Perception Flashcards

Question

What are 'Lilliputian hallucinations'?

Answer 1

Visual hallucinations of miniature animals or people, characteristic of delirium tremens.

Answer 2

A wide range of mental disorders, including epilepsy, depressive illnesses, and schizophrenia.

Answer 3

Transient false perceptions occurring on falling asleep.

Answer 4

Transient false perceptions occurring on waking.

Answer 5

being in external space.

Answer 6

Visual or auditory experiences ## Footnote Pseudo-hallucinations can occur in conditions like narcolepsy and affective illnesses but are often reported by healthy individuals.

Answer 7

Hallucinatory experiences of simple sensory elements such as flashes of light or unstructured noises ## Footnote Elemental hallucinations are linked with organic states.

Answer 8

False perceptions of external objects beyond the normal range of perception of the sensory organs

Answer 9

Hallucinations experienced simultaneously with a normal stimulus in that modality ## Footnote For example, auditory hallucinations occurring when hearing the sound of air conditioning.

Answer 10

Hallucinations in one modality experienced after a normal stimulus in another modality

Answer 11

Fear of being thought 'mad' and concern about the reaction of others

Answer 12

Use frankness, lack of embarrassment, and straightforwardness

Answer 13

'Now I want to ask you about some experiences which sometimes people have but find difficult to talk about.'

Answer 14

Non-specific symptoms in a variety of affective and psychotic conditions

Answer 15

'Like being in a play'

Answer 16

'Have you ever had the experience of hearing noises or voices when there was no one about to explain it?'

Answer 17

When it occurred, if the patient was fully awake, how often, and where

Answer 18

A delusion is a pathological belief held with absolute subjective certainty, requiring no external proof, and is personally significant. ## Footnote Delusions are important symptoms in the diagnosis of major psychoses.

Answer 19

Characteristics include: * Absolute subjective certainty * No need for external proof * Personal significance * Not culturally or religiously understandable ## Footnote Content of the delusion is usually demonstrably false and bizarre, but not always.

Answer 20

Primary delusions arise directly from a pathological process, while secondary delusions develop in the context of another abnormality in the mental state. ## Footnote Example of secondary delusion: delusions of poverty in a severely depressed patient.

Answer 21

An over-valued idea is a non-delusional, non-obsessional abnormal belief that dominates a patient's thinking and behavior. ## Footnote The idea is acceptable and comprehensible but preoccupying.

Answer 22

Clarify: * Source of the sound * Content of the voice * Recognition of the voice * Reference to the patient * Examples of what was said ## Footnote Understanding the context of auditory hallucinations is crucial.

Answer 23

Clarify: * Frequency and circumstances of the experience * Perception type (mind's eye or external) * Distinctness from surroundings ## Footnote This helps distinguish between different types of visual experiences.

Answer 24

Clarify details surrounding any positive response to distinguish: * Olfactory hallucinations (abnormal odor experiences) * Delusions of being malodorous ## Footnote Distinguishing these experiences is important for diagnosis.

Answer 25

Over-valued ideas may have a variety of contents in different disorders ## Footnote Examples include concern over physical appearance in dysmorphophobia, concern over weight and body shape in anorexia nervosa, and concern over personal rights in paranoid personality disorder.

Answer 26

Colluding in the delusional belief system ## Footnote Doctors should not engage in arguments about the truth of the delusion, as delusions cannot be rationalized away.

Answer 27

Make clear that the delusional symptom is a symptom of mental ill health ## Footnote It is important to acknowledge the delusion as real and significant to the patient.

Answer 28

Delusions vary in detail and intensity ## Footnote Initially, there may be vague feelings of being spied upon, which become more detailed and supported by 'evidence' as the delusion evolves.

Answer 29

To fade the importance of the delusion and help the person appreciate it as false ## Footnote Some may still regard it as true but view it as less significant.

Answer 30

'Do you have any particular worries preying on your mind at the moment?' ## Footnote This question allows patients to discuss concerns they may have been hesitant to mention.

Answer 31

'Do you ever feel that people are watching you or paying attention to what you are doing?' ## Footnote The doctor should seek elaboration of the sensation and examples of its occurrence.

Answer 32

'When you watch television or read the newspapers, do you ever feel that the stories refer to you directly?' ## Footnote The patient should be invited to elaborate on any positive responses.

Answer 33

Beliefs that people are trying to harm the individual ## Footnote These are common features of psychotic illness and can be confused with paranoid personality traits.

Answer 34

Confusion with paranoid personality traits and genuine fears ## Footnote This confusion can occur particularly in the context of the patient's lifestyle.