[20] Adjustment Disorders Flashcards

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1
Q

What are adjustment disorders?

A

Adjustment disorders are stress related conditions, where a patient experiences more stress than would normally be expected in response to a stressful or unexpected event, and the stress causes significant problems with social functioning.

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2
Q

What causes adjustment disorders?

A

Stressful life events, both positive and negative, may cause an adjustment disorder

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3
Q

Give some examples of stressful life events that might cause an adjustment disorder

A
  • Divorce or marital problems
  • Relationship or interpersonal problems
  • Changes in situation, such as retirement, having a baby, or changing school
  • Loss of job
  • Loss of loved one
  • Ongoing stressors, such as medical illness
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4
Q

How are previous life events important in the aetiology of adjustment disorders? af

A

They affect how a person deals with stress, and some may increase the risk of development of an adjustment disorder

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5
Q

What previous life events may increase the risk of the development of an adjustment disorder?

A
  • Significant stress experienced in childhood
  • Other mental health problems
  • A number of difficult life circumstances
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6
Q

What are the symptoms of adjustment disorders?

A

Symptoms are variable, but can be of the types found within affective disorders or neurotic disorders (but not severe enough to be classified as a specific psychiatric disorder). Examples include;

  • Low mood
  • Anhedonia
  • Frequent crying
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Lack of appetite
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Difficulty functioning in daily activities
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviour
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7
Q

Describe the timeline of symptoms of adjustment disorders

A

Symptoms start within a month of the stressful event, and last no longer than 6 months after the event

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8
Q

How are adjustment disorders investigated?

A
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9
Q

What is the main goal of treatment of adjustment disorders?

A

To relieve symptoms and help the patient return to a similar level of functioning as before the stressful event occured

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10
Q

What is the mainstay treatment of adjustment disorder?

A

CBT

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11
Q

Other than CBT, what treatment options are available in adjustment disorders?

A
  • Long-term therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Self-help groups
  • Medications
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12
Q

What medications are used in adjustment disorder?

A
  • Anxiolytic medications
  • Sleeping tablets (hypnotics)
  • Antidepressants
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13
Q

Describe the use of medication in adjustment disorders

A

They are only used alongside talking therapies

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14
Q

What are the groups of hypnotics?

A
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Nonbenzodiazepines
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15
Q

Give 3 examples of benzodiazepine hypnotics

A
  • Temazepam
  • Lormatezepam
  • Nitrazepam
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16
Q

Give 2 examples of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics

A
  • Zopiclone
  • Zolpidem
17
Q

How do benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics differ?

A

They act in a very similar way, but are structurally different. Practically, there is not much difference between the two groups

18
Q

What group of hypnotics is usually favoured?

A

Non-benzodiazepines

19
Q

What are the problems with hypnotics?

A

There is significant potential for misuse, dependence, and rebound insomnia

20
Q

How is the potential for dependance to hypnotics reduced?

A

They should only be used for 2 weeks, and taken for only 5 days in a week to reduce the potential for tolerance