WK 3- NEUROPLASTICITY AND MENTAL HEALTH Flashcards
What is neuroplasticity
The ability of the brain to change over time and make new neuronal connections- occurs in response to how we use our brains
What is axonal sprouting
Occurs in response to injury- undamaged axons can grown new nerve endings and reconnect neurons whose links were damaged OR occurs when new neuronal pathways are needed
What is neurogenesis
Production of new neurons from stem cells
What are 4 types of non-pharmacological interventions in mental health
- physical exercise
- relaxation
- psychotherapy (CBT)
- mindfullness
What are some advantages and disadvantages of diagnosing someone with a mental health disorder
Advantages: can inform treatment options, can provide prognostic information, monitoring of population health
Disadvantages: can create a stigma, can misinform prognostic information, badging (reverse stigma- people use their diagnosis as an excuse, prevents people moving forward)
How is diagnosis of a mental health disorder established
- history of presenting complaint
- mental state exam
- full psychiatric interview and observation using criteria of DSM-V
Why is going on the disability pension a negative thing for someone who has a mental health disorder, such as depression
Once people are on the disability pension they will lose their social and work skills that they could gain in the workforce, can lose protective factors such as social support, become withdrawn and starts a downwards spiral
What are some of the screening tools for depression
2 question test= 1. in the 2 weeks/month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless
- during the past 2 weeks/month, have you been bothered y little interest in doing things–> if answers are positive further investigations should occur
- Other screening tools–> DASS (depression, anxiety and stress questionaire) and K10 (this is to assess level of distress, not the cause)
What are the things to observe in a mental state exam (aseptic)
A- appearance and behaviour S-speech E- emotion--> mood and affect P- perception--> hallucinations and delusions T-thoughts- form and content I- insight and judgement C-cognition (mmse)
What must symptoms must a patient have to determine a major depressive episode (ICD-10)
Must have at least 5 or most of these symptoms every day:
- Depressed mood, most of the day, nearly every day
- Markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities, most of the day, nearly every day*
- Significant weight change
- Insomnia or hypersomnia
- Psychomotor agitation or retardation
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive inappropriate guilt
- Poor concentration, diminished cognition, indecisiveness
- Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation (+/- plan)
How many of the ICD-10 symptoms of depression must a patient have to be classified as being severely depressed
Fewer than 4 symptoms; Not depressed
- Four symptoms: Mild depression
- Five-Six symptoms: Moderate Depression
- Seven or more symptoms, with or without psychotic symptoms: Severe Depression
What screening tools are used to screen for anxiety
DASS21
What are some symptoms needed to diagnose anxiety
A: Excessive anxiety and worry occurring more days than not, for at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities.
B: The individual finds it difficult to control the worry
C: associated with 3 (or more) of: restlessness, easy fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, sleep disturbance
D: causes clinically significant distress or functional impairment
E:Not attributable to the effects of a substance
What occupations are attributed to high rates of PTSD
ADF, Police, refugees, workers in fields such as health and welfare (eg. child abuse investigators)
What questions are asked to screen for PTSD (7q)
- Do you avoid being reminded of the experience by staying away from certain places, people or activities?
- Have you lost interest in activities that were once important or enjoyable?
- Have you begun to feel more distant or isolated from other people?
- Do you find it hard to feel love or affection for other people?
- Have you begun to feel that there is no point in planning for the future?
- Have you had more trouble than usual falling or staying asleep?
- Do you become jumpy or easily startled by ordinary noise or movements?
- -> if patient scores positive values, perform further tests for diagnosis
What 8 factors are needed to diagnose PTSD
A: Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence in one (or more)
B: Presence of one (or more) intrusive symptoms: memories, dreams, dissociative reactions, cue related distress
C: Persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the trauma (avoidance of memories or external cues)
D: Negative alterations in cognitions or mood (2 or more)
E: Marked alteration in arousal and reactivity (2 or more)
F: duration (B-E) more than 1 month
G: causes clinically significant distress or impaired functioning
H: not attributable to a substance or another medical condition.
What screening tools are used to screen for psychosis
PRIME Screening (12 questions)
What 5 factors are needed to make a diagnosis of psychosis
-A: 2(or more) of the following for a significant portion of time during a 1 month period (
What risk factors are associated with risk of suicide
coexisting depression, history of self-harm/previous suicide attempts, childhood abuse, substance abuse, low social status, other mental illnesses, ATSI, rural communities, young men, unemployed, medical illness, family history of suicide, certain occupations (doctors)
Name 5 warning signs associated with suicide
threats/talk of/jokes about suicide, making final arrangements, giving away possessions, saying goodbye, expressions of hopelessness, sudden mood swings, abrupt changes in personality, sadness, frequent crying, loss of interest in hobbies/sport/work/school, withdrawal from family/friends, focus on death which may surface in artwork/poems/stories, risk taking, increased use of alcohol and drugs, fatigue/sleep disturbance, inability to concentrate
What acronym is used when helping someone who you believe is at risk of suicide
C- communicate care
A- ask questions
R- rate the risk: assessing level of risk can be assed by focusing on→ Intent, suicide plan and method, access to means, previous attempts or threats, alcohol and drug use, social supports→ DON’T leave the person alone if the risk of suicide is high, remove any potential weapons or substances (remove the person from the weapon if this can’t be done then remove yourself from the weapon)
E- engage help: know your limitations, urge the person to consider professional help
