Mental Illness Flashcards
(88 cards)
1
Q
Which groups report higher rates of anxiety disorders?
A
Women and those who are socially disadvantaged
2
Q
What is a normal response to feeling threatened?
A
Anxiety
3
Q
What physiological responses are associated with anxiety?
A
- Increased heart rate and palpitations
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased sweating
- Trembling or shaking
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling of choking
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or abdominal distress
- Feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded or faint
- Fear of losing control or going crazy
4
Q
What triggers the sympathetic nervous system during anxiety?
A
Release of adrenaline and noradrenaline
5
Q
What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?
A
Reduces symptoms of anxiety and promotes rest and digestion
6
Q
What does the HPA axis control?
A
Release of the stress hormone cortisol
7
Q
What is the amygdala’s function in the context of anxiety?
A
Coordinates safety mechanisms and assesses the importance of stimuli
8
Q
What is ‘complex PTSD’?
A
Trauma occurring repeatedly over months or years during peak neuronal development
9
Q
What are the individual risk factors for PTSD?
A
- History of personality instability
- Lack of psychological and social support
- Coexisting mental health disorders
10
Q
What protective factors can reduce the likelihood of developing PTSD?
A
Higher intelligence and supportive relationships
11
Q
What is the recommended short-term treatment for anxiety?
A
Relaxation training and benzodiazepines
12
Q
What is a risk of using benzodiazepines for more than 2-3 days?
A
Development of dependence
13
Q
What long-term treatments are effective for anxiety disorders?
A
- Antidepressants
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
14
Q
What is the purpose of exposure therapy?
A
Desensitise the patient to anxiety-provoking stimuli
15
Q
What characterizes obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
A
Unwanted and intrusive obsessive thoughts accompanied by compulsive behaviors
16
Q
What are some examples of obsessional thoughts in OCD?
A
- Fear of dirt or germs
- Fear of burglary or robbery
- Worries about discarding something important
17
Q
What are some examples of compulsions in OCD?
A
- Excessive handwashing
- Repeated checking of door locks
- Counting rituals
18
Q
What differentiates PTSD from other anxiety disorders?
A
Must have an acute onset following exposure to trauma
19
Q
What symptoms are common in individuals with PTSD?
A
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Hypervigilance
- Insomnia
- Exaggerated startle reflex
20
Q
What is pervasive depressive disorder?
A
Characterized by a persistently depressed mood of mild-to-medium intensity for at least 2 years
21
Q
What are the two key moods involved in mood disorders?
A
- Mania
- Depression
22
Q
What is mania?
A
Intense and unrealistic feelings of excitement, euphoria, and increased energy
23
Q
What is hypomania?
A
A milder form of mania
24
Q
What are the two key moods involved in mood disorders?
A
Mania and depression
25
Define mania.
Intense and unrealistic feelings of excitement, euphoria, increased energy, and goal-directed behaviour
26
What is hypomania?
A milder form of mania with moderate impact on functioning
27
What are common early indicators of the development of mania?
Impaired sleep and appetite
28
What is major depression characterized by?
Feelings of extraordinary sadness and dejection
29
List some biological symptoms of depression.
* Sleep disturbance
* Appetite disturbance
* Impairment in energy levels and motivation
* Cognitive processes such as memory and concentration
30
What role does guilt play in depression?
It is characteristic of depression and helps differentiate it from grief
31
What is the gene-environment interaction related to depression?
Individuals with a genetic predisposition who experience stressful life events are more likely to develop depression
32
What neurotransmitters are involved in the pathophysiology of depression?
Serotonin and noradrenaline
33
What is the role of the HPA axis in depression?
It is upregulated, causing excess cortisol release and disturbances in neurotransmitter transmission
34
True or False: Women are more than twice as likely to develop depression as men.
True
35
What are SSRIs used for?
To treat depression by inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin
36
What is the mainstay treatment for depression?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (NRIs)
37
What is lithium used for?
Treatment of acute mania and ongoing treatment of bipolar mood disorders
38
List some anticonvulsant medications effective for bipolar disorder.
