Depression Flashcards
What are the 3 core symptoms of depression?
Low mood
Anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure)
Low energy
What other symptoms might a depressed patient present with?
Reduced appetite
Difficulty sleeping
Feelings of guilt
Irritability
Difficulty concentrating
Reduced libido
Suicidal thoughts
As well as depressive symptoms, what other type of symptoms may a depressed patient present with?
Psychotic symptoms:
Delusions
Hallucinations
What are some examples of delusions?
“My body is rotting”
“I have committed a great crime and am being punished for it”
What are some examples of hallucinations?
Auditory - Hearing voices when there is nobody else around
Visual - Seeing things that are not physically present
Tactile - Feeling things crawling on their skin
Olfactory - smells
Gustatory - bad tastes
When a patient presents to you and you suspect depression, what other parts of their history are you going to inquire about?
PMH - any hypothyroidism or chronic illness/pain conditions
D&A’s - Beta-blockers can cause depression
PPH - Previous psychiatric admissions or suicide attempts
FH - Psychiatric disorders or suicides
SH - Drugs and alcohol, current home situation
Personal History - Adverse avents in childhood, family life, school life, occupation etc.
After taking a full history from a patient with suspected depression you decide to perform an MSE. What are the components of the MSE?
Appearance and behaviour
Speech
Mood
Thought disorders
Delusions of perception
Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming themselves or others
Cognitive function
Insight
What would be the typical results of an MSE in a depressed patient?
Appearance - may appear unkempt
Behaviour - lack of eye contact, slow movements
Mood - depressed mood
Thoughts - slowed, negative, guilty, suicidal
Perceptions - Auditory hallucinations if psychotic
Cognition - not usually affected
Insight - usually present
What are the treatment options for depression?
Antidepressants
CBT
IPT
ECT
Lifestyle modification
How long should antidepressant medication be continued for?
6-12 months
What are some of the complications of depression?
Suicide
Psychosis
Unemployment or problems at work
Family and relationship problems
Social isolation
