Signs and Symptoms of Psychiatric

Disorders

LECTURE NO. 6

Learning Objectives

Describe the symptoms of common psychiatric disorders

Elicit and discuss various signs of psychiatric disorders

Introduction

Symptoms are the complaints with which a patient presents to the clinician.

Signs are the ones which the clinician obtains on examination of the patient.

In psychiatry, the boundary between symptoms and signs is not that distinct because when explored further, a symptom can become a sign.

Common Psychiatric Disorders

Anxiety

Depression

Mania

Schizophrenia

Anxiety

One of the most commonly experienced emotions and disorders

Often experienced as excessive worrying about almost everything, tension and fear of the unknown

Anxiety (cont.)

Various disorders categorized under anxiety disorders include:

– Generalized anxiety disorder

– Panic disorder

– Obsessive–compulsive disorder

– Phobias

– Post-traumatic stress disorder

Common Symptoms of Anxiety

Feelings of fear or dread

Increased heart rate

Palpitations

Sweating

Cold and clammy hands and feet

Dryness of mouth and throat

Difficulty in talking and breathing

Light headedness or giddiness

Tremors of hands

Restlessness

Common Symptoms of Anxiety (cont.)

Depression

Major depressive disorder is most closely associated with persistent sadness.

The most prominent symptom is depressed mood which is clearly different from sadness due to day-to-day events.

Common Symptoms of Depression

Persistent sadness

Poor concentration

Feelings of worthlessness

Easy crying

Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness

Suicidal ideas

Poor appetite and sleep

Lack of energy

Decreased socialization

Easy irritability

Inability to experience pleasure

Decreased interest in work and surroundings

Common Symptoms of Depression (cont.)

Mania

Characterized by the sustained elevation of mood, i.e. marked happiness or at times irritability

Common Symptoms of Mania

Persistent and undue happiness(at times marked irritability)

Increased self-esteem

Over-activity

Increased and rapid speech

Making big plans

Spending money unnecessarily

Poor self-control

Increased socialization

Decreased need for sleep

Common Symptoms of Mania (cont.)

Schizophrenia

Considered as one of the major psychiatric disorders

Characterized by the presence of psychotic symptoms, which include:

– Disturbances of thought process (delusions, derailment, illogicality)

– Disturbances of perception (sensory hallucinations)

Common Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Inappropriate affect

Talking to self

Neglect of personal hygiene and work

Hearing voices

Suspiciousness

Decreased socialization

Unusual and illogical thoughts

Aggressive behaviour

Lack of interest in surroundings and activities

Common Symptoms of Schizophrenia (cont.)

Common Signs of Psychiatric Disorders

Categorized into four types:

1. Disorders of motor activity (conation)

2. Disorders of emotion

3. Disorders of thought process

4. Disorders of perception

1. Disorders of Motor Activity (Conation)

Commonly seen motor disorders include:

Hyperactivity

Mannerisms

Stereotypies

Tics

Psychomotor agitation

Psychomotor retardation

Catatonic symptoms, i.e. stupor, muteness, posturing, waxy flexibility, echopraxia, echolalia, ambitendency and negativism

1. Disorders of Motor Activity (Conation) (cont.)

2. Disorders of Emotion

Two types:

– Disorders of mood: euthymic, dysphoric, irritable, euphoric, expansive, elated, exaltation, ecstasy, depression, anxiety and apathy

– Disorders of affect: inappropriate, labile, emotional incontinence, blunted and flat

3. Disorders of Thought Process

Various disorders of thought process can be categorized under:

– Disorders of form

– Disorders of stream

– Disorders of content

– Disorders of possession

4. Disorders of Perception

Include illusions and hallucinations

Illusions: false sensory distortion of a real sensory stimulus.

Hallucinations: false sensory perception without adequate stimulus.

Depending upon the sensory organ involved, hallucinations can be auditory, visual, tactile, gustatory or olfactory.