PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 552 EXAM
2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Amygdala function - Correct Answers -Responsible for the response and memory of
emotions, especially fear
common finding on imaging for pts with anxiety - Correct Answers -hyperactive and
enlarged amygdalas
PTSD - Correct Answers -A disorder in which a person has lingering memories,
nightmares, and other symptoms for weeks after a severely threatening, uncontrollable
event
Treatment of PTSD - Correct Answers -CBT and SSRIs
effects of serotonin on the body - Correct Answers -mood, sleep, appetite regulation
treatment for acute attack of anxiety/panic - Correct Answers -benzos
dissociation - Correct Answers -loss of memory, identity, or ones sense of self
self - Correct Answers -unique identity- one that is comprised of an individuals thoughts
behaviors and feelings and memory
Types of Dissociative Disorders - Correct Answers -dissociative identity disorder,
dissociative amnesia, depersonalization/derealization disorder, dissociative fugue
onset of dissociative disorder/episode - Correct Answers -usually precipitated by a
stressful life event or personal problem, frequently associated with childhood abuse,
acute adult trauma, substance abuse and major mood disorders
, dissociative amnesia - Correct Answers -potentially reversible memory impairment that
primarily affects autobiographical information- not ordinary forgetfulness- pt is aware of
memory issue but not bothered by it
types of memory - Correct Answers -autobiographical memory, semantic memory and
episodic memory
autobiographical memory - Correct Answers -the memory for events and facts related to
one's personal life story
semantic memory - Correct Answers -memory of objects, facts, and concepts, including
words and their meanings, such as learning the skill of reading
episodic memory - Correct Answers -the collection of past personal experiences that
occurred at a particular time and place
procedural memory - Correct Answers -the gradual acquisition of skills as a result of
practice, or "knowing how" to do things
epidemiology of dissociative amnesia - Correct Answers -about 10%, females more
than males, most common type of dissociative disorder, increased incidence with
comorbid major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, younger adults more than
older adults
triggers of dissociative amnesia - Correct Answers -environmental-trauma,
neurobiological-temporal/hippocampal and occipital lobe areas
Prazosin - Correct Answers -alpha 1 antagonist,
treatment for ptsd related nightmares or disturbed arousals - Correct Answers -a trial of
prazosin
rationale for prazosin - Correct Answers -crosses blood brain barrier, nonsedating
agent, nonadrenergic, alpha 1 blocker
cataplexy - Correct Answers -A sudden loss of voluntary muscle strength and control
that is usually triggered by an intense emotion or laughter.
fragmented sleep - Correct Answers -Frequent arousals or actual awakenings that
interrupt sleep continuity
hipnogogic stage - Correct Answers -very vivid dream like hallucinations just as you drift
off or wake up
sleep paralysis - Correct Answers -the experience of waking up unable to move
2 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Amygdala function - Correct Answers -Responsible for the response and memory of
emotions, especially fear
common finding on imaging for pts with anxiety - Correct Answers -hyperactive and
enlarged amygdalas
PTSD - Correct Answers -A disorder in which a person has lingering memories,
nightmares, and other symptoms for weeks after a severely threatening, uncontrollable
event
Treatment of PTSD - Correct Answers -CBT and SSRIs
effects of serotonin on the body - Correct Answers -mood, sleep, appetite regulation
treatment for acute attack of anxiety/panic - Correct Answers -benzos
dissociation - Correct Answers -loss of memory, identity, or ones sense of self
self - Correct Answers -unique identity- one that is comprised of an individuals thoughts
behaviors and feelings and memory
Types of Dissociative Disorders - Correct Answers -dissociative identity disorder,
dissociative amnesia, depersonalization/derealization disorder, dissociative fugue
onset of dissociative disorder/episode - Correct Answers -usually precipitated by a
stressful life event or personal problem, frequently associated with childhood abuse,
acute adult trauma, substance abuse and major mood disorders
, dissociative amnesia - Correct Answers -potentially reversible memory impairment that
primarily affects autobiographical information- not ordinary forgetfulness- pt is aware of
memory issue but not bothered by it
types of memory - Correct Answers -autobiographical memory, semantic memory and
episodic memory
autobiographical memory - Correct Answers -the memory for events and facts related to
one's personal life story
semantic memory - Correct Answers -memory of objects, facts, and concepts, including
words and their meanings, such as learning the skill of reading
episodic memory - Correct Answers -the collection of past personal experiences that
occurred at a particular time and place
procedural memory - Correct Answers -the gradual acquisition of skills as a result of
practice, or "knowing how" to do things
epidemiology of dissociative amnesia - Correct Answers -about 10%, females more
than males, most common type of dissociative disorder, increased incidence with
comorbid major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, younger adults more than
older adults
triggers of dissociative amnesia - Correct Answers -environmental-trauma,
neurobiological-temporal/hippocampal and occipital lobe areas
Prazosin - Correct Answers -alpha 1 antagonist,
treatment for ptsd related nightmares or disturbed arousals - Correct Answers -a trial of
prazosin
rationale for prazosin - Correct Answers -crosses blood brain barrier, nonsedating
agent, nonadrenergic, alpha 1 blocker
cataplexy - Correct Answers -A sudden loss of voluntary muscle strength and control
that is usually triggered by an intense emotion or laughter.
fragmented sleep - Correct Answers -Frequent arousals or actual awakenings that
interrupt sleep continuity
hipnogogic stage - Correct Answers -very vivid dream like hallucinations just as you drift
off or wake up
sleep paralysis - Correct Answers -the experience of waking up unable to move
