Psychosis Flashcards
(25 cards)
What is Broadly defined as a loss of contact with reality
Psychosis
S/s of psychosis
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Thought disorganization
- Agitation and aggression
What is a delusion
Strongly held false belief
How are delusions classified?
- Bizarre vs non-bizarre
Bizarre, i.e. belief that family members have been replaced by body-doubles
Non bizarre, i.e. belief that spouse is cheating despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary
A belief that one is being followed or harassed by outside entity is an example of what delusion?
Persecutory delusions
Belief that one is a billionaire is an example of what delusion?
Grandiose delusions
Believing a famous person is in love with them is an example of what delusion?
Erotomanic delusions
Believing ones sinuses have been infested with worms is an example of what delusion?
Somatic delusions
believing a dialog on TV is directed towards you
Such as president talking on TV is talking directly to you is an example of what delusion
Delusions of reference
believing one’s thoughts and movements are being controlled by a powerful outside force
Such as planetary overlords or government is an example of what delusion
Delusions of control
What is a hallucination
- Wakeful sensory experiences of content that is not actually present
- NOT illusions
- Illusions are misinterpretations of sensory experiences
What is the most common hallucination
Auditory
- sounds or voices
How is evidence of thought disorganization discovered?
During patient’s speech pattern during interview process
What is alogia
- poverty of content
- Very little information conveyed by speech
- Often very sparse reply or lack of spontaneous speech
What is thought blocking?
- Suddenly losing train of thought
- Characterized by abrupt interruptions in speech
What is loosening association
Speech content that has ideas presented in a sequence that is not closely related or does not make sense
What is Tangentiality
Answers to interview questions diverge from topic being asked about
Is the interview question ever answered?
What is clanging or clang association
Using words in a sentence that are linked by rhyming or sounding similar
“I fell down the well sell bell”
What is a word salad
Real words are linked together incoherently
Real words but basically nonsense
What is Perseveration
Repeating words or ideas persistently
Components of thought disorganization
- Alogia
- Thought blocking
- Loosening of association
- Tangentiality
- Clanging or clang association
- Word salad
- Perseveration
What must you do prior to dx psychosis
Rule out other causes
What medication is used for acute agitation associated with psychosis?
Haloperidol
What medications are used to treat acute and chronic psychosis
“First” Generation antipsychotics: Haloperidol
“Second” (or atypical) Antipsychotics: Aripiprazole, risperidone, quetiapine, olanzapine
