downward drift hypothesis

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32
Q

What is the prodromal phase?

A

Before schizophrenia is diagnosed, a patient goes through a phase deterioration, social withdrawal, role functioning impairment, peculiar behavior and unusual effects

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33
Q

State and explain the first line of treatment against depression

A

A class of medications called Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRIs)

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34
Q

How do SSRIs work?

A

These block the reuptake of serotonin by the presynaptic neuron, resulting in higher levels of serotonin in the synapse and relief of symptoms

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35
Q

What is a major depressive disorder ?

A

a mood disorder characterized by at least one major depressive episode.

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36
Q

What is a major depressive episode?

A

A period of at least 2 weeks with at least 5 of the following:

  • persistent depressive mood
  • loss of all or most enjoyment in formerly enjoyable activities
  • appetite disturbances and weight changes
  • decreased energy
  • feelings of worthlessness or guilt
  • difficulty concentrating or thinking
  • psychomotor symptoms(feeling slowed down)
  • thoughts of suicide and attempts

Atleast one of the symptoms must be depressive mood or anhedonia

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37
Q

What is anhedonia?

A

Loss of all or most enjoyment of activities that were formerly enjoyable

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38
Q

How many individuals die by suicide of major depressive disorder?

A

As many as 15%

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39
Q

How is a diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder administered?

A

Given to those who suffer from dysthymia, a depressive mood that isn’t severe enough to meet the criteria of a major depressive episode usually of atleast 2 years

Or

Individuals with major depressive order for atleast 2 years

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40
Q

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

A

Depressive symptoms, present in winter months, often related to abnormal melatonin metabolism

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41
Q

How is Seasonal Affective Disorder treated?

A

With Bright Light therapy, where patient is exposed to a bright light for a specified amount of time each day

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42
Q

What are bipolar disorders?

A

Formerly known as manic depression, it’s a mood disorder characterized by depression and mania

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43
Q

What are manic episodes?

A

Abnormal and persistently elevated mood lasting at least one week with atleast 3 of the following:

  • increased distractibility
  • insomnia
  • grandiosity
  • racing thoughts
  • increased goal directed activity of agitation
  • pressured speech or increased talkativeness
  • possibly psychosis
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44
Q

Describe Bipolar I disorder

A

Has manic episodes with or without major depressive episodes

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45
Q

Describe Bipolar II disorder

A

Has hypomania with atleast one major depressive episode

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46
Q

Contrast mania and hypomania

A

Hypomania does not significantly impair functioning, nor are there psychotic features, although the individual may be more energetic and optimistic

47
Q

What is cyclothymic disorder?

A

Consists of a combination of hypomania episodes and periods of dysthymia that are not severe enough to qualify as major depressive episodes

48
Q

What is the hormonal cause of depressive episodes?

A

Low norepinephrine and serotonin levels

49
Q

What are the hormonal reasons for manic episodes?

A

High levels of norepinephrine and serotonin

50
Q

Why must depressed patients who are treated with antidepressants be watched closely?

A

Antidepressants may unmask an underlying undiagnosed bipolar disorder and may be revealed via manic episodes

51
Q

What monoamine/catecholamine theory of depression?

A

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

52
Q

What are the most common psychiatric disorder in women of all ages?

A

Anxiety disorders

53
Q

What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

A

A disproportionate and persistent worry about many different things

Individuals often have physical symptoms such as fatigue, muscle tension , sleep problems

54
Q

The most commotion type of anxiety disorder is _______

A

Phobia

55
Q

What is a phobia?

A

An irrational fear of something that results in a compelling desire to avoid it

56
Q

What is a specific phobia?

A

A phobia caused by a specific object or situation

57
Q

What is social anxiety disorder?

A

Characterized by anxiety that is due to social situations

58
Q

What is Agoraphobia?

A

An anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of being in places or situations where it might be hard for an individual to escape (such as leaving homes for fear of a panic attack or exacerbation of another mental illness)

59
Q

What is panic disorder?

A

Repeated panic attacks

60
Q

What are the symptoms of panic disorder?

A
  • fear and apprehension
  • trembling and sweating
  • hyperventilation and a sense of unreality
61
Q

Why is treatment for panic disorder carried on for long periods of time?

A

Even after treatment, symptoms persist

62
Q

What is obsessive compulsive disorder?