* Sodium valproate
* Lamotrigine
* Carbamazepine
39
What are the common symptoms of schizophrenia?
Psychotic symptoms, depression, and mania
40
What is the significance of genetic studies in schizophrenia?
They show a clear familial relationship but also indicate that no single gene causes the illness
41
What factors contribute to the development of schizophrenia?
A combination of genetic and environmental factors
42
Fill in the blank: Depression is characterized by increased _______ thinking.
Negative
43
What is the effect of stressful life events on depression?
They can exacerbate biological and neurophysiological systems contributing to depression
44
What are some non-pharmacological approaches for treating depression?
* Psychotherapies
* Cognitive behavioural therapy
* Mindfulness
45
What is the role of female hormones in mood disorders?
They may increase the risk of mood disorders, particularly during significant life changes
46
What is the relationship between bipolar disorder and genetic influences?
Multiple genes influence the risk, with some variations also being risks for schizophrenia
47
What is the therapeutic range of lithium?
Very narrow, requiring constant monitoring
48
How do environment and genetic interactions contribute to schizophrenia?
Children with high genetic risk raised in dysfunctional families developed schizophrenia-related disorders, while those in healthy environments did not.
## Footnote
Highlights the importance of environmental factors in the expression of genetic risk.
49
What are the proposed neurodevelopmental causes of schizophrenia?
In utero exposure to infection, immunological changes, nutritional alterations
## Footnote
These factors may predispose individuals to schizophrenia.
50
What neuroanatomical changes are associated with schizophrenia?
Enlarged ventricular volume, deficits in grey and white matter
## Footnote
Neuroimaging studies have shown these changes, but their significance is still unclear.
51
What are the two types of symptoms in schizophrenia?
Positive and negative symptoms
## Footnote
This classification helps in understanding the disorder's manifestations.
52
Define positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Exaggeration or distortion of normal function, including delusions and hallucinations
## Footnote
These symptoms reflect an overactivity in certain brain pathways.
53
Define negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Reduction in normal functioning, including apathy, lack of motivation, and emotional blunting
## Footnote
These symptoms are often associated with a different brain pathway activity.
54
What are the three main phases of schizophrenia progression?
1. Prodromal phase 2. Acute phase 3. Chronic phase
## Footnote
These phases outline the natural progression of the illness.
55
What characterizes the prodromal phase of schizophrenia?
Deterioration in social functioning, organization, intellectual functioning, and physical activity
## Footnote
Often occurs in early adolescence.
56
What symptoms are primarily seen in the acute phase of schizophrenia?
Delusions, thought disorders, hallucinations, poor social relations, anhedonia, and avolition
## Footnote
This phase significantly impacts the patient's perception of reality.
57
What negative symptoms become prominent in the chronic phase of schizophrenia?
Limited social engagement, poverty of ideas, poverty of speech
## Footnote
These symptoms indicate a deterioration in overall functioning.
58
What is the typical duration of symptoms required for a schizophrenia diagnosis?
At least 6 months
## Footnote
Symptoms must persist for this duration to confirm a diagnosis.
59
What are the two broad classes of antipsychotic medications?
First-generation (typical) and second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics
## Footnote
These classes differ in their effectiveness and side effect profiles.
60
What is the primary action of typical antipsychotics?
Blocking dopamine 2 receptors
## Footnote
This mechanism is thought to reduce positive symptoms.
61
Which atypical antipsychotic is noted for its effectiveness and risks?
Clozapine
## Footnote
Clozapine requires regular monitoring due to serious side effects.
62
What are common adverse effects of typical antipsychotics?
Extrapyramidal symptoms, tardive dyskinesia, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation
## Footnote
These side effects can significantly impact patient quality of life.
63
What are potential side effects of atypical antipsychotics?
Weight gain, insulin resistance, increased prolactin levels
## Footnote
These effects can lead to metabolic syndrome.
64
What psychosocial interventions are important for schizophrenia treatment?
Focus on vocation, employment, education, social, leisure, and life skills
## Footnote
These interventions can greatly improve a patient's quality of life.
65
What are some neuropsychiatric effects of COVID-19 infection?
