Mental Health Exam Study Guide

Mental Health Exam  Study Guide

Schizophrenia-Ch.26                                                                                     ATI 14, 22 Watch 2 videos on Blackboard Somatoform and Dissociative Ch.30, Personality Disorder Ch.34

Anxiety Ch.29 (Blackboard PDF Anxitey)                                              ATI 4, 11, 15, 19, 20, 22-left

Schizophrenia (split mind) (15?s)

    Distorted and bizarre thoughts, perceptions, emotions, movements, behavior…considered a disease process

Extreme cost to patient and families…high suicide rates as much as 50x average. 1 in 100≈2.5 million Americans…prospects are improving due to medications Onset average is between 15-25y.o. for men and 25-35y.o. for women

Abnormal Perception

    Inaccurate identification and interpretation of stimuli

    Hallucinations

    Experiences sensory distortion as real and responds accordingly

    No identifiable external or internal stimulus

    Misidentification /perception of faces

     contribute to fear, aggressiveness, withdrawal from interactions, hostility

Affect

    Can be observed by the examiner

    Describe:

    Broad

    Restricted

    Blunted

    Flat

    Inappropriate

    Remember cultural implications

Emotional Expression

    Hypo-expression of feelings…generally described as flat or blunted is typical

    May say they no longer have any feelings

    Alexithymia- inability to identify and describe emotions in the self

    Anhedonia

    Apathy

    Comorbid mood disorders

    Suicide risk (x50)

Behaviors

     Behaviors

    Appearance

    Aggression/agitation/violence

    Sign of violence, not typical

    Be proactive if present

    Repetitive or stereotyped behavior

    Avolition-lack of drive/goals/participation

    Lack of persistence at work/school

Behaviors Causing Socialization Problems

    Inability to communicate coherently

    Loss of drive and interest

    Deterioration of social skills

    Poor personal hygiene

    Paranoia

   Movements

   Catatonia, waxy flexibility, posturing

   EPS 2^{° to} meds

   Abnormal eye movements

   Grimacing

   Apraxia-can’t execute what would be a VOLUNTARY movement

   Echopraxia-INVOLUNTARY mimicking of other’s body movements/expressions

   Abnormal gait…shuffling, peculiar walk…

exacerbated by meds

   Mannerisms

    Symptoms may prevent socializing within accepted sociocultural norms

    Stigma