Pathophysiology: Causes of Psychosis (Dr. Liu) Exam 2

What are the main 2 categories of psychosis?

Organic psychosis, functional psychosis

Organic Psychosis

caused by physical damage or chemical imbalances in the brain

What are the 6 types of organic psychosis?

senile, cerebral arteriosclerosis, alcoholism, epilepsy, disease, injury

Senile Psychosis

brought on by old age, after age 60 there appears impairment to such functions as remembering and learning.

What is Senile Psychosis characterized by?

rapid and pronounced loss of mental function, with paranoid behavior, disorientation, and the inability to learn new skills. mood tend to change rapidly.

Senile Psychosis is also called

Alzheimer's Disease

Cerebral Arteriosclerosis

a consequence of hardening of the arteries and decreased blood flow to the brain. the undernourished parts of the brain tend to soften and degenerate, which results in lost mental function

Alcoholism

produced by the withdrawal from alcohol.

What is the most common alcoholic psychosis?

Delirium Tremens (DTs)

Chronic alcoholism leads to...

deterioration of the brain and decline in sensory, rational, and ethical behavior.

Epilepsy

seizures can produce psychotic symptoms and behaviors. Seizures short circuit the brain and normal function becomes impaired for a period of time.

What disease is an infectious organism enters brain,damages tissue,and alters brain function, leading to psychotic behavior

Syphilis

Injury

injury to the head can result in brain damage and abnormal brain function

Functional Psychosis

resulting acute trauma or depression, without chemical or anatomical abnormalities, brought about by stressful situations or conditions

What are some stressful conditions or situations that can induce functional psychosis?

war, death, loss of loved one, life-threatening experiences