what is a psychological disorder?
deviant, distressful, dysfunctional pattern of thoughts, feelings, behaviours that interferes with the ability to function in a healthy way
are mental health disorders like diseases?
YES -> actual conditions implying cognitive, behavioural and emotional alterations caused by complex interactions between genetic predispositions and environmental factors
NO -> unclear pathophysiology + etiology, highly culturally defined (subjective)
how many adults experience mental illness in a given year?
43.8 million
1/5 adults in America
½ of all chronic mental illness begin by age 14
what is prevalence of mental illness by diagnosis?
1.1% schizophrenia
2.6% bipolar
6.9% major depression
18.1 % anxiety -> highest one
what is the etiology of mental disorders?
it is unknown but there are many hypotheses
mix of genetic vulnerability + environmental factors (I.e. trauma)
diathesis stress/dual risk model: resilient and vulnerable individuals usually react positively (the same way) when they have a positive experience BUT for a negative experience, a vulnerable individual has a way more negative outcome
what are things out of and under one's control when it comes to the etiology of mental disorders?
initial resiliency + coping skills, childhood environment, life experiences
lifestyle, growing resiliency + coping skills
what role does epigenetics play in mental disorders?
ex: developments of coping skills due to life experiences can affect the epigenetics
what are 4 common themes in mental disorders?
genetic predispositions + environmental factors
frequent mental illness comorbidities
challenging diagnosis (many subjective criteria)
hypothesis for pathophysiology come from MoA of drugs used to treat mental disorders
what is the DSM-5?
5th edition of diagnostic + statistical manual of mental disorders
what is schizophrenia?
idk
what are 3 types of symptoms?
positive, negative, cognitive
what are positive symptoms?
new features, psychotic, non occur physiologically
delusions = false beliefs, feel very strong about it (control + reference)
hallucinations = any kind of sensation that's not actually there (visual + auditory)
disorganized speech + behaviour
catatonic behaviour = moving, posture, unresponsive
what are negative symptoms?
reduction/removal of normal
flat affect = doesn't respond w/emotions or reaction that would be appropriate
alogia = lack of content in speech
avolition = decreased in motivation to complete goals
what are cognitive symptoms?
can't remember things, learn new things, understand others
more subtle, difficult to notice
what are the 3 phases of schizophrenia?
prodromal: withdrawn, alone, isolate (looks like depression)
active: severe Sx -> delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech/behaviours
residual: cognitive Sx, withdrawn
cycles through the 3
how is schizophrenia diagnosed?
needs 2 of these:
- delusions
- hallucinations
- disorganized speech
- disorganized behaviour
- catatonic behaviour
OR negative Sx, one HAS to be delusion/hallucination/speech
HAS to be ongoing 6 months
what causes schizophrenia?
don't know
majority of meds for it block dopamine D2 receptors -> decrease dopamine
-> suggest schizophrenia has to do w/an increase in dopamine
-> however doesn't work for everyone, suggests norepinephrine, serotonin, GABA are involved as well
no genes linked
environment: early/prenatal exposure to infection, autoimmune diseases
sex: men more than women
how is schizophrenia different than other disorders in terms of the DSM-5?
only DSM disorder w/objective diagnostic criteria -> their brain physically looks different
what is the biggest risk factor of schizophrenia ?
family history
what is the dopamine alteration hypothesis for schizophrenia?
the mesocortical DA pathway has a reduced transmission in SCZ, therefore there is a decrease in DA, and the presence of negative Sx
the mesolimbic DA pathway has a increased transmission in SCZ, therefore there is a increase in DA, and the presence of positive Sx
shows how location of brain matters, it is not simply an increase/decrease of DA
what are the differences observed on an MRI scan in an SCZ patient?
enlarged ventricles (empty space where CSF circulates) -> means you have less brain and more empty space
reduced hippocampus
what are the differences observed on an PET scan in an SCZ patient?
PET measures metabolic activity via glucose consumption
loss of cortical tissue = less neuronal activity, less glucose consumption (mostly in temporal lobe)
what are the differences observed on an fMRI scan in an SCZ patient?
measures neuronal activity via blood flow variations
decreased activity in temporal lobe
what is a mood vs an emotion?
mood = sustained emotional state
emotions = transient emotional state
what is mania?
mood disorder marked by hyperactive widely optimistic state, makes you do crazy things that feel good at the time
what are mood disorders?
emotional extremes + challenges in regulating mood
-> depressive disorders = prolonged hopelessness + lethargy
-> bipolar disorders = alternating between depression + mania
what causes mood disorders?
