Medical psychology, lecture 4, PATIENT PSYCHOLOGY

What are common psychological reactions to hospitalization?

Anxiety, fear, uncertainty, frustration, and depression.

What is 'institutional neurosis syndrome'?

Apathy, resignation, subordination, loss of initiative due to separation from former social role.

Who is considered a 'good patient'?

Someone who cooperates, respects medical staff, accepts illness, and adheres to hospital rules.

What behaviors characterize a 'bad patient'?

Hyperactivity, withdrawal, or regression due to unmet psychological needs.

What helps reduce anxiety at hospital admission?

Proper communication and, if possible, unlimited visits.

What is 'stress inoculation' in surgical preparation?

Pre-surgery interview, info sharing, emotional support, and anti-stress techniques.

What are the goals of stress inoculation?

Reduced anxiety, improved recovery, fewer medications, and better cooperation.

What should be assessed before informing the patient about procedures?

Psychophysiological state, mental state, and environment.

What are key psychological problems in intensive care?

Delirium, disorientation, anxiety, anger, and use of denial.

What support is recommended in intensive care?

Anxiolytics, emotional support, frequent staff visits, and rehab programs.

What psychological effects are common in respiratory care?

Inability to communicate, anxiety, depression, and dependency on devices.

What are symptoms in patients with burns?

Delirium, hallucinations, disorientation, pain, and depression.

Which children are most vulnerable to hospital-related stress?

Children aged 6 months to 4 years, especially with traumatic separations.

What is 'hospitalism'?

Psychological and physical disorders from prolonged institutionalization.

What is Bowlby’s attachment theory?

Children seek care from the mother as a survival system activated after birth.

What is 'deattachment' in early deprivation?

Three stages: protest, despair, and detachment due to separation.

What are symptoms of hospitalism in children?

Crying, apathy, motor restlessness, delayed development, poor health.

What are psychological consequences of mother-child separation?

Behavioral disorders, neurotic symptoms, and psychosomatic issues.

What are types of pain?

Mental, physical, psychogenic, somatic, acute, and chronic.

What is somatic pain?

A warning signal of tissue damage or dysfunction, motivating recovery.

What is psychogenic pain?

Pain without organic damage, caused by psychological stress.

What is causalgia?

Burning pain from nerve injury, lasting months, triggered by light touch.

What is phantom pain?

Pain in an amputated limb, felt as real despite absence of the body part.

What is the central explanation for phantom pain?

Brain retains representation of lost body parts in the somatosensory cortex.

What is the peripheral explanation for phantom pain?

Increased nerve sensitivity or irritation at the amputation site.

What is the psychological explanation for phantom pain?

Hypnotic suggestion, emotional factors, and denial.

What is the theory of specific nociceptors?

Pain is transmitted via specific receptors connected to the brain.

What is the summation and coding theory of pain?

Pain results from intense nerve impulses that exceed a threshold.

What is the gate-control theory by Melzack and Wall?

A spinal cord mechanism that enhances or blocks pain impulses.

What affects the 'gate' in gate-control theory?

Physical injury, emotional state, and behavioral focus.

What closes the 'gate' in pain perception?

Medication, positive mood, and cognitive-behavioral techniques.

How do psychological factors affect pain?

They can increase, reduce, or even cause pain.

What is the 'pain puzzle' by Melzack?

Pain perception is shaped by context, emotion, and cognition.

Which psychological traits affect pain tolerance?

Extroversion and attention redirection reduce pain perception.

What are psychological strategies for managing pain?

Psychotherapy, placebo, relaxation, biofeedback, CBT, and hypnosis.

What is hypnosis in pain management?

A relaxed, suggestible state used to reduce pain perception.

How does hypnosis reduce pain?

Activates the frontal-limbic system to inhibit pain signal transmission.