PSYCHOPATHOLOGY OLD QUESTION PAPERS, ANSWERED EXAM QUESTION PAPER :2013 SECTION B: (Why the statements are False) 2. Down syndrome, a common cause of intellectual disability, is caused by the presence of an extra 23" chromosome Answer: The statement is false because down syndrome is caused by the presence of all or a portion of a third chromosome 21. 3.An IQ level between 20-25 and 35-40 is considered to be in the profound category of intellectual disability (mental retardation). Answer: False because IQ of 20-25 and 35-40 is considered severe. 4. People with dementia appear confused, disoriented, and out of touch with their surroundings in the early stages Answer: The statement is false because the following symptoms occur in mid-stage of dementia. 5. Agnosia, as seen in Alzheimer’s type of dementia, is characterized by the failure or inability to carry out motor activities despite intact motor functions. Answer: Apraxia and not Agnosia is characterized by the failure or inability to carry out motor activities despite intact motor functions. 6. Schizoaffective disorder is classified as a mood disorder which is characterized by a mood disorder with psychotic features. Answer: SECTION 4: SHORT QUESTIONS Answer the following short questions. 1. List any (a.) three symptoms of inattention and (b.) one symptom of impulsivity that are found in ADHD. (4) a) Symptoms of inattention Often does not seem to listen when spoken too directly. Difficulty attending to details. Forgetfulness b) one symptom of impulsivity Often have difficulty in waiting for his or her turn. 2. Give a concise clinical description of intellectual disability (ID). (8) IQ typically below 70-75 -Previously distinguished levels of severity, IQ can be as low as 20. Diagnosed on DSM-VI Axis II -Reserved for conditions that are chronic, pervasive and are likely to influence other Mental Disorders. Adaptive problems -Communication, self-care, home living etc. Disorder of childhood -Present before age 18 3. Compare and contrast delirium and dementia (8) 1. Dementia typically begins slowly and is gradually noticed over time whilst Delirium is usually a sudden change in a condition. 2. Dementia is generally a chronic, progressive disease that is incurable whilst Delirium can last for a couple of days to even a couple of months. 3. Delirium common causes include infections, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, drug side effects etc. whilst Dementia is primarily caused by neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease etc. 4. Dementia prevention strategies include proper management of medical conditions whilst Delirium maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, a healthy diet may help in prevention. 5. Compare and contrast schizophreniform disorder and brief psychotic disorder. (8) 1. Schizophreniform disorder is 1–6 months whilst Brief psychotic disorder is 24 hours to 30 days. 2. Schizophreniform disorder is often considered a mild whilst Brief psychotic disorder is severe. 3. Schizophreniform disorder has a better prognosis, many individuals recover fully from their symptoms within 6 months whilst Brief psychotic disorder is generally good, with most individuals recovering from their symptoms within a few weeks. 4. 5. Describe delusional disorder in details (10) Delusional disorder: is a type of psychotic disorder? Its main symptom is the presence of one or more delusions. A delusion is an unshakable belief in something that’s untrue. The belief isn’t a part of the person’s culture or subculture, and almost everyone else knows this belief to be false. What are the types of delusional disorder? There are different types of delusional disorder, which are determined based on the main theme of the delusions the person experiences. Erotomanic: People with this type of delusional disorder believe that another person, often someone important or famous, is in love with them. Grandiose: People with this type of delusional disorder have an overinflated sense of self-worth, power, knowledge or identity. Jealous: People with this type of delusional disorder believe that their spouse or sexual partner is unfaithful without any concrete evidence. Persecutory: People with this type of delusional disorder believe someone or something is mistreating, spying on or attempting to harm them (or someone close to them). What is the most common type of delusional disorder? The most common type of delusional disorder is the Persecutory type — when someone believes others are out to harm them despite evidence to the contrary. SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES Early symptoms of delusional disorder may include: 1. Feelings of being exploited. 2. Preoccupation with the loyalty or trustworthiness of friends. 3. A tendency to read threatening meanings into benign remarks or events. 4. Persistently holding grudges. 5. A readiness to respond and react to perceived slights. What causes delusional disorder? 1. Genetic factors: The fact that delusional disorder is more common in people who have family members with delusional disorder or schizophrenia suggests there might be a genetic factor involved. 2. Biological factors: An imbalance of certain chemicals in your brain, called neurotransmitters, has been linked to the formation of delusional symptoms. 3. Environmental and psychological factors: Evidence suggests that delusional disorder can be triggered by stress. Alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder might contribute to the condition. OLD QUESTION PAPERS, ANSWERED EXAM QUESTION PAPER: 2013 SUPPLIMENTARY SECTION B: SHORT QUESTIONS Answer the following short questions. 1. List any two anxiety disorders. (2) Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) Panic Disorder. 2. Personality disorders are categorized in three clusters. State and describe one personality disorder from each cluster. [9] 1. CLUSTER A PARANOID PERSONALITY DISORDER - Is characterized by a pervasive distrust and suspiciousness of other people. -People with this disorder assume that others are out to harm them, take advantage of them, or humiliate them in some way. -They put a lot of effort into protecting themselves and keeping their distance from others. -They are known to defensively attack others whom they feel threatened by. 2. CLUSTER B BORDERLINE DISORDER - Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious psychological condition characterized by unstable moods and emotions, relationships, and behavior. 