Psychosis

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Reality is greatly distorted and presents with; delusions, hallucinations and thought disorders

Question 2

Delusions

Answer 2

A fixed belief that is firmly held despite evidence to the contrary and goes against the individuals normal social and cultural belief system

Question 3

Hallucinations

Answer 3

Perceptions in the absence of an external stimulus

Question 4

Non organic causes of psychosis

Answer 4

• Schizophrenia
• Schizotypical disorder
• Acute psychotic episode
• Mood disorders with psychosis
• Drug-induced psychosis
• Delusional disorder
• Induced delusional disorder
• Puerperal psychosis

Question 5

Organic causes of psychosis

Answer 5

Drug induced psychosis
Complex partial epilepsy
Delirium
Dementia
Huntigtons disease
SLE
Syphillis
Endocrine disturbance e.g. Cushing’s syndrome
Metabolic disorders including Vit B12 def.

Question 6

Schizotypal disorder

Answer 6

AKA latent schizophrenia
= eccentric behaviour
= suspicious unusual speech
= deviations of thinking and affect that is similar to those suffering from schizophrenia
= DO NOT suffer from hallucinations or delusions.
Increased risk in Px with first degree relatives with schizophrenia