A

OCD is characterized by obsessions which produce tensions and compulsions that relieve tensions that cause significant impairment in a person’s life

63
Q

Explain the relationship between obsessions and compulsions in OCD

A

Obsessions raise the individuals stress level and compulsions relieve the stress

64
Q

What is body dysmorphic disorder?

A

When a person has an unrealistic negative evaluation of their appearance and attractiveness usually directed at a certain body part

65
Q

What is post traumatic stress disorder?

A

Occurs after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event and consists of several symptoms

66
Q

What are ty 4 types of symptoms of PTSD?

A
  1. Intrusion symptoms
  2. Avoidance symptoms
  3. Negative cognitive symptoms
  4. Arousal symptoms
67
Q

What are intrusion symptoms of PTSD?

A

Recurrent reliving if the event, flashbacks, nightmares

68
Q

What are avoidance symptoms of PTSD?

A

Deliberate attempts to avoid anything associated with the trauma

69
Q

What are negative cognitive symptoms?

A

Includes inability to recall key features of the event, negative mood or emotions feeling distanced from others and negative world view

70
Q

What are arousal symptoms of PTSD?

A

Include increased startle response, irritability, anxiety, self-destructive of reckless behavior and sleep disturbances

71
Q

What must happen before diagnosis of PTSD?

A

A certain number of symptoms must be presen5 for atleast for a month

If same symptoms last for less than one month but more than 3 days it is called acute stress disorder

72
Q

What is dissociative amnesia?

A

Characterized by inability to recall past experiences

It is dissociative because amnesia is not due to neurological amnesia but often, trauma

73
Q

What is dissociative identity disorder?

A

(Formerly multiple personality disorder) atleast 2 personalities that recurrently take control of a person

74
Q

What are the psychological reasons for dissociative identity disorder?

A

Patients have suffered sexual abuse or physical abuse while young children

75
Q

What is depersonalization/derealization disorder?

A

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

76
Q

What is derealization?

A

Giving the world a dreamlike or insubstantial quality

77
Q

What is depersonalization?

A

An out of body experience

78
Q

What is somatic symptom disorder?

A

Individuals with at least one somatic symptom and disproportionate concern to its seriousness, devotion of an excessive amount of time and energy to it

79
Q

What is illness anxiety disorder?

A

Characterized by being consumed with thoughts about having or developing a serious medical condition

80
Q

What are symptoms of illness anxiety disorder ?

A
  • Individuals with this disorder are quick to become alarmed about their health
  • they either excessively check themselves for signs and avoid appointments altogether
81
Q

What is conversion disorder?

A

Characterized by unexplained symptoms affecting voluntary motor or sensory functions

82
Q

What are symptoms of conversion disorder?

A

Symptoms usually occur after high levels of stress or trauma

May not occur until sometime passes

Motor and sensory function impairment such as paralysis and blindness and no neurological damage

La belle indifference-person may be unconcerned by the symptom

83
Q

What is a personality disorder?

A

A pattern of behavior that is inflexible and maladaptive, causing distress or impaired functioning in at least 2 of the following:

  • cognition
  • emotions
  • interpersonal functioning
  • impulse control
84
Q

Personality disorders are considered ___________________ meaning…

A

Ego-syntonic

The individual perceives their behavior in harmony with their goals

85
Q

What does ego-dystonic mean?

A

Individual sees the illness as thrust upon them as intrusive and bothersome

86
Q

Describe each personality cluster and their examples with the 3 Ws

A

Cluster A- Weird(paranoid, schizoid and schizotypal)

Cluster B- Wild(antisocial, borderline, histrionic and narcissistic)

Cluster C- Worried(avoidant, dependent, and obsessive-compulsive)

87
Q

Describe paranoid personality disorder

A

Shows pervasive distrust of others and suspicion regarding their motives

88
Q

Describe schizotypal personality disorder

A

Refers to a pattern of of odd or eccentric thinking

May haves ideas of reference (not as extreme ideas of reference)

As well as magical thinking such as superstitious ness

89
Q

Describe schizoid personality disorder

A

Pervasive pattern of detachment from social patterns from social relationships and a restricted range of emotional expression

Little desire of social interaction, few if any close friends and poor social skills

90
Q

Describe antisocial personality disorder

A

A pattern of disregard for and violations of the rights of others. Evidenced by illegal acts, deceitful ness aggressiveness and lack of remorse

91
Q

Describe Borderline personality disorder

A

Pervasive instability in interpersonal behavior, mood, and self-image.

