Psychology: PTSD and Schizophrenia Quiz

Mental Health Conditions Overview

• Mental health conditions are a diverse range of issues impacting individuals' well-being, encompassing various symptoms and manifestations.
• The DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) is widely used by the American Psychiatric Association to categorize and diagnose nearly 300 mental health disorders.
• The DSM-V provides a common language and criteria for diagnosing these disorders.
• The diagnosis is often considered a "clinical" diagnosis based on observed manifestations, not solely on lab tests or scans.
• Self-report rating systems determine symptom severity.

Neurophysiology and Mental Health

• Neurophysiology examines the brain's role in various mental conditions.
• The cerebrum, with its distinct functional areas (e.g., frontal lobe, parietal lobe), plays a critical role.
• Dysfunction or damage in these brain areas can manifest in specific symptoms.
• Key brain structures like the amygdala, thalamus, hypothalamus, and hippocampus are impacted by mental health conditions.
• Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers between neurons involved in various mental conditions.
• They are categorized as excitatory or inhibitory based on their action.
• Mental health conditions are often related to neurotransmitter issues.

Schizophrenia

• Schizophrenia affects less than 1% of the population, equally in men and women.
• Peak onset tends to be between 15-25 for men and 25-35 in women.
• Symptoms can manifest more severely and treatment may be less effective in men.
• Frequent relapses and repeated hospitalizations are common patterns.
• It's one of the most severe mental health conditions, often with a strong link to substance abuse.

Etiology of Schizophrenia

• Heredity/genetics plays a significant role (approximately 60% inherited).
• Neurotransmitters, including dopamine and six other neurotransmitters, are believed to be involved.
• Factors impacting neurodevelopment, including events during fetal development and environmental stressors such as stress, are considered contributing.

Manifestations of Schizophrenia

• Manifestations are categorized into four types:
  • Positive (hallucinations, delusions, paranoia)
  • Negative (apathy, avolition, anhedonia)
  • Cognitive (impaired memory, inattention, perseveration, poverty of thought)
  • Depressive

DSM-V Criteria for Schizophrenia

• The condition lasts for at least six months, including at least one month of active symptoms.
• Active symptoms include two or more of the following: hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, disorganization or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms.

Phases of Psychosis

• Schizophrenia frequently progresses through phases, including an acute phase (positive and negative symptoms, unable to care for oneself), a recovery phase (symptoms present but are less severe), and a stable state (symptoms in remission, able to live independently).

Schizophrenia Treatment

• Treatment is multidisciplinary, involving psychotherapy, medications (antipsychotics that act as dopamine antagonists), antidepressants, skills training, and support services aiming to promote safety.

Schizophrenia Prognosis

• The outcome is highly variable.
• Early intervention and social support are vital for better recovery.
• Complete remission after one or more psychotic episodes occurs in about 25-30% of cases.
• Chronic and debilitating courses with relapses are common in many, with about 30-40% becoming homeless.

Mood Disorders

• Mood disorders (affective disorders) involve significant disruptions in mood states. This can include depressed or elevated moods.
• Mood disorders can negatively affect the individual, family, and overall life function.
• Females are diagnosed with mood disorders significantly more often (1.7-2.7 times more frequent) than males.
• Mood disorders can impact physiology, cognition, and behavior.

Etiology of Mood Disorders

• The direct cause remains unknown, although various theories exist.
• Genetic factors play a role.
• Altered neurotransmitter function, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine, is a contributing factor.
• Neuroendocrine dysfunction (specifically HPA or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) is another possible factor.
• Kindling theory suggests that stress can trigger a cascade of neurobiological changes that increase the vulnerability to future episodes of depression and magnify stress responses.

Types of Mood Disorders

• Persistent depressive disorder (unipolar): characterized by major depressive episodes (single or recurrent).
• Bipolar disorders: characterized by manic episodes.

Major Depression DSM-V Criteria

• Symptoms must last for at least two weeks and not be attributed to substance use, a medical condition, or bereavement.
• Symptoms include depressed mood, diminished interest in activities, weight changes, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness, difficulty concentrating, and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Bipolar Disorder

• Bipolar disorder features periods of both depression and mania.
• Manic episodes include extreme mood elevation, increased energy, decreased need for sleep, and heightened impulsivity. (Specific criteria outlined separately).
• Bipolar episodes should not be due to substances, electroconvulsive therapy, or light therapy.