Delirium, cerebral infarction, persistent fatigue, mood alteration
## Footnote
These effects can complicate existing mental health conditions.
66
Define substance use.
Includes addiction, recreational drug use, substance abuse, and substance misuse
## Footnote
These terms reflect various aspects of substance-related conditions.
67
What are the classifications of illicit drugs?
Depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens
## Footnote
Some drugs, like marijuana, can fit into multiple categories.
68
What is the mesolimbic dopamine pathway hypothesized to be?
The final common pathway for reward and reinforcement in the brain
## Footnote
This pathway is crucial for understanding addiction mechanisms.
69
Where does the mesolimbic dopamine pathway originate?
Ventral tegmental area of the brainstem
## Footnote
It terminates in the nucleus accumbens.
70
What is the common reward pathway involved in?
The pursuit of food, consumption of food, and sexual behaviour
## Footnote
These activities are associated with survival mechanisms of the individual and of the species.
71
Which neurotransmitters mediate natural highs in the brain?
Endocannabinoids and endogenous opioids
## Footnote
Both have similar chemical structures to those present in illicit drugs.
72
How do alcohol and opioids affect dopamine release?
Alcohol acts on GABA systems, while opioids act at opioid receptors
## Footnote
Opioids cause dopamine release in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens.
73
What happens to neurotransmitter systems during tolerance and addiction?
They adapt by downregulating the number of functioning receptors
## Footnote
This occurs to maintain homeostasis despite increased neurotransmitter release.
74
What is the role of the amygdala in drug withdrawal?
It controls and coordinates the withdrawal reaction
## Footnote
The amygdala sends signals to neurons in other brain areas.
75
Define the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for substance dependence.
Includes persistent desire to cut down, time spent obtaining and using substance, failure to fulfill obligations, and continued use despite problems
## Footnote
These criteria highlight the paradox of drug dependence.
76
What are the early effects of stimulants?
Euphoria, excitation, restlessness, insomnia, tachycardia, hypertension
## Footnote
Long-term effects include depression and hallucinations.
77
What are the withdrawal symptoms of stimulants?
Severe craving, depressed mood, exhaustion, prolonged sleep, irritability
## Footnote
Treatment does not include specific drug therapy; supportive care is recommended.
78
List some common depressants.
* Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, alprazolam)
* Barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbitone)
* Nonbarbiturates (e.g., zolpidem, zoplicone)
## Footnote
These are used for their sedative and hypnotic effects.
79
What are the early signs of withdrawal from depressants?
Weakness, restlessness, insomnia, hyperthermia, confusion
## Footnote
Major convulsive episodes may occur by days 3–5.
80
What are the effects of opioids?
Analgesia, euphoria, drowsiness, relaxation, decreased respiratory rate
## Footnote
Withdrawal effects include muscle pain, insomnia, and gastrointestinal issues.
81
What is a common treatment method for opioid withdrawal?
Methadone and buprenorphine in decreasing doses
## Footnote
These are used during detoxification to manage withdrawal symptoms.
82
What are the withdrawal effects of cannabis?
Flu-like illness, disturbed sleep, irritability, anxiety
## Footnote
Supportive care is recommended for treatment.
83
What are some effects of cocaine?
Euphoria, increased energy, hypertension, tachycardia
## Footnote
Can lead to severe cardiovascular issues and sudden death.
84
What are some effects of heroin?
Euphoria, sedation, decreased respiratory rate, constipation
## Footnote
Withdrawal causes intense fear and various physical symptoms.
85
What should a full drug-use history include?
Types of drugs used, frequency of use, methods of administration, consequences
## Footnote
It's essential for evaluating drug-use disorders.
86
What pharmacological treatments are available for nicotine withdrawal?
Varenicline (Champix) and bupropion (Zyban)
## Footnote
These help reduce unpleasant withdrawal effects.
87
What is the role of naltrexone in addiction treatment?
Decreases the reward of alcohol and is effective in alcohol addiction treatment
## Footnote
It is also used for opioid addiction.
88
True or False: Abstinence programs like Alcoholics Anonymous are effective for everyone.
False
## Footnote
They can be effective but do not suit everyone.