There may be profound identity disturbance with uncertainty about self-image, sexual identity, long term goals or values

92
Q

List some symptoms of borderline personality disorder

A
  • sense of fear of abandonment
  • may use splitting as a defense mechanism(angel vs demon mentality)
  • suicude attempts and self mutilation
93
Q

Describe histrionic personality disorder

A

Constant attention seeking behavior

They often wear colorful clothing, dramatic and exceptionally extroverted

94
Q

Describe narcissistic personality disorder

A

One has a grandiose sense of self, pre-occupation with fantasies of success, a need for constant admiration and attention and feelings of entitlement

95
Q

Describe avoidant personality disorder

A

Individual has extreme shyness and fear of rejection.

Individual will see herself as socially inept and is often socially isolated, despite an intense desire for social affection and acceptance

96
Q

What is dependent personality disorder

A

Characterized by a continuous need for reassurance.

Patient tends to remain dependent on a specific person to take actions and make decisions

97
Q

Describe Obsessive- Compulsive Personality Disorder(OCPD)

A

Individual is perfectionistic 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

98
Q

Differentiate between obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD) and obsessive compulsive personality disorder(OCPD)

A

OCD is marked by obsessions (intrusive thought causing tension) and compulsions(repetitive tasks that relieve this tension but cause significant tension)

OCPD is a personality disorder in which individuals are perfectionists and inflexible

99
Q

What is a chemical association of schizophrenia?

A

An excess of dopamine in the brain

100
Q

What are some biological factors of schizophrenia ?

A

Genetics

Trauma at birth, especially hypoxia

Other exposure:

Excessive marijuana use in adolescence

101
Q

What is a common pharmological function of many schizophrenia medication?

A

Blockage of dopamine receptors

102
Q

What are 4 host markers of depression?

A
  • Abnormally high glucose metabolism in the amygdala
  • Hippocampal atrophy after a long duration of illness
  • Abnormally high levels of glucocorticoids(cortisol)
  • Decreased norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine(monoamine theory of depression)
103
Q

Chemically speaking, what causes depression?

A

Neurotransmitters-norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine and their metabolites are produced in lower quantities

104
Q

What are some biological factors of bipolar disorders?

A
  • Increased norepinephrine and serotonin(monoamine theory)
  • Higher risk if parent has bipolar disorder
  • Higher risk for persons with multiple sclerosis
105
Q

Describe Alzheimer’s disease

A

A type of dementia characterized by gradual memory loss, disorientation to time and place, problems with abstract thought and tendency to misplace things

106
Q

Describe the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease

A

Associated with changes in mood or behavior, changes in personality, difficulty with procedural memory, poor judgement and loss of initiative

107
Q

Who is Alzheimer’s most common in?

A

More common in women than men

Most common in people above 65 years old

108
Q

Explain the genetic component of Ahlzeimers disease

A

Mutations in presensilin genes in Chromosomes 1 and 14 contribute to having the disease

+

Mutations in the apolipoprotein E gene on chromosome 19 can also alter the likelihood of Alzheimer’s

+

B-amyloid precursor protein gene on chromosome 2

109
Q

List the biological factors of Alzheimer’s

A
  • Diffuse atrophy of the brain on CT or MRI
  • Flattened Sulci in the cerebral cortex
  • Enlarged cerebral ventricles
  • Deficient blood flow in parietal lobes, which is correlated with cognitive decline
  • Reduction in levels of acetylcholine
  • Reduction of choline acetyltransferase( ChAt)(produces Acetyl choline)
  • Reduced metabolism in temporal and parietal lobes
  • Senile plaques of B-amyloid
  • Neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein
110
Q

What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?

A
  • bradykinesia( slow movement)
  • resting tremor
  • pill-rolling tremor(flexing and extending fingers while thumb moves back and forth)
  • masklike fascies (facial expression consisting of static and expressionless facial features, staring eyes, and partly opened mouth)
  • cogwheel rigidity (muscle tension that intermittently halts movement as an examiner manipulates a limb)

-shuffling gait with a stooped posture

111
Q

What is the biological basis of Parkinson’s?

A

Decreased dopamine production in the substantia nigra

112
Q

What is the substantia nigra?

A

A layer of cells in the brain that produce dopamine for proper functioning of the basal ganglia

113
Q

What is the function of the basal ganglia?

A

Needed for initiating and terminating movements, sustaining repetitive motor tasks and smoothening motions,

MCAT- Psychology and Sociology (3 decks)

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