Symptoms of the mind

Question 1

Difference between neurological and psychiatric conditions

Answer 1

Neurological= disturbance of brain function causing symptoms of impairment of motor/ sensory system
Psychiatric= disturbance of brain function with symptoms of altered thinking and behaviour

Question 2

Define mental health

Answer 2

State of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with stresses of life and can work productively and fruitfully

Question 3

Lifetime risk of mental illness

Answer 3

1 in 4

Question 4

Define psychopathology

Answer 4

Study of all abnormal experience, cognition and behaviour

Question 5

Define phenomenology

Answer 5

Study of subjective psychological events

Question 6

Difference between normal stress and true disorder

Answer 6

Distressing
Affect function
Severe
Longer in duration
Out of context
Out of socio-cultural norms

Question 7

Name the categories found in the mental state exam (6)

Answer 7

• Appearance and behaviour
• Speech and form of thought
• Mood
• Perceptions
• Cognition
• Insight

Question 8

What is covered in the appearance section of mental state exam

Answer 8

Age, sex, ethnicity
Appropriateness of dress
Signs of emotion

Question 9

What is covered in the behaviour section of mental state exam

Answer 9

Appropriateness of interaction
Rapport
Eye contact
Movement/ posture

Question 10

What is covered in the speech section of mental state exam

Answer 10

Rate
Rhythm
Volume
Spontaneity

Question 11

What is covered in the mood section of mental state exam

Answer 11

Subjective and objective
Sad
Ability to enjoy things
Sleep/ appetite/ energy
Negative/ positive thoughts
Self esteem

Question 12

What is covered in the thought section of the mental state exam

Answer 12

Preoccupations
Worries/ anxieties
Delusions

Question 13

What forms can thought interference take

Answer 13

Withdrawal
Insertion
Broadcasting

Question 14

What is passivity phenomena

Answer 14

Feelings or actions experienced as made or influenced by external agents

Question 15

Define illusion

Answer 15

False perception of a real external stimulus

Question 16

Define hallucination

Answer 16

False perception in the absence of any real stimulus

Question 17

What forms can hallucinations take

Answer 17

Auditory
Visual
Olfactory
Gustatory
Tactile

Question 18

How can memory be tested

Answer 18

MMSE
Frontal lobe test
Other specific tests (parietal lobe)

Question 19

What are the components of cognitions

Answer 19

Orientation in time/ place

Attention/ concentration

Question 20

Define insight

Answer 20

Patients ideas about their condition and illness including health beliefs and attitudes to treatment

Question 21

What are the signs and symptoms of psychosis

Answer 21

Thought echo, insertion, broadcast
Delusions of control of body
Delusional perception
Persistent delusional beliefs

Question 22

Name 2 affective disorders

Answer 22

Depression

Mania

Question 23

What are the features of mania disorder

Answer 23

Elated mood/ irritability
Grandiosity (self regard)
Energised, increased activity
Pressure of speech
Flight of ideas
Reduced speech
Disinhibited

Question 24

What is meant by the term disorder according to ICD

Answer 24

Implies existence of a clinically recognisable set of symptoms/ behaviour associated in most cases with distress and inteference with personal functions

Question 25

What are the advantages of categorising mental disorders

Answer 25

Diagnosis
Guidance for treatment
Patient explanation
Demystification

Question 26

What are the disadvantages of categorising mental disorders

Answer 26

Labelling and stigma
Illusions of understanding something complex
Obscures socio-cultural factors