Common Psychiatric Disorders

Psychotic (Schizophrenia)

■ Characteristics: Delusions, hallucinations, impaired reality, disordered thinking, ambivalence, autistic thinking, disorganized verbalizations, flat or blunted affect.
■ Subdivided into: Paranoid, catatonic, undifferentiated, and disorganized.
■ Common Treatments and Medications: Chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal).

Mood (Mania/Depression)

■ Characteristics: Manic Phase: Hyperactivity, euphoria, flamboyance, flight of ideas, sexual acting out, dehydration, delusions of grandeur, hostility and aggression; Depressive Phase: Loss of ambition, lack of interest, low self-esteem, boredom, sadness, high suicide risk.
■ Common Treatments: Mania: Lithium (Lithotabs; toxic: 1.5 mEq/L);
Depression: Amitriptyline (Elavil, doxepin (Sinequan), sertraline (Zoloft), imipramine (Tofranil), fluoxetine (Prozac), phenelzine (Nardil).

Anxiety: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

■ Characteristics: Uncontrolled, recurrent thoughts; ritualistic behavior that serves to reduce tension from obsessive thoughts.
■ Common Treatments: Clomipramine (Anafranil).

Personality (Borderline Personality)

■ Characteristics: Impulsivity, unpredictability, behavior problems, difficulty interacting, marked mood shifts, predisposition to self-harm, uncertainty about self-image, gender identity, values, splitting.
■ Common Treatments: Protect from self-mutilation and suicidal gestures, set limits, use calm approach, teach relaxation techniques and cognitivebehavioral therapy.

Somatoform (Hypochondriasis)

■ Characteristics: Unrealistic belief of having a serious illness regardless of medical reassurance; preoccupation with bodily functions that are misinterpreted; history of seeing many doctors with numerous diagnostic tests; dependent behavior; focus is anxiety, not perceived symptom.
■ Common Treatments: Use diversionary activities, limit interactions, provide correct information about etiology of perceived symptoms and cognitive-behavioral therapy.