Psychopathology Flashcards
What is psychopathology?
either being explanatory (where there is an assumed theoretical explanation of the causes of mental disorder according to psychodynamic, cognitive or behavioural constructs) or descriptive.
This involves the observation of behaviour and the assessment of the subjective experience.
the systematic study of abnormal experiences, cognition and behaviour”
What are the different types of delusion?
Persecutory: A delusional belief that one’s life is being interfered with in a harmful way
Delusion of reference: A delusional belief that external events or situations have been arranged so that a message is conveyed to the individual, or there is some other special significance
Grandiose delusions: A delusional belief that the patient has special powers
What are the types of hallucination?
Auditory (2nd and 3 rd person, the more simple the more likely the cause is organic)
Visual (more common in organic states, delirium tremens (lilliputian- little animals or men))
Tactile (superficial, kinaesthetic, visceral)
Olfactory/gustatory (often epilepsy)
What is De Clerambault’s syndrome?
A delusion where the patient believes another individual is in love with them and they are destined to be together; aka ‘erotomania’
What is cotard syndrome?
Psychotic depressive presentation with nihilistic delusions (the patient has died or no longer exists or the world has ended and no longer exists) and hypochondriacal delusions (especially that their organs do not work, they are ‘hollow’)
What is capgras syndrome?
A delusional misidentification syndrome where a person well-known to the patient is replaced by an identical ‘double’ who is not the ‘real person’
What is fregoli syndrome?
A delusional misidentification syndrome where the patient believes that strangers have been replaced by (usually) one familiar person who changes appearance or takes on disguises
