Psychotic and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Definitions

These flashcards cover key definitions related to psychotic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and important medications.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder characterized by distortions in thought, perception, emotions, language, behavior, and sense of self.

Grief Psychosis

A disorder involving a temporary loss of reality and cognitive functioning, generally stemming from a profound grief experience.

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences that appear real but are created by the mind, often associated with psychotic disorders.

Delusions

Strongly held false beliefs, often of persecution or grandeur, that are resistant to reasoning or confrontation with actual fact.

Schizophreniform Disorder

A mental disorder with symptoms similar to schizophrenia but lasting less than six months.

Schizoaffective Disorder

A condition featuring symptoms of both schizophrenia and mood disorder. (6+ Months)

Alogia

A significant decrease in the quantity or content of speech, often seen in individuals with psychotic disorders.

First Generation Antipsychotics

Older antipsychotic medications typically used to treat schizophrenia and other severe mental disorders.

Second Generation Antipsychotics

Newer antipsychotic medications that may have fewer side effects than the first generation and are used to treat schizophrenia.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

A psychological condition where an individual experiences excessive fear or anxiety about separation from home or attachment figures.

Selective Mutism

A complex anxiety disorder characterized by a child's inability to speak in certain social situations despite speaking in other settings.

Conduct Disorder

A behavioral disorder in children and teenagers characterized by a pattern of disruptive and threatening behavior.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

A behavioral disorder marked by a pattern of angry, irritable, or argumentative behavior.

Reactive Attachment Disorder

A serious condition in which a child fails to establish healthy attachments with parents or caregivers.

Neurodevelopmental Disorder

A group of conditions with onset in the developmental period, characterized by developmental deficits that produce impairments in personal, social, academic, or occupational functioning.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

A complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication challenges and restricted, repetitive behaviors.

Attention Deficit Disorder

A neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity.

Leading Cause of Substance Abuse in the Elderly

misuse of prescription drugs or meds

Neurocognitive Disorders

Cognitive disorders that occur due to changes in the brain, affecting memory, thinking, and learning.

Alzheimer's Disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss, cognitive decline, and ultimately loss of ability to perform basic tasks.

Parkinsonian and related symptoms

Symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease (slow movement, muscle stiffness, tremors) caused by dopamine blockage from antipsychotics.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

A rare, life-threatening reaction to antipsychotic medications causing high fever, severe muscle rigidity, confusion, and unstable vital signs.

Tardive dyskinesia

A long-term, sometimes permanent disorder involving involuntary, repetitive movements (often of the face, lips, or tongue).

First Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs)

Older drugs primarily used to treat schizophrenia, with higher risk of movement side effects.

Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)

A low-potency FGA that reduces positive symptoms but causes more sedation and anticholinergic side effects.

Haloperidol (Haldol)

A high-potency FGA effective for severe agitation and psychosis, but with a higher risk of movement side effects (EPS).

Fluphenazine

A high-potency FGA similar to Haldol, often used in long-acting injections; also has a high risk of extrapyramidal symptoms.

Thioridazine

A low-potency FGA known for sedation and anticholinergic effects, with lower risk of movement problems but higher risk of cardiac issues.

Second Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs)

Newer drugs with a lower risk of side effects compared to FGAs, treating both positive and negative symptoms.

Risperidone (Risperdal)

An SGA that helps with positive and negative symptoms; can cause weight gain and increased prolactin.

Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

A very effective SGA known for significant weight gain and metabolic issues (like high blood sugar).

Quetiapine (Seroquel)

An SGA that treats psychosis and mood symptoms; often sedating and used for sleep in low doses.

Clozapine (Clozaril)

The most effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, requiring regular blood tests due to risk of dangerous low white blood cell counts.

Separation Anxiety Disorder

Extreme anxiety, often panic, whenever a child is separated from home or a parent.

Selective Mutism

An individual persistently does not speak in certain social situations where speech is expected, but speaks fine in other situations.

Conduct Disorder

A severe problem where children repeatedly violate others’ basic rights, often tied to Multisystemic Therapy (MST).

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Children with this disorder are repeatedly argumentative, defiant, angry, irritable, and sometimes vindictive.

Reactive Attachment Disorder

A condition where a child has difficulty forming healthy attachments to caregivers, often due to neglect or lack of responsiveness.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A condition caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, leading to growth problems, facial abnormalities, and lifelong brain/behavior difficulties.

Neurodevelopmental Disorder

A group of disorders manifesting during the developmental period, generally before grade school.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

A complex developmental disorder characterized by being extremely unresponsive to others, uncommunicative, repetitive, and rigid.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)

A neurodevelopmental disorder marked by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity.

Leading Cause of Substance Abuse in the Elderly

Misuse of prescription drugs due to chronic health problems, pain, and polypharmacy.

Major Neurocognitive Disorder

A significant decline in one or more cognitive areas that interferes with daily functioning and independence.

Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

A modest decline in cognitive abilities that does NOT interfere with independence.

Delirium

A sudden, short-term disturbance in attention and awareness, marked by confusion and disorientation, usually caused by a medical condition, infection, or substance use.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive brain disorder causing memory loss, confusion, and decline in thinking and daily functioning; treated with Donepezil (Aricept).

Korsakoff’s Syndrome

A disorder caused by severe thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, linked to long-term alcohol use, characterized by major memory problems and confabulation; treated with thiamine replacement and alcohol cessation.

Parkinson’s Disease

A movement disorder caused by low dopamine, leading to tremors, stiffness, and slow movement; treated with Levodopa (L-DOPA).

Dopamine (Neurotransmitter)

A brain chemical involved in movement, reward, motivation, and pleasure. Low levels are tied to Parkinson’s; high levels to psychosis.

Acetylcholine (Neurotransmitter)

A brain chemical important for memory, learning, and muscle movement. Low levels are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Rosenhan Experiment (1973)

A study testing the validity of psychiatric diagnoses by having healthy 'pseudopatients' fake hallucinations to gain admission to psychiatric hospitals, then act normally.

Schizoaffective Disorder

A condition featuring symptoms of both schizophrenia and mood disorder. (6+ Months)

Avolition

A decrease in the motivation to initiate and perform self-directed purposeful activities.