Dr. Fahad Al-Wahhabi MBBS, FRCPC Psychopathology (Signs & Symptoms in Psychiatry)

Definition Psychopathology refers to problematic patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior: –Disrupted functioning at home, work, and in the person’s social life –Patterns that cause distress in the person or in others –Psychopathology literally means sickness of the mind Psychopathology varies between and within cultures

Introduction Most exist on a spectrum/continuum Diagnosis is made on patterns not on single sx To elicit is to be skillful

Clusters of symptoms Psychiatric problems are classified based on signs and symptoms into disorders: –Signs are observable phenomena (hallucinations) –Symptoms are reports from patients (feeling anxious)

Categories of psychopathology Behavior & movement Emotions Speech Thinking Perception Awareness of self and others Cognition Judgment Insight Biological rhythms

Abnormalities of behavior and movement Slow Retarded Normal Hyperactive Agitated

Abnormalities of Cognition Attention Memory DistractibilityHypervigilance AmnesiaHyperamnesia

Abnormalities of speech MutePressured speech Normal

Abnormalities of mood and emotions Very depressed Elated Fearless Very Fearful Relaxed Anxious, irritable

Abnormalities of thought Process Content Organized Preoccupied, Worries, Overvalued ideas, Delusions, Flight of ideas Loose association

Abnormalities of perception Illusions Hallucinations

Abnormalities of awareness of self and others Depersonalization Derealization

Abnormalities of insight Degree of awareness of current situation e.g. being mentally ill. No insightGood insight

Abnormalities of judgment Ability to understand, appreciate a situation and act based on knowledge of risks and benefits. Poor judgment Good judgment

Abnormalities of biological rhythms Sleep Appetite InsomniaHypersomnia Anorexia Hyperphagia

Clinical Description (brief discription) 1.Begins with the Presenting Problem 2.Description Aims to –Distinguish clinically significant dysfunction from common human experience 3.Describe Onset 4.Describe Course 5.Associated symptoms

How is psychopathology summarized? Depressive sx Psychotic sx Anxiety sx Dissociative sx Cognitive sx Substance abuse sx Somatoform sx Personality sx