HLTH 2501: mental disorders and spinal cord problems

Question 1

what causes mental illnesses to develop?

Answer 1

dysfunction in certain brain areas, biochemical and structural abnormalities, stressors, and genetic factors

Question 2

DSM

Answer 2

diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders which is published by the American Psychiatric Association; used to classify mental illness

Question 3

what are psychotic illnesses?

Answer 3

schizophrenia, delusional disorders, and some affective or mood disorders

Question 4

schizophrenia brain changes

Answer 4

not fully understood, but there is reduced grey matter in the temporal lobes, enlarged third and lateral ventricles, abnormal cells in the hippocampus, excessive dopamine secretion, and decreased blood flow to the frontal lobes

Question 5

causes of schizophrenia

Answer 5

causes are genetic and can also be perinatal complications or viral infection in the mother during pregnancy

Question 6

when is the onset of schizophrenia?

Answer 6

15 to 25 in men and 25 to 35 in women

Question 7

positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia

Answer 7

positive symptoms are delusions and bizarre behaviour and negative are flat emotions and decreased speech

Question 8

signs of schizophrenia

Answer 8

disorganized thoughts, impaired communication, meaningless repetition of words, delusions or false beliefs, impaired problem solving, hallucinations, social withdrawth, anxiety, and neglected self-care

Question 9

treatment for schizophrenia

Answer 9

drugs and psychotherapy; includes typical or first-generation drugs and atypical or second-generation drugs

Question 10

example of a first generation drug

Answer 10

chlorpromazine

Question 11

effects of first-generation drugs

Answer 11

can cause serious movement problems, muscle stiffness, and signs related to extrapyramidal activity, ex. muscle spasms in the face, neck, arms or legs; may also cause dry mouth and blurred vision

Question 12

example of a second-generation drug

Answer 12

clozapine

Question 13

how do second generation drugs work?

Answer 13

they block dopamine and cause movement disorders, they also increase the right of weight gain and diabetes

Question 14

3 types of depresion

Answer 14

major depression, bipolar disorder, and reactive episode

Question 15

major depression

Answer 15

aka unipolar disorder; is endogenous and is based on biologic factors, personality changes, or etiologic factors (genetic, developmental, and psychosocial stressors)

Question 16

bipolar disorder

Answer 16

involves alternating periods of depression and mania

Question 17

reactive depression

Answer 17

aka exogenous depression; occurs in response to a life event or secondary to systemic disorders like cancer

Question 18

what is depression classified on?

Answer 18

disorganized emotions and decreased excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain (serotonin and norepinephrine)

Question 19

signs of depression

Answer 19

prolonged period of sadness, lack of energy, low self-esteem, irritability, sleep disorders, loss of appetite, and poor libido

Question 20

drugs for depression

Answer 20

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (Prozac), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase

Question 21

tricyclic antidepressants

Answer 21

ex. amitriptyline; blocks the reuptake of the neurotransmitters, particularly norepinephrine in the presynaptic membrane

Question 22

monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Answer 22

ex. tranylcypromine; blocks the destruction of norepinephrine and serotonin by the enzyme MAO at the synpase

Question 23

electroconvulsive therapy

Answer 23

aka shock treatment; this increases norepinephrine activity but may result in some memory loss

Question 24

panic attacks

Answer 24

are common and are not panic disorders; these are a sudden, brief episode of discomfort and anxiety

Question 25

panic disorders

Answer 25

is an anxiety disorder and occurs when panic attacks are frequent or prolonged

Question 26

causes of panic disorders

Answer 26

is genetic, causing an increased discharge of neurons that may occur in the temporal lobes; involves the neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin, and GABA, as well as an irritated limbic system

Question 27

signs of panic disorders

Answer 27

repeated episodes of intense fear without provocation, palpitations, tachycardia, hyperventilation, sweating, sensations of choking, and nausea; these individuals may also have agoraphobia

Question 28

agoraphobia

Answer 28

fear of open spaces

Question 29

treatment for panic disorders

Answer 29

includes psychotherapy combined with drug therapy like xanax or valium

Question 30

herniated intervertebral disc

Answer 30

herniation invols protrusion of the nucleus pulposus (the inner component of the disc) through a tear in the annulus fibrosus into the extradural space, usually laterally

Question 31

how is nerve conduction impacted via a herniated disc?

Answer 31

because the protrusion into the extradural space exerts pressure on the spinal nerve root or spinal cord, thus interfering with nerve conduction

Question 32

common areas for herniated discs

Answer 32

L4-L5 or L5-S; sometimes between C5 and C7

Question 33

causes of herniated discs

Answer 33

some individuals are predisposed to herniated due to degenerative changes in the disc, resulting from aging or metabolic changes; can also be caused by trauma, excessive stress on the muscle caused by poor body mechanics, or improper lifting of materials

Question 34

signs of a herniated disc in the lumbar region

Answer 34

back pain that radiates down the sciatic nerve down the legs; paresthesia or numbness may develop, along with interference with micturition; coughing or straight-leg rising may aggravate the pain

Question 35

signs of a herniated disc in the cervical region

Answer 35

pain in the neck and shoulder that radiates down the arm; sensory impairment, reduced neck movement, weakness, and spasms may also occur

Question 36

diagnostic tests for herniated disc

Answer 36

myelography with contrast dye, CT stans, and MRI

Question 37

treatment for a herniated disc

Answer 37

bed rest, ice, traction, analgesic, inflammatory drugs, skeletal muscle relaxants, PT, OT, and sometimes surgery like a spinal fusion