Anxiety Disorders

• Anxiety encompasses feelings of unease, often linked to perceived threats, conflict, or danger.
• It can range from mild (beneficial) to severe (disruptive).
• Anxious states can activate responses such as fight or flight, preparing the body for potential threats.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) DSM-V Criteria

• Excessive anxiety and worry about several issues for at least six months.
• This excessive worry must be present with at least three or more symptoms like: restlessness, feeling on edge, being easily fatigued, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.
• The excessive worry may interfere with normal functioning in both social and occupational settings.

Panic Disorder DSM-V Criteria

• This includes sudden, recurrent panic attacks (episodes of intense fear) and is categorized by various physical symptoms, such as palpitations, trembling, dizziness, chest pain, and feelings of impending doom.
• Persistent concerns, worry about consequences, and significant behavioral changes related to these attacks are defining characteristics.

Phobias

• Phobias involve panic-inducing reactions to particular situations or objects, prompting avoidance of these triggers.
• Phobias can exist in different types, such as specific phobias and social phobias.
• They last at least six months, more often starting in childhood or early adulthood, more commonly in women.

Anxiety Etiology

• Anxiety can result from an activated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, caused by stress, that promotes a fight-or-flight response, often accompanied by increased activity in the amygdala and hippocampus.
• Genetic factors are also thought to play a role.
• Altered serotonin transporter genes may increase sensitivity to stress, and both learned and socially acquired anxiety exist.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

• OCD is marked by recurring, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors (compulsions) to neutralize the obsessions.
• This disorder frequently affects women and men equally; it typically begins in adolescence (20-30s) and is found in about 2.5% of the population.
• Genetic predispositions may be triggered by infection or environmental stressors; trauma can also be a factor.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• PTSD develops after directly experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, and it can cause severe psychological distress.
• Rates vary widely, and there is a link to the availability of support systems in recovery following a traumatic event.
• It's important to consider causal factors, including the severity of the identifiable traumatic event. Understanding which other conditions PTSD is linked to is important to consider.

PTSD DSM Criteria

• The criteria include exposure history to a traumatic event, the presence of persistent, re-experiencing symptoms (intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, negative alterations in mood or cognition (difficulty remembering the event, negative beliefs about oneself or the world), and marked alterations in arousal and reactivity (hypervigilance, irritability).
• Duration of symptoms and resulting impairment in functioning are also considered.

Eating Disorders

• Eating disorders are characterized by severe disturbances in eating behaviors (e.g., restriction, excessive concern over body weight or shape).
• These disorders often affect adolescent girls and young women in industrialized countries and demonstrate a high mortality rate.
• Genetic abnormality, altered serotonin levels, developmental challenges, and sociocultural factors contribute to the etiology of eating disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa DSM-V Criteria

• The refusal to maintain a minimally normal body weight is a defining feature, stemming from an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat and a distorted body image.

Anorexia Nervosa Manifestations

• Malnutrition impacts various bodily systems, potentially causing amenorrhea, loss of secondary sex characteristics, osteoporosis, cold intolerance, cardiovascular issues, electrolyte imbalances, and lanugo (fine hair growth), which are all critical symptoms to identify and address.

Anorexia Nervosa Treatment

• Treatment is multidisciplinary, targeting weight gain, addressing family issues, and implementing strategies for cognitive, physiological (nutrition, sleep), and emotional aspects.

Anorexia Nervosa Prognosis

• Fifty percent of individuals recover from anorexia nervosa, but a substantial number develop bulimia nervosa, while 10-20% may die from complications.

Bulimia Nervosa DSM-V Criteria

• Bulimia involves episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as purging (self-induced vomiting), misuse of laxatives or diuretics.
• This condition is characterized by an unduly influenced self-perception of body shape and weight.

Bulimia Nervosa Complications

• Physical complications from binge eating, purging, laxative/diuretic abuse include: fluid and electrolyte imbalances, parotitis, dental, esophageal, cardiovascular issues, and other medical complications.

Bulimia Nervosa Treatment

• Psychological treatment, aiming to address the patient's awareness of maladaptive behaviors, and pharmaceutical interventions are key to treating bulimia nervosa, often involving antidepressants (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)).

Mental Health Diagnostics

• Diagnosis relies on DSM criteria.
• Medical history (Hx) and physical examinations are needed to rule out other conditions or complications.

Test your knowledge on PTSD and schizophrenia with this comprehensive quiz. Explore criteria, symptoms, therapies, and treatment options based on the DSM-V. Ideal for psychology students and professionals looking to assess their understanding of these mental health disorders.