Depression, Anxiety + ADHD Flashcards
Define Depression
Definition of clinical depression relies upon an understanding of what a normal response to a given situation should (culturally and sociologically) be
Depression and mania are affective disorders
What is affective disorder?
an objective description of a person’s emotional behaviour
Thus, affective disorders include illnesses with abnormally high or low mood , i.e. mania and depression.
How do we classify depression? (5)
Severity
Presence or absence of physical (somatic/biological) features.
Presence or absence of psychotic features.
Course (duration and recurrence).
Presence or absence of intervening manic phases.
What % of people suffer from depression? % of those who will develop chronic depression?
20-30% of people will experience a depressive episode at some point in their life.
Of these, ~20% will develop chronic depressive illness
What % of population have major depression?
~5% of the population
Which gender is more likely to suffer from depression?
Female
What are the aetiological factors of depression? (3)
- Biochemical:
Reserpine (anti-hypertensive) is a non-specific central amine depleter that causes depression - Psychiatric:
Thought to arise from unconscious mental conflicts
But, no objective evidence to support this
- Genes and environment:
Family history is common in depression
Unclear whether this has a genetic and/or environmental components
What is the biogenic amine theory/monoamine hypothesis?
Low level of monoamine function in brain = depressive symptoms
e.g serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline
What symptoms are generally expressed in MILD/MODERATE depression?
Labile mood Initial insomnia Ideas or acts of self-harm Reduced drive Withdrawal
What symptoms are generally expressed in SEVERE depression?
Agitation
Fixed Mood variation
Weight loss
Early waking
What symptoms are generally expressed in VERY SEVERE depression?
Guilty feelings Delusions of inadequacy Severe retardation Suicidal ideas Hallucinations
How is a diagnosis of depression made? (4)
Patient must exhibit low mood and at least four of the following: pessimism negative thoughts; weight change; sleep disorder; psychomotor agitation or retardation; fatigue; feelings of inadequacy or guilt; difficulty in concentrating; suicidal thoughts or actions
For at least 2 weeks
Not consistent with previous behaviour/personality
Not secondary to other treatment
Which scales are used to formalise the diagnosis of depression?
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale
Beck Depression Inventory
What are the 5 treatment aims of depression? In order of priority
- Prevent suicide
consider custody and compulsory treatment if suicide is a risk
Individual can be detained under the Mental Health Act, 1983 for up to 28 days - Identify possible primary causes, such as chronic or iatrogenic illness.
- Provide symptomatic therapy to relieve the patient’s misery.
- Investigate any adverse social, domestic or financial circumstances and provide support where possible.
- Initiate long-term therapy to prevent relapse or recurrence.
Name the 3 principal treatment types of depression?
- Physical (ECT, pharmacological etc.)
- Social
- Psychological
What criteria is used for determining the most appropriate treatment for depression?
Urgency Efficacy Prior history Presence of psychosis Contraindications/ADRs Cost
Describe the psychological treatments for depression?
Used for MILD DEPRESSION
Therapy types:
Group
Marital
Family
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be very successful
Unhelpful or negative ways of thinking can be countered by encouraging the patient to think constructively about his or her illness and plan strategies to overcome specific symptoms.
Psychoanalysis can be useful in neurotic depression.
Psychosocial treatment involves improving a patient’s social situation.
What is ECT? What does NICE say about it?
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) NICE guidance on ECT: “to be used short term in severe depression where other treatments have failed, especially where suicide is a serious risk”.
What are the 4 categories of pharmacological treatment for depression?
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
- Second generation cyclics (can be considered with TCAs)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
What distinguishing features are there between the drugs used for depression?
- Antimuscarinic, anti-adrenergic and antihistaminic activity (conferring adverse effects).
- Sedative action (not linked to any single transmitter).
- Cardiotoxic and/or convulsant action in overdose.
Why are MAOIs not used as frequently anymore? What is used instead?
poor side-effect profile and risk of life threatening side-effects with some foods
SSRIs and TCAs most commonly used
What are the concerns with the use of St Johns Wort?
OTC but unlicensed. Unknown mechanism
Induces drug metabolising enzymes, affecting levels of ciclosporin, warfarin, digoxin, oral contraceptives etc
What is the treatment strategy for depression?
1. Select suitable drug 2 weeks - escalation of dose (Dose escalation phase not necessary with SSRIs) 4-6 weeks - onset of action 1-3 months - Remission 4-6 months - Continuation 2-3 years Prophylaxis 4 weeks - Withdrawal
How would you treat resistant depression?
Switch to agent with different action
Combination therapy:
- Steroid augmentation
- SSRI+ Tricyclic / SSRI +Pinadolol / SSRI + Buspirone
- Cyclic + MAOI / High dose cyclic
- Lithium + Cyclic / Lithium + SSRI / Lithium + Cyclic + Tryptophan
- Levothyroxine augmentation