3. CLUSTER C- AVOIDANT PERSONALITY DISORDER -People with avoidant personality disorder, struggle with feelings of inadequacy. -They are typically overly sensitive to negative remarks and tend to avoid interacting with other people as a result. -They are also likely to have low self-esteem and struggle to interact with new people. 3. Discuss ADHD in terms of its clinical description, etiology and treatment. Provide examples where appropriate. [12] CLINICAL DESCRIPTION ETIOLOGY 1. 2. 3. 4. Heredity Low birth weight Lead and other toxics Fatal alcohol exposure TREATMENT 1.Psychosocial intervention Improving academic performance, decreasing disruptive behavior, and improving social skills Behavioral interventions before medication Parent training 4.Social skills training 2. Biological intervention Goals Reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity Improve attention Stimulants 4 million currently treated 4. State any key two figures in the history of schizophrenia and briefly explain their contribution A. Emil Kraepelin Described schizophrenia as a distinct illness separate from other psychotic disorders Published a book in 1896 called "Dementia Praecox," which laid the foundation for the modern understanding of schizophrenia His work helped to identify the characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia, such as delusions and hallucinations Kraepelin's work has influenced the development of effective treatments for schizophrenia, such as antipsychotic medications B. Eugen Bleuler Coined the term "schizophrenia" in 1911 Introduced the concept of "the four A’s" to describe the characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia His work helped to refine the diagnosis and classification of schizophrenia Bleuler's contributions continue to influence modern research and treatment approaches for schizophrenia 5. List the four negative symptoms of schizophrenia and describe each. 1. Alogia Difficulty or inability to experience 2. Avolition Lack of motivation or interest in activity. 3. Anhedonia Inability to experience pleasure 4. Flat affect - Lack of emotional expression 5. State any three causes of intellectual disability (ID). (4) Genetic conditions Brain damage or injury Infections or exposure to toxins during pregnancy. 7. Briefly describe dementia of the Alzheimer's type (8) OLD QUESTION PAPERS, ANSWERED EXAM QUESTION PAPER: 2014 SECTION B: FALSE STATEMENTS The following statements are all false. In not more than two sentences for each statement. Explain why the statement is false. 1. The term "schizophrenia" was introduced around 1908 by a Swiss psychiatrist named Sigmund Freud Answer: The statement is false because the main who introduced the term was Paul Eugen Blueler. 2. An individual with an 1Q score of 60 would be classified with severe intellectual disability. Answer: An individual with an 1Q score of 60 would be classified with mild ID 3. Delirium is generally treated with benzodiazepine medication. Answer: Benzodiazepine medication causes Delirium rather than treating it. 4. Agnosia is characterized by the failure to recognize objects respite intact sensory function. Answer: This statement is false because apraxia is the inability respite intact sensory function. 5.Cluster A personality disorders tend to be characterized by dramatic behavior Answer: Cluster B personality disorders are the ones characterized by dramatic behaviors. 6. Mr. Smith (age 72) is brought to the hospital emergency rooms. His an explains that his father wake up this morning and was "not himself Mr. Smith appears confused, agitated, and a bit frightened. He does not know his own name and cannot recognize his son Mr. Smith's son responds that his father had been completely fine with no symptoms prior to that morning. Mr. Smith appears to be suffering from dementia. Answer: Mr. Smith appears to be suffering from delirium. SECTION SHORY QUESTIONS (38) Answer the following short questions 1.Briefly discuss the following concepts in relations to ethical and legal issues in psychopathology and mental health services (4): a) Competency to stand trial Ability to participate adequately in criminal proceedings and to aid in one’s own defense. Essential for trial or legal processes Duty to warn The responsibility of a counselor or therapist to warn the third parties or authorities if the patient possesses a threat to harm themselves. Taraoff v. Regents of the University of California -Must warn individual in danger Thompson v. County of Alameda - Threats must be specific 2.Briefly explain the etiology of intellectual disability (ID). Your explanation must include biological and environmental factors [8] Biological factors - Prenatal causes –Down syndrome - Perinatal- Neonatal disorders - Postnatal- Head injuries Environmental factors - Child abuse or neglecting - Chronic social or sensory deprivation 3. Give a concise clinical description of autistic disorder. 4. List the 3 types of symptoms of ADHD. For each type of symptoms, provide a concise description. 1. Predominantly inattentive - Difficulty in focusing, organizing and staying on task. - Frequently loses things - Having trouble in joining activities 2. Predominantly hyperactive/impulsive - Interrupting or intruding on others conversations - Talks too much - Blurts out words or answers before the question is asked 3. Combined presentation a) Joined inattentive and hyperactive symptoms 5. Briefly explain the causes of schizophrenia from the psychological perspective. QUESTION PAPER: 2019 NORMAL EXAMS- SECTION B Question 3 1.Name three anxious or fearful personality disorders a) Avoidant Personality Disorder b) Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder c) Dependent Personality Disorder 2.By which three features is psychosis defined? a) Delusions b) Hallucinations c) Disorganized thinking and speech NB: PSYCHOSIS IS A SYMPTOM 3. What is the difference between agnosia and facial agnosia? a) Agnosia –Is a disorder whereby a patient is unable to recognize and identify objects. b) Facial agnosia – The inability to recognize faces. - Comes from the Greek term “face and lack of knowledge” 4. Name any three lifestyle risk factors for the development of Alzheimer's disease. OLD QUESTION PAPERS, ANSWERED EXAM QUESTION PAPER: 2021 SECTION B SHORT QUESTIONS 1. State 3 causes of delirium Metabolic imbalances Infections Dementia 2.List one (a) chromosomal, (b) prenatal and (c) perinatal causes of intellectual disability. a) Chromosomal- Down syndrome b) Prenatal – Exposure to toxins during pregnancy c) Perinatal – Lack of oxygen during birth 3. Using your own words, briefly explain what is meant by fitness to stand trial (i.e. within context of legal and ethical issues in mental health). Fitness to stand trial refers to a defendant’s ability to understand the charges against them, comprehend the legal proceedings, and assist in their own defense. It is a mental and ethical issue in mental health as it involves determining whether the defendants mental state can participate in the trial process effectively or fairly. It is conducted by mental health professionals and it is important to ensure that defendants are not unfairly disadvantaged. 