10. Symptoms of the mind

Question 1

What is the difference between neurological conditions and psychiatric conditions?

Answer 1

Neurological conditions - result of a disturbance of brain function e.g. stroke or MS - causes symptoms of impairment of motor or sensory system

Psychiatric conditions - disturbances of brain functions with altered thinking and behaviour

Question 2

What is meant by mental health?

Answer 2

A state of well being in which each individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully and is able to make a contribution to his or her community

SO is not just the absence of a mental disorder

Question 3

What is ‘psychopathology’?

Answer 3

This is the study of all abnormal experience, cognition and behaviour

Question 4

What is ‘phenomenology’?

Answer 4

The study of subjective psychological events

Question 5

What is the mental state examination?

Answer 5

Examination used to identify signs and symptoms of a mental disorder

Question 6

What are the different components of the mental state examination?

Answer 6

Appearance and behaviour of the patient
Speech and formation of thought
Mood of the patient - any risk to themselves or others - hopes and future plans?
Perceptions - thoughts, hallucinations, delusions
Cognition - attention, concentration, intellectual ability, memory
Insight - about their condition and illness, health beliefs, attitude to treatment