The Mind (Consciousness) - HOSA Behavioral Health

Consciousness

A state of awareness in which we are aware of our surroundings (internal and external)

Self-Awareness

The understanding of the self as distinct to other stimuli

Default Mode Network

Maintains high levels of unconscious background activity, helps prepare for conscious thought

Circadian Rhythm

Daily biological rhythm, controlled by the hypothalamus in response to internal and external factors. Everyone has a different rhythm

Beta Wave

15-30 cycles/second, alert waking

Alpha Wave

2-12 cycles/second, relaxed waking

Gamma Wave

30+ cycles/second, attention to sensory input

Theta Wave

4-7 cycles/second, light NREM sleep

Delta Wave

1-4 cycles/second, deep NREM sleep

NREM Sleep Stages

1. Stage one occurs as we go to sleep. We are unaware we slept (microsleeps) and experience theta waves

2. Heart rate and muscle tension reduce, will wake up to unfamiliar stimuli. Sleep talking occurs in this stage (as well as the first)

3. Deeply asleep, waking here leads to disorientation. Experience delta waves. Sleepwalking occurs in this stage

REM Sleep

Waveforms resemble waking. Sympathetic nervous system active, making breathing/heart rate/ blood pressure irregular. Muscles twitch, upper body paralyzed. Only birds and mammals show REM sleep patterns

Onset Insomnia

Insomnia where a person lies in bed but is unable to fall asleep

Maintenance Insomnia

Insomnia where a person is frequently woken up at night, or wake extremely early

Narcolepsy

‘Sleep attacks’ where REM sleep occurs during wakefulness. Orexins are lost/damaged

Cataplexy

muscle paralysis associated with REM sleep occurs during wakefulness, without the paralysis. Touching the person ends the paralysis

Sleep Apnea

Breathing stops during sleep for 1-2 minutes, makes person wake up gasping for air.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

When a healthy infant dies in sleep without cause

Restless Legs Syndrome

Disorder characterized by involuntary movement of an extremity, usually a leg.

Coma

State of deep unconsciousness, no response to light, no reactions to sound. Occurs when reticular formation or both cerebral hemispheres are damaged. After 2-4 weeks patients either recover, enter vegetative state, or die.

Vegetative State

Wakefulness without consciousness, eyes open periodically and they can grind teeth, smile, cry, scream, and may respond to pain. Whether conscious awareness exists in this state is debatable

Brain Death

Complete and irreversible lack of brain activity, evidenced by 2 flatline EEG recordings 24 hours apart.

EEG

Electroencephalogram → shows brain wave patterns during different activities through electrodes on the scalp

Seizure

Abnormal levels of brain activity with sudden onset, can appear without obvious case

Partial Seizure

Originates in a part of the brain known as the Focal Area, often has an aura

Generalized Seizure

Abnormal activation of circuits connecting cortex to thalamus, do not originate from one area or have an aura

Tonic Clonic Seizure

Loss of consciousness, no breathing, intense muscular contractions, followed by short comatose period

Absence Seizure

Loss of awareness of surroundings, motor movement limited to blinking, head turning, and eye movement

Psychoactive Drugs

Any drug capable of altering a person’s state of consciousness

Hallucinogen

Drug that stimulates false perceptions

Stimulant

Drug that increases the activity of the nervous system

Marijuana

Most experience some excitation, vivid imagery, and mild euphoria. Others respond with depression/social withdrawal. Distorts perception of time and can distort imagery and cause hallucinations in some users

LSD

Lysergic acid diethylamide. Affects serotonin. Elicit vivid, colourful hallucinations, as well as more intrusive ones and flashbacks

Caffeine

Increases excitation/alertness, withdrawal symptoms include fatigue and headaches

Nicotine

Increases heart rate and blood pressure, reduces fatigue, improves cognitive performance and induces muscular relaxation

Cocaine and Amphetamines

Produce alertness, elevated mood, confidence, and a sense of well-being. Can experience hallucinations and irrational fears that others will harm them, as well as repetitive motor behaviours

Ritalin (Methylphenidate)

Boost dopamine and norepinephrine activity, increases ability to stay alert and concentrate. Affects sleep and appetite

MDMA (Ecstasy)

Affects serotonin and oxytocin. Increases heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Excessive serotonin activity can cause dehydration, exhaustion, hypothermia, convulsions, and death.

Alcohol

Affects GABA and dopamine.
low doses → dilates blood vessels (warm, flushed feeling), decreases anxiety

high doses → aggression, risky behaviours, poor motor coordination

very high doses → coma/death from suppression of breathing or inhaling vomit

Opioids

Endogenous endorphins (natural, pain relieving), releases large amounts of dopamine to suppress pain.
low doses → mild euphoria/relief, reduced anxiety, muscle relaxation, sleep

high doses → rapid onset euphoria, depressed (shallow) breathing, can lead to death