Bipolar Flashcards
1
Q
Why is it so hard to dx bipolar disorder?
A
- because it often gets misdx as depression - pt isn’t going to come in while in manic state b/c they feel great
2
Q
What are good labs to order if a person comes in with a suspected bipolar/depressive disorder to rule out other things?
A
- tox screen
- TFTs
- RPR
- CMP
- CBC
3
Q
What are key psychiatric terms to describe a possible hypomanic bipolar pt’s behavior?
A
comes in and says:
- I have been up all night working - she has had a decreased need for sleep
- talking about her superiority to others in her program (grandiosity or inflated self esteem)
- markedly more active in her grad school research - increase in goal directed activity
- thought processes jump from 1 idea to another - flight of ideas
4
Q
Key psychiatric terms to describe a possible manic bipolar pt’s behavior?
A
- Thinks he is greates thinker in the history of humanity - grandiosity or inflated self esteem
- speech is rapid and pressured, tangenital speech
- decreased need for sleep
- exceeded his limit after charging several thousand dollars - injudicious impulsive behavior
- police brought the person to the hospital
5
Q
Main characteristics of hypomania?
A
- briefer duration (at least 4 days) of manic sxs, and often used to refer to a less severe level of sxs
- psychosis doesn’t occur with hypomania**
- causes only mild fxnl impairment and can even improve fxning
- Doesn’t lead to hospitalization
6
Q
Main characteristics of mania?
A
- longer duration (at least 1 week) and more severe sxs
- psychosis can occur (doesn’t have to though)
- sig. impairment in fxning
- often leads to hospitalization
7
Q
2 subtypes of bipolar?
A
bipolar 1:
- hx of at least 1 manic episode, with or w/o past major depressive episodes
- although not reqd for dx, depression is present more commonly than mania for most pts
bipolar 2:
- hx of at least 1 episode of major depression
- hx of at least one hypomanic episode
- no hx of manic episode
8
Q
DSM-5 manic episode?
A
- distinct period of abnormally and persistently elev, expansive, or irritable mood, lasting at least 1 week
- during period of mood disturbances - 3 or more of following sxs persisted and have been present to a sig degree:
- grandiosity
- decreased need for sleep
- more talkative, pressured speaking
- flight of ideas
- distractibility
- increase in goal oriented activity
- excessive involvement in pleasurable activities - painful consequences - buying sprees, sex
- mood distrurbance is severe to caused marked impairment in occupational fxning, social activities
- hospitalization
- has psychotic features
- sxs not due to effects of substance or medical conditions (hyperthyroidism)
9
Q
hypomanic episode DSM-5?
A
- distinct period of abnorm and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood and abnormally and persistently increased energy, lasting at least 4 consecutive days
- during this period - present with 3 or more of the following sxs:
grandiosity
decreased need for sleep
more talking, pressured speech
distractability
increase in goal directed activity
excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with high potential for painful consequences - uncharacteristic of the pt
- sxs observed by others
- **not severe enough to cause marked impairment in social or occupational fxning to necessitate hospitalization
10
Q
epidemiology of bipolar?
A
- lifetime prevalence traditionally est as about 1%
- more recently, spectrum of bipolar conditions est to have higher prevalence (better screening?)
- WHO ID bipolar as 6th leading cause of disability adjusted life years worldwide among people 15-44
- bipolar 1 affects men and women equally
- II is more common in women
- age of onset - generally 15-30
11
Q
Is genetics a factor in bipolar disorder?
A
- monozygotic twin: 40-70%
- 1st degree relative: 5-10%
- unrelated person - 0.5-1.5%
- suspicion should increase when there is positive famiyl hx
- no single gene has been ID’d
- likely a complex interaction b/t genetic and enviro factors is involved
- some studies have suggested role for tryptophan hydroxylase 2, which is a rate limiting enzyme in synthetic pathway of serotonin
12
Q
Clinical course of bipolar I?
A
- marked by relapse and remissions
- often alternating pattern b/t manic and depressive episodes
- 90% who have 1 manic episode have another in 5 years
- 90% with bipolar have at least 1 psychiatric hospitalization and majority have 2 or more
- depressive sxs are more frequent than manic sxs - 3:1 ratio
13
Q
clinical course of bipolar 2?
A
- course less studied, and less understood
- depressive sxs much more frequent than hypomanic episodes ( suggested to be 37:1)
- onset earlier age
- greater risk at attempting and committing suicide
14
Q
Comorbidities of bipolar disorder?
A
- high rates of comorbid alcohol or substance abuse
- lifetime risk for addictive disorder - 65%
- comorbid anxiety disorder is common
- b/t 25-50% attempt suicide, and 15% are successful (sig higher than those with depression)
15
Q
What does a mixed state refer to?
A
- presence of both depressive and manic sxs simultaneously
- person may experience impulsiveness, insomnia, irritability, and flight of ideas that can present in manic episode as well as suicidal thoughts, guilt, feelings of hopelessness, and changes in appetite that are common during depressive episodes
- mixed episodes are incredibly distressing to the individual, it can lead to panic attacks, substance abuse, and suicide
- it’s really difficult to tx
