Psychopathology Intro Flashcards
What is psychopathology and how is it distinct from psychiatry?
Psychopathology is the scientific study of mental disorders, encompassing their causes, symptoms, and treatments. Psychiatry, on the other hand, is a medical specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing mental illness through interventions like medication and psychotherapy.
Compare and contrast the philosophical and clinical approaches to understanding psychiatric illness.
The philosophical approach to understanding mental illness delves into conceptual questions like the existence and nature of mental illness and whether disorders are discrete entities or social constructs. The clinical approach focuses on practical aspects like etiology, symptoms, and the course of mental disorders, aiming to differentiate between normal and abnormal psychological manifestations.
Explain the four key characteristics that a comprehensive mental disorder definition should have.
A comprehensive definition of mental disorder should include disability, personal distress, violation of social norms, and dysfunction. However, no single characteristic is sufficient to define mental disorder, and the presence of multiple characteristics is usually required.
Differentiate between the terms “signs” and “symptoms” in the context of mental health.
In mental health, signs are objective manifestations of a condition observable by the examiner, such as disorganised speech or restlessness. Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the individual, such as feelings of sadness or anxiety.
What are the primary aims of classification systems in psychiatry?
Classification systems in psychiatry aim to: (1) Identify groups of patients with similar clinical features for tailored management. (2) Provide a common language for communication among patients, professionals, and researchers. (3) Enhance the reliability and validity of diagnoses, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
What is comorbidity and how is it addressed in diagnostic systems like the ICD-11?
Comorbidity refers to the co-occurrence of two or more psychiatric disorders in an individual. The ICD-11 allows for comorbid diagnoses if a person experiences symptoms that cannot be explained by a single diagnosis, recognizing the complexity of mental health conditions.
What is the significance of the term “organic” when discussing psychiatric disorders, and why is its use declining?
The term “organic” historically denoted psychiatric disorders with a known biological cause, such as brain lesions or substance use. However, its use is declining because it creates a false dichotomy, as all mental health conditions involve biological, psychological, and social factors. The term persists in some contexts to highlight urgent medical causes requiring immediate attention.
Briefly describe the three common clinical presentations of organic psychiatric disorders.
The three common presentations of organic psychiatric disorders are: Delirium - An acute, fluctuating disturbance of consciousness and cognition often caused by underlying medical conditions. Dementia - Chronic, progressive decline in cognitive function impacting memory, thinking, and behaviour. Other specific syndromes - Focal impairments in specific cognitive domains, such as memory or language, often associated with neurological conditions like epilepsy.
Differentiate between delirium and dementia, highlighting key distinguishing features.
Delirium is characterised by an acute onset, fluctuating course, and impaired consciousness. Thinking is disorganised, and perceptual disturbances are common. Dementia, in contrast, has an insidious onset, a stable or progressive course, and normal consciousness. Thinking is impoverished, and perceptual disturbances are less common.
List and briefly describe three specific dementia syndromes.
Three specific dementia syndromes include: Alzheimer’s Disease - Characterised by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, leading to progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioural changes. Vascular Dementia - Caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often due to stroke, resulting in cognitive impairment, especially in executive function and processing speed. Lewy Body Dementia - Marked by the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain, leading to fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, and parkinsonian motor symptoms.