biological, genetic, environment, psychological
->stressful life event can't give bipolar but it can trigger manic/depressive episode in pre-existing
what is depression?
sadness + grief in extended beyond generally accepted norms (that causes dysfunction)
common cold of mental illness -> top reason for seeking mental health
how do you diagnose depression?
at least 5 Sx of depression for > 2 weeks
- depressed mood
- weight increase/decrease
- sleep increase/decrease
- thoughts of suicide
- decreased interest
- feeling worthless, fatigued
- trouble concentrating
NEEDS TO CAUSE PROLONGED DISTRESS
what is bipolar disorder?
mood disorder in which a person alternates between hopelessness/ lethargy of depression and overexcited state of mania
what happens to the brain in depressed state? manic state?
brain slows down, decreased norepinephrine, decreased serotonin
brain activity increases, increases norepinephrine, increased serotonin
what are characteristics of the lows of bipolar disorder?
same as major depressive disorder
- hopeless + discouraged
- lack of energy + focus
- physical Sx = eating/sleeping too little/much
what are characteristics of the highs of bipolar disorder?
manic episodes
- energetic
- overly happy/optimistic
- euphoric
- high self-esteem
- pressured speech (talk constantly at rapid-fire pace)
- racing thoughts
- delusions of grandeur (mission of god, super powers)
- poor decision making - no regard for consequences
explain differences between unipolar, bipolar 1, bipolar 2 and cyclothymia.
unipolar -> only depression, high of mania
bipolar 1 -> >2 weeks of depression then >4 days (can be longer) of mania
bipolar 2-> same as bipolar 1 but its hypomania not mania, less extreme highs
cyclothymia -> perfect cycle between depression and mania
what are other symptoms of bipolar disorder?
mixed episodes: symptoms of depression + mania at same time
rapid cycling: 4 or more episodes of depression or mania within 1 year
what is cause of bipolar disorder?
not known
family with bipolar disorder -> 10x more likely
drugs + medications
comorbidities: anxiety, SUDs, ADHD, personality disorders
what is the treatment options for bipolar disorder?
lithium salts -> mood stabilizer
antidepressants -> can trigger manic episode
antipsychotics
anticonvulsants
benzodiazepines
all these have BAD side effects
psychological intervention -> talk therapy, CBT
what are some examples of depressive symptoms?
dysphoric, irritable mood, loss of interests and pleasurable (anhedonia), loss/gain of appetite and body weight, fatigue or loss of energy, suicidal thoughts
what are some examples of manic symptoms?
elevated euphoria + self-esteem, grandiosity with extreme levels of energy, poor judgement
what is the monoamine hypothesis for depression and mania?
neurotransmission alterations
DA, NE, 5-HT decreases during depression
DA, NE, 5-HT increases during mania
what is the hormonal hypothesis for depression and mania?
HPA axis hyperactivation (stress-induced)
-> increase in cortisol and central stress response activation
(appetite + weight alterations, immunosuppression, energy depletion + fatigue, sleep disorders)
what is the immune system hypothesis for depression and mania?
back and forth communication between brain-immune
1- mutual risk factors: depression increases risk of auto immune, auto immune increases risk of future mental illness
2- pro-inflammatory cytokines: depression increases TNFaplha and IL-6
3- antidepressants: have anti-inflammatory properties, ppl with higher baseline inflammation respond less to traditional treatments + more to those with anti-inflammatory
what is general anxiety disorder?
excessive + persistent worrying for 6+ months
frequent comorbidities: panic disorder + depression
self medication behaviours: alcohol + Rx of abuse
continually tense + apprehensive, experiencing unfocused, negative+ out of control feelings
what is panic disorder?
multiple disabling panic attacks: short episodes (increased HR, chest pains, SOB)
teens and young adults
frequent comorbidity: agoraphobia
what is social anxiety disorder?
irrational fear of social situations leading to anxiety + avoidance behaviours
subtype of phobia: persistent, irrational fears of specific objects, activities or situations
anxiety related to interacting/being seen by others
what is obsessive compulsion disorder (OCD)?
unwanted repetitive thoughts which become obsessions, sometimes accompanied by actions which become compulsions to relieve anxiety
what are phobias?
persistant, irrational fears of specific objects, activities or situations -> leads to avoidance behaviour
what is learning perspectives at the onset of anxiety?
stimulus generalization
reinforcement -> avoiding it increases anxiety
cognition -> how we determine
acquired -> parents
what is biological perspectives at the onset of anxiety?
central selection
genetics + brain chemistry -> overarousal in areas of brain that deal w/impulse
what are some considerations of anxiety disorders?
