Affective Flashcards
What are 3 core depression symptoms
Low mood
Low energy
Loss of interest
Depression symptoms according to ICD-10
Low mood
Low energy
Decrease in activity (loss of focus/interest)
Sleep disturbed
Appetite loss
Agitation
Loss of libido
Psychomotor retardation
When would you urgently refer someone to specialist mental health symptoms with depression
Evidence of psychosis
Severe depression where risk of self harm, harm to others or neglect
What is seasonal affective disorder
Episodes of depression which recur annually at the same time
What are chronic depressive symptoms
Symptoms which meet criteria for at least 2 years
What to do if new episode of less severe depression
Determine if wants treatment or if symptoms impriving
If does not want treatment or symptoms improving
- offer active monitoring with option to consider treatment
- ensure adequate social support
If wants treatment
- do not routinely offer antidepressant but if patient wants you can
- consider first line options such as CBT, group mindfulness etc
What to do if new episode of more severe depression
Talk through options
- can start SSRIs if wants
- talk through options such as CBT etc
- discuss with DVLA if needed
When need to talk to DVLA in depression
Agitation
Suicidal thoughts
Lack of concentration/focus
First line medications for depression in less severe depression versus more severe depression
Less severe
- SSRI
More severe
- SSRI or SNRI
What does less severe versus more severe depression encompass
Less severe- subclinial or mild. PHQ under 16
More severe- moderate or severe PHQ over 16
What are examples of SSRIs
Citalopram
Fluoxetine
Sertraline
Paroxetine
Side effects of SSRis
GI- nausea, weight loss, diarrhoea
Sexual- loss of libido, delayed orgasm
Headache
Sleep disturbance- vivid dreams
Hyponatraemia
How long do antidepressants take to work
2-6 weeks
What are the classes of antidepressants and what do they target
SSRI- presynaptic serotonin uptake channel
TCA- blockade of noradrenaline, serotonin and to lesser extent dopamine reuptake channels- also blocks muscarinic and histaminergic
MOA- non selective and irreversible inhibition of MOA A and B
SNRI- presynaptic blockade of both noradrenaline and serotonin (high doses dopamine)
NaSSA- blocks alpha 2 which increases noradrenaline and seorotonin
Examples of TCA
Amitryptiline
Clomipramine
Lofepramine
Side effects of TCA
Anti-muscarinic- dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and urinary retention
Anti-histaminergic- postural hypotension, sedation, weight gain
When should TCAs be avoided
Suicide risk
How does overdose of TCA present
Cardiotoxic
- hypotension
- tachycardia
- prolonged QRS
Resp failure
Seizures
What must be done when prescribing MOAi
Wait 1 week to finish other antidepressants
Can not prescribe other antidepressants for another 2 weeks
Must carry card saying they are taking one
Education about foods to avoid
Examples of MOAi
Phenelzine
Moclobemide- reversible and modern
SEs of MOAis
Postural hypotension
Increased appetite
Hepatotoxicity
SNS crisis from interaction with tyramine which can lead to intracerebral bleed
Serotonin syndrome
What happens in serotonin syndrome- triad
Physiologically too much serotonin in synapses in brain
Autonomic dysfunction- tachycardia, HTN, diaphoresis, mydriasis
Altered mental state- agitation, confusion
NMJ hyperactivity- tremor, hyperreflexia, myoclonus
Example of SNRI
Venlafaxine
SEs of SNRI
Constipation
Nausea
Headache
Dizziness
Sleep disturbance
Hypertension