5. Using your own words, explain what is a personality disorder and how it may differ from other psychological disorders such as depression or schizophrenia. A personality disorder is a type of psychological disorder characterized by patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that deviate from cultural expectations and cause significant impairment in a person's social, occupational, and personal functioning. These patterns are often longstanding, pervasive, and inflexible, and they typically become evident in adolescence or early adulthood. Personality disorders differ from other psychological disorders such as depression or schizophrenia in several ways. First, personality disorders are characterized by enduring patterns of behavior, whereas depression and schizophrenia are typically episodic and may be more responsive to treatment. Second, personality disorders are often associated with problems in interpersonal relationships and self-identity, whereas depression and schizophrenia are typically associated with symptoms such as mood disturbances, hallucinations, and delusions. Finally, personality disorders are generally considered to be more difficult to treat than other psychological disorders, in part because the patterns of behavior are deeply ingrained and resistant to change. 6. Describe obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, indicating also the diagnostic criteria. (6) Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) - is a mental health disorder characterized by a pervasive pattern of preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control, at the expense of flexibility, openness, and efficiency. People with OCPD tend to be overly conscientious, rigid, and detailoriented, and they may have difficulty delegating tasks or completing them in a timely manner. They often have a strong sense of duty and morality, and may struggle with interpersonal relationships due to their inflexibility and need for control. The diagnostic criteria for OCPD, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), include: Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost. Perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g. is unable to complete a project because of their own overly strict standards). Excessive devotion to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships Inflexibility and rigidity in their routines and relationships with others, including an inability to delegate tasks or work cooperatively with others. The diagnosis requires the presence of a persistent and maladaptive pattern of behavior that causes significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning. A thorough evaluation by a mental health professional is necessary to accurately diagnose OCPD. 7. Comprehensively describe Autism spectrum disorder, with regards to the clinical description, diagnostic criteria. Provide appropriate examples for illustrations. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) - is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. It is called a "spectrum" disorder because it affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. Some individuals with ASD may have significant impairments in social interaction and communication, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, while others may have milder symptoms and be able to function at a higher level. Clinical Description: The clinical description of ASD includes a range of symptoms that affect an individual's daily life. These symptoms are typically present in early childhood and can persist throughout an individual's life. Some of the most common symptoms of ASD include: 1. Impairments in social interaction: Individuals with ASD may have difficulty with social interactions, such as making eye contact, understanding social cues, and developing friendships. 2. Communication difficulties: Individuals with ASD may experience difficulty with communication, both verbal and nonverbal. They may have difficulty understanding and using language, and may also have difficulty with gestures, facial expressions, and body language. 3. Restricted and repetitive behaviors: Individuals with ASD may engage in repetitive behaviors, such as rocking, spinning, or hand-flapping. They may also have obsessive interests or routines that they insist on following. Diagnostic Criteria: To receive a diagnosis of ASD, an individual must meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). The criteria include: 1. Persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts - Deficits in developing, maintaining, and understanding relationships 2. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities, as manifested by at least two of the following, currently or by history: - Stereotyped or repetitive motor movements, use of objects, or speech - Insistence on sameness, inflexible adherence to routines. 3. Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period (typically recognized in the first two years of life) and cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational. Examples: An example of a child with ASD may be a young boy who has difficulty making eye contact with others, does not respond when his name is called, and engages in repetitive behaviors such as flapping his hands or spinning in circles. 8.Compare and contrast neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer's disease and delirium. [12] 9.In brief essay, compare and contrast borderline personality disorder , histrionic and narcissistic personality disorder.