most prevalent mental illness
high comorbidity with many other mental illness
self-promoting vicious cycle of anxiety and avoidance behaviours
frequent self-medication and drug abuse (alcohol!!!)
what is obsession and compulsion aspect of OCD?
obsession: persistent, unwanted + distressing thoughts or impulses involuntarily coming to mind despite efforts to avoid/suppress it
compulsion: repetitive behaviour or mental act in response to the obsession in order to relieve anxiety; hence it generates anxiety if they are inhibited
what is post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to traumatic experience that last long after the traumatic even has occurred/ended
top 2: sexual abuse + war
3 core Sx: sense of threat, avoidance, re-experiencing
what is the HPA and SNS pathophysiology?
hyperactive HPA-axis -> elevated cortisol
hyperactive SNS -> fight, flight, freeze
what is the CNS pathophysiology?
impaired monoamine neurotransmission -> decreased serotonin + NE
impaire inhibitory neuromodulation -> decreased GABA
heightened sensitivity to pH alterations within CSF -> panic attacks
hyperactive amygdala -> hypervigilance
hyperactive cingulate cortex -> anticipatory anxiety
what is default mode network?
network of neurons
most active when doing nothing + thinking abt social interactions, past and future
when active, serotonin and NE transmission in other brain areas declines
focusing on self within present (meditation) reduces DMN activity
what is operant conditioning?
reinforcement increase behaviour OR punishment decrease behaviour
both have positive and negative
what is negative reinforcement?
escape: remove noxious stimuli following correct behaviour (declining social plans with SAD)
active avoidance: behaviour avoids noxious stimulus (leaving party early with SAD)
feels good short term but increases anxiety long-term because so much attention and energy is devoted to anxiety
what is an ego-dystonic disorder?
aware they have problem, tend to be distressed by Sx
what is an ego-syntonic disorder?
not aware they have a problem
what is a personality disorder?
inflexible, disruptive, enduring behaviour patterns that impair social + other functioning
what is cluster A of PD?
odd and eccentric
paranoid PD (suspicious, humourless)
schizoid PD (few friends, indifferent to praise/criticism)
schizotypal PD (aloof, isolated, magical thinking, metaphoric speech)
what is cluster B of PD?
dramatic, emotional, impulsive
antisocial PD (break laws, no remorse, appears friendly)
borderline PD (self destructive, impulse, erratic, crisis state)
histrionic PD (impulsive, dramatic, inappropriate sexual, centre of attention)
narcissistic PD (can't apologize, exploits others, grandiose)
what is cluster C of PD?
anxious, fearful, avoidant
avoidant PD (social withdrawal, uncomfortable being social)
dependent PD (lack of self-confidence shown in posture, voice)
OCD PD (perfectionist, preoccupied w/details, rules, schedules)
what is PDNOS?
personality disorder not otherwise specified
what is the dimensional model of PD?
4 types that all stem from borderline
neurotic -> organization
antisocial -> extroversion
psychotic -> personality
schizoid -> introversion
what is BPD?
borderline personality disorder = complicated learned behaviours + emotional responses to traumatic or neglectful environments, rapid and intense change in emotion and unstable mood
what is antisocial PD?
lack of conscious for wrongdoing, even toward friends or family
what are the 4 diagnosis criteria for PD?
1. pattern of experiences and behaviours deviating from individuals socio-cultural norms in at least 2 (cognition, affect, social, impulse)
2. pattern is inflexible and pervasive
3. pattern causes significant distress or impairments
4. pattern is stable across time and situations and has an early onset
what is the prevalence of PD?
9-15% for any PD
1-5% for individual PD
female>male
what are facts about PD + comorbidities?
extremely high
general anxiety is 52%
mood disorders 24%
substance abuse 22%
what is the diagnosis of antisocial PD?
3+ of the following before 15 years:
respectfulness
deceitful
impulsive
aggressive
reckless
irresponsible
what are correlations with antisocial PD?
violence + criminal behaviours
substance use
what are risk factors of antisocial PD?
conduct disorder
low response to emotional distress
fam history of mental health
abuse/neglect/violent fam environment
what are prevention of antisocial PD?
early intervention in children at risk
modify toxic environment
what are risk factors of BPD?
genetics, trauma, female
people with BPD have 10% suicide rate
women 2x more likely
what is diagnosis of BPD?
5+ of following
- avoiding real or imagined abandonment
- extreme + or - emotions
- inconsistent self-image and identity
- impulsive dangerous behaviours
- instability in mood or emotion
- paranoia or excessive stress
- suicidal thoughts
- difficulty controlling anger
- feelings of emptiness