Review Level 1

Psychosis

A mental disorder characterized by a disconnection from reality, including hallucinations and delusions.

Schizophrenia

A severe mental disorder marked by disturbances in thought, perception, and behavior.

Hallucinations

Sensory experiences that appear real but are created by the mind.

Delusions

Fixed false beliefs that are resistant to reason or confrontation with actual facts.

Disorganized Speech

Incoherent or nonsensical speech often seen in schizophrenia.

Negative Symptoms

Symptoms that reflect a decrease in normal functions, such as flat affect and lack of motivation.

Schizophreniform Disorder

A diagnosis that includes the same symptoms as schizophrenia but lasts less than 6 months.

5 A's of Negative Symptoms

Anhedonia, Flat affect, Alogia, Avolition, Attention (poor).

Akathisia

An inner feeling of restlessness that manifests as an inability to remain still.

Prefrontal Cortex

The brain region implicated in negative symptoms and activities involving motivation and cognition.

Mesolimbic Pathway

The brain pathway linked to positive symptoms associated with excessive dopaminergic activity.

Tuberoinfundibular Pathway

A dopamine pathway that, when blocked by antipsychotics, can lead to hyperprolactinemia.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)

A serious side effect of antipsychotics characterized by muscle rigidity and autonomic instability.

Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS)

Drug-induced movement disorders caused by antipsychotic medications, including dystonia and parkinsonism.

Serotonin Syndrome

A potentially life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity.

Schizoaffective Disorder

A disorder with mood symptoms and schizophrenia-like symptoms occurring concurrently.

Brief Psychotic Disorder

A condition with symptoms similar to schizophrenia but lasting from 1 day to 1 month.

Delusional Disorder

A condition characterized by the presence of one or more delusions lasting at least 1 month.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

A mood disorder marked by persistent feeling of sadness, loss of interest, and various emotional and cognitive symptoms.

SIGECAPS

An acronym for the symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder: Sleep, Interest, Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite, Psychomotor activity, Suicide.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

A treatment for severe depression that involves inducing seizures in anesthetized patients.

Black Box Warning

A warning issued by the FDA indicating that a drug may cause serious or life-threatening effects.

Clozapine

An atypical antipsychotic medication with a risk of agranulocytosis.

SSRIs

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the first-line treatment for depression.

Mood Disorders

Conditions characterized by disturbances in mood, which can be triggered by internal and external stimuli.

Mood Episodes

Distinct periods of time during which an abnormal mood is present.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

A mood disorder defined by the presence of specific depressive episodes.

Anhedonia

Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable.

SIGECAPS

A mnemonic for symptoms of major depressive disorder: Sleep, Interest, Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite, Psychomotor activity, Suicidal ideation.

SSRI

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, a class of medications often used to treat depression.

SNRI

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors, such as venlafaxine and duloxetine, used for depression.

MAOIs

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, older medications for depression, used as a last resort due to dietary restrictions.

Atypical Depression

Depression characterized by exaggerated mood reactions and specific symptoms like sleep and appetite changes.

Catatonia

A psychomotor disturbance that may include immobility, purposeless motor activity, or bizarre postures.

Hypomania

A milder form of mania, lasting at least 4 days, without psychotic features.

DIG FAST

A mnemonic for symptoms of mania: Distractibility, Insomnia/impulsiveness, Grandiosity, Flight of ideas, Activity, Speech, Thoughtlessness.

Differential Diagnosis

The process of distinguishing one condition from others that present with similar symptoms.

Peripartum Onset

Depression that occurs during pregnancy and within 4 weeks after delivery.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

A type of depression that occurs at a specific time of year, often in winter.

Conversion Disorder

A mental health condition triggered by a physical or emotional crisis, where symptoms are not intentionally produced.

TCA

Tricyclic antidepressants such as Amitriptyline, Doxepin, and Imipramine, which can cause various side effects including sedation and dysrhythmias.

Flumazenil

An antagonist used for benzodiazepine overdose.

Huntington’s Disease Treatment

Treated with Tetrabenazine to manage symptoms.

Tourette Syndrome

A disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics lasting over a year, classified as Provisional Tic Disorder.

Habit Reversal Therapy

The first line treatment for Tourette Syndrome.

Enuresis

Involuntary urination, classified based on age; more prevalent in children over 5 years.

SNRI

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors, including Venlafaxine and Duloxetine, used for depression and other conditions.

Bupropion

An NDRI that can increase seizure risk, commonly used off-label for ADHD.

MAOIs

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors like Phenelzine and Selegiline, which can cause hypertensive crises.

Bruxism

Teeth grinding primarily occurring during phase 1 & 2 of NREM sleep.

Nystagmus

Involuntary eye movement often associated with drug overdoses such as PCP and can show elevated CPK.

Antipsychotics

Medications like Aripiprazole and Brexpiprazole, often referred to as second-generation or atypical antipsychotics.

M-CHAT

A screening tool for 16-30 months old to identify mild symptoms of autism.

CARS (Childhood Autism Rating Scale)

A scale that helps differentiate autism from other developmental delays.

ADOS

An evaluation tool considered the 'gold standard' of assessments for autism across all ages.

EEG

A test used to rule out any seizure activity in suspected cases.

MRI

An imaging method used to evaluate brain structure in autism assessments.

Risperidone

An antipsychotic effective for managing tantrums and aggressive behavior.

Abilify

An antipsychotic used to treat hyperactivity and stereotyped repetitive behavior.

Rett Syndrome

A genetic disorder primarily seen in girls that impairs motor function and typically follows normal development for 5-7 months after birth.

DMDD (Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder)

A condition in children characterized by temper outbursts inconsistent with their developmental stage.

IED (Intermittent Explosive Disorder)

An impulse control disorder defined by sudden episodes of unwarranted anger.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

A disorder characterized by losing temper frequently, defying rules, and blaming others.

Conduct Disorder

A disorder where rules and social norms are violated, which may lead to antisocial personality in adulthood.

Fragile X Syndrome

A genetic condition involving large head, elongated face, and difficulties with social interactions.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

A potential outcome of untreated conduct disorder characterized by a disregard for others.