Psychiatry Review: Key Concepts and Disorders
Psychiatry Review
Disorders of Consciousness: Delirium
The essential features of delirium are:
- Alterations of the level of consciousness and attention.
- Changes in cognitive functions in relation to the individual’s previous level.
- Abrupt onset and fluctuating course.
- Suspicion of an organic cause in its etiology.
Hallucination vs. Delusion
A hallucination is a perception that occurs without an external stimulus, unlike an illusion, and is not derived from the patient’s ideas or processes.
The Concept of Normality
Defining the concept of normality clearly when applied to psychic life is difficult. The boundaries between normal and abnormal are not quite defined. Currently, a few criteria are followed to define what is normal and abnormal in cognitive development. The criterion that follows the perspective of normality is that which is seen most often is normal (statistical normality).
Thought Disorder: Routine Delirium
In routine delirium, the affected person believes they are in a situation of maximum poverty, without the indispensable limits to live.
Psychomotor Disorders: Tics
Following the classification of psychomotor disorders, rapid, jerky movements of the face, neck, and head that are usually repetitive, involuntary, and purposeless are called tics.
Key Factors in the Origin of Mental Disorders
In the origin of mental disorders, what do we call key factors? Intrapsychic conflicts, dependence on internal factors, and defense mechanisms.
ICD-10 and DSM-IV-R
What are the ICD-10 and DSM-IV-R? They are two classification systems for diseases. The ICD-10 is made by the WHO, and the DSM-IV-R is made by the American Psychiatric Association. Both are oriented towards the classification of these types of diseases.
Memory Disorders: Retrograde Amnesia
Following the classification of memory disorders according to chronological order, the impaired ability to recall information and events well-established before the onset of the disorder leading to amnesia is called retrograde amnesia.
Manic Episode
Inflated self-esteem, the belief that one has some special abilities, decreased need for sleep, subjective experience that thoughts are racing together with attention difficulties, psychomotor agitation, and involvement in activities that may involve serious consequences are characteristic of a manic episode.
Schizophrenic Disorders: Two Characteristic Symptoms
Two characteristic symptoms of schizophrenic disorders are:
- Delusional ideas
- Flattened affectivity
Social Phobia
Social phobia is an intense and persistent fear of one or more social situations or performances in front of an audience outside the family level (for fear of ridicule, being humiliated, etc.).
Psychosomatic Disorders
The condition where there is a known physical disorder, and it appears that its appearance has been influenced by psychological aspects is called psychosomatic disorder.
Five Signs of the Onset of Depression
Five signs that indicate the onset of depression are:
- Insomnia
- Weight loss or gain
- Depressive mood
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Anxiety Disorders: Panic Attack
Among anxiety disorders, the disorder that is manifested by limited and temporary intense fear or discomfort, accompanied by numerous physical and psychological symptoms, and reaches a peak within ten minutes is called a panic attack.
Dementia
What do we call dementia? A multifactorial acquired syndrome, without alterations in the level of consciousness, with persistent deterioration of cognitive functions, and that causes functional, social, and work incapacity.
Anorexia vs. Bulimia
Difference between anorexia and bulimia:
- Anorexia: Early onset, restrictive, low weight, hyperactivity, amenorrhea, chronic medical complications.
- Bulimia: Later onset, restrictive or non-restrictive, variable weight, hypoactivity, self-harm behaviors, and acute medical complications.
Hypochondria
What is hypochondria? The preoccupation with having a serious illness.
Case Study: Possible Body Dysmorphic Disorder
A 30-year-old woman presents to the consultation stating that her only desire is to be invisible. She has an excessive fear of people laughing at her for being ugly. She has gradually become obsessed with her nose because it is too large and prominent, then with her minimal acne, hair, and later with her buttocks. She has an excessive preoccupation with imagined physical defects. Name the possible condition: Body Dysmorphic Disorder.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
What are the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?
- Obsessions: Intrusive and inappropriate thoughts, images, and impulses that cause anxiety. Attempts are made to ignore or suppress these thoughts or acts. The individual recognizes that these are products of their mind.
- Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors aimed at preventing or reducing discomfort, events, or situations.