Core symptoms of PTSD Must a person be directly exposed to trauma to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? What are the core symptoms of PTSD? No, PTSD may develop following direct or indirect (e.g., witnessing or learning about trauma done to others) exposure to traumatic events, defined in the DSM-5 as “actual or threatened death, …
Pathophysiology of OCD What is the basic pathophysiology (neurologic basis) of OCD? The perseveration of motor and/or thought processes in OCD is thought to be mediated by overactive, inadequately inhibited, cortical–subcortical (basal ganglia including caudate) circuits. Specifically, in OCD, the caudate nucleus, as well as the medial and orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex, and to …
What are some medical causes of panic symptoms? Panic disorder is highly comorbid with psychiatric and medical disorders, and some disorders can directly mimic the symptoms of severe anxiety or a panic attack. These medical panic mimics include hyperthyroidism, pulmonary embolism, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnea (mimic of nocturnal panic), arrhythmias and …
Role of psychotherapy in anxiety disorders What role does psychotherapy have in the treatment of anxiety disorders? Name and briefly describe some cognitive–behavioral interventions for anxiety disorders. Psychotherapies, of which CBT is best supported by evidence, are the mainstay of treatment of anxiety disorders, with pharmacotherapies serving mostly as augmentative therapy. Psychoeducation—pathophysiology education and building …
What group of mental health disorders are the most common in the United States? In the United States, the most common mental health disorders are the anxiety disorders (including phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and others), with 12-month and lifetime prevalence of about one in five and one in three, respectively. (Major depressive disorder …
Besides mood disorders for what other disorders is Electroconvulsive therapy effective? Schizophrenia (especially when catatonic features or affective symptoms are present), schizoaffective disorder, catatonia in other settings (including NMS), refractory Parkinson’s disease (reduces motor symptoms; especially if “on/off” phenomenon is present), intractable epilepsy (especially when mood disorders, which are highly comorbid with Parkinson’s disease and …
Besides mood disorders for what other disorders is Electroconvulsive therapy effective Read More »
What are the Contraindications of Electroconvulsive therapy? There are no absolute contraindications for Electroconvulsive therapy. Relative contraindications include increased intracranial pressure (mass effect), recent intracranial hemorrhage, thromboembolic stroke, or myocardial infarction, unstable angina, heart failure, or vertebral fracture. Electroconvulsive therapy is safe in pregnancy and may be preferred to pharmacotherapy in this setting. Electroconvulsive therapy …