Psychopathology Final SA

Question 1 - Aphasia

Broca's Aphasia: Problems producing speech due to damage to left frontal lobe. Patient speaks slowly, choppy and telegraphic, only using main words and omitting "and' or "of"

Wernicke's Aphasia: Problems comprehending language and producing meaningful sentences. Patient speaks fluently, but what they are saying does not make sense. They speak in word salad; sentences are out of order or use made up words

Question 2 - Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Positive symptoms are the presence of distorted mental processes, contents or behaviors that are intrusive and extensive. For example:

Hallucinations: sensations so vivid that the perceived objects/situations seem real. Auditory hallucinations are the most common (hearing voices), but they can be associated with any sense.

Delusions: Incorrect beliefs that persist despite evidence that they are incorrect. They follow a particular theme, for example:

- Delusions of grandeur: the belief that they are more powerful, knowledgeable, or capable than true

- Paranoid delusions: belief of being persecuted

- Delusions of reference: belief that unrelated external events have special meaning to them

- Delusions of control: belief they are being controlled by others (or aliens) that are putting thoughts into their head

Disorganized Speech: Speaking incoherently, in word salad or neologisms

Disorganized Behavior: A large range of behavior that is inappropriate for the situation or catatonia

Question 2 - Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Negative symptoms are the absence of normal mental processes, contents or behaviors. For example:

Flat affect: narrowed range of emotional expression

Alogia: Speaking less than others, responding slowly and minimally to questions (poverty of speech)

Avolition: Difficulty initiating/following through with activities. Different from catatonia because the patient is physically unable to move here.

Question 3 - Tarasoff Rule

Psychologists and mental health clinicians have a duty to protect possible victims who are in imminent danger. Mental health professionals who decide a patient is about to harm a specific person must:

1. Warn the person or tell someone who can warn them

2. Notify law enforcement

3. Take other reasonable steps such as having the patient voluntarily or involuntarily committed to a facility.

This rule extends a clinicians duty to warn to a duty to protect and requires violating confidentiality to protect the possible victim.