CAMHS Flashcards

1
Q

Core symptoms of depression.

A
  • low mood
  • anhedonia
  • low energy

Lasting for >3 weeks

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Symptoms of depression in children and adolescents.

A

Core symptoms and:
- anxiety
- clinginess
- irritability
- avoiding social situations
- hopelessness
- poor sleep
- poor appetite
- poor concentration
- abdominal pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Management of depression in children and adolescents.

A

Referral to CAMHS:
- full assessment to establish diagnosis
- CBT
- fluoxetine first line
- intensive psychological therapy

Admission may be required where there is high risk of self-harm, suicide or self-neglect.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How is anxiety assessed in children and adolescents?

A
  • GAD-7 questionnaire
  • assess for comorbid mental health conditions (e.g. depression, OCD)
  • assess for environmental triggers and contributors
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Management of GAD in children and adolescents.

A

Referral to CAMHS
- counselling
- cognitive behavioural therapy
- sertraline

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Self-help advice for depression and anxiety.

A
  • balanced diet
  • increase physical activity
  • avoid alcohol, caffeine and drugs
  • sleep hygiene
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are obsessions?

A

Unwanted and uncontrolled thoughts and intrusive images that the person finds very difficult to ignore.

Examples include overwhelming fear of contamination with dirt or germs, or explicit images that keep appearing in their mind.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are compulsions?

A

Repetitive actions the person feels they must do, generating anxiety if they are not done. They are often a way for the person to handle the obsessions.

Examples include checking all electrical equipment is turned off to settle the obsession about the house burning down.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Associations of OCD.

A

Strongly related to other mental health issues:
- anxiety
- depression
- eating disorders
- autistic spectrum disorder
- phobias

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Management of OCD in children and adolescents.

A

Referral to CAMHS:
- patient and carer education
- cognitive behavioural therapy
- exposure response therapy
- SSRI medications

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)?

A

Disorder characterised by a deficit in:
- social interaction
- communication
- flexible behaviour

The autistic spectrum has a significant range.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Features of ASD (social interaction).

A
  • lack of eye contact
  • delay in smiling
  • avoids physical contact
  • unable to read non-verbal cues
  • difficulty establishing friendships
  • not displaying a desire to share attention (i.e. not playing with others)

Features are usually observable before the age of 3 years.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Features of ASD (communication).

A
  • delay, absence or regression in language development
  • lack of appropriate non-verbal communication (e.g. smiling, eye-contact)
  • difficulty with imaginative or imitative behaviour
  • repetitive words or phrases

Features are usually observable before the age of 3 years.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Features of ASD (flexible behaviour).

A
  • greater interest in objects, numbers or patterns
  • stereotypical repetitive movements (hand-flapping, rocking)
  • intensive and deep interests that are persistent and rigid
  • repetitive behaviours
  • anxiety and distress with experiences outside their normal routine
  • restricted food preferences

Features are usually observable before the age of 3 years.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

How is ASD diagnosed?

A

Diagnosis should be made by a specialist in autism:
- paediatric psychiatrist
- paediatrician

A diagnosis can be made before the age of 3 years; involving a detailed history and assessment of the child’s behaviour and communication.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Management of ASD.

A

Management involving MDT:
- CAMHS
- SALT
- dieticians
- paediatricians
- social workers
- SEND (ie. school)
- charities (e.g. National Autistic Society)

17
Q

What are the features of ADHD?

A

Features consistent across various settings:
- short attention span
- quickly moving from one activity to another
- quickly losing interest in a task
- constantly moving or fidgeting
- impulsive behaviour
- disruptive or rule breaking

18
Q

Management of ADHD.

A

Biological:
- methylphenidate
- dexamfetamine
- atomoxetine

Psychological:
- SEND support in school
- psychological support

Social:
- parent education
- healthy diet (dietician input)
- exercise

19
Q

What are the features of anorexia nervosa?

A

Person feels overweight despite evidence of normal or low body weight.

Involves obsessively restricting calorie intake with the intention of losing weight.

20
Q

Signs of anorexia nervosa.

A
  • excessive weight loss
  • amenorrhoea
  • Lanugo hair
  • hypokalaemia
  • hypotension
  • hypothermia
  • solitude
21
Q

Complications of anorexia nervosa.

A

Cardiac complications:
- arrhythmia
- cardiac atrophy
- sudden cardiac death

22
Q

Features of Bulimia nervosa.

A

Normal body weight that fluctuates, due to binge eating followed by ‘purging’ (e.g. vomiting, taking laxatives).

23
Q

Signs of bulimia nervosa.

A
  • hypochloraemic metabolic alkalosis
  • hypokalaemia
  • erosion of teeth
  • swollen salivary glands
  • mouth ulcers
  • GOR
  • Russel’s sign
24
Q

Features of binge eating disorder.

A

Episodes where the personal excessively overeats, but does not purge.

Patients are likely to be overweight.

25
Q

Management of eating disorders in children and adolescents.

A
  • self help resources
  • counselling
  • CBT
  • addressing other areas of life, such as relationships and past experiences
  • admission
  • SSRI medication
26
Q

Biochemical findings consistent with refeeding syndrome.

A
  • hypomagnesaemia
  • hypokalaemia
  • hypophosphataemia
27
Q

Complications of refeeding syndrome.

A
  • cardiac arrhythmias
  • heart failure
  • fluid overload
28
Q

Management of refeeding syndrome.

A
  • slow reintroduction of food
  • Mg, K, PO3, glucose monitoring
  • fluid balance monitoring
  • ECG monitoring
  • supplementation with electrolytes and vitamins
29
Q

What are the features of Tourette’s syndrome.

A

Development of tics that are persistent for over a year, being involuntary movements or sounds that are performed repetitively.

The tics become more prominent when the person is under pressure or excited.

30
Q

What are premonitory sensations?

A

Individual describes an overwhelming urge to perform the tic, which increases the more they try to suppress it.

They feel the need to complete the tic to get relief from the urge.

31
Q

Examples of simple tics.

A
  • clearing throat
  • blinking
  • head jerking
  • sniffing
  • grunting
  • eye rolling
32
Q

Examples of complex tics.

A
  • physical movements (e.g. twirling on the sport)
  • obscene gestures
  • obscene words
  • repeating others’ words
33
Q

Management of Tourette’s.

A

Tics will usually improve over time, and measures should be taken to reduce stress, anxiety and triggers.

Specialist input:
- habit reversal training
- exposure with response prevention
- medications (antipsychotics)