General health in people with mental illness

Question 1

Are those with physical illness more or less likely to develop mental illness than those without a physical illness?

Answer 1

• more likely

Question 2

Can psychological problems accentuate or improve a patients physical health problems?

Answer 2

• accentuate

Question 3

What % of patients who present to their GP have some form of mental disorder, even if that is not the problem they are presenting with?

1 - 4%
2 - 14%
3 - 28%
4 - 40%

Answer 3

4 - 40%

Question 4

What % of patients on general hospital ward have some form of mental illness?

1 - 5%
2 - 14%
3 - 25%
4 - 45%

Answer 4

4 - 45%

Question 5

What % of people attending A&E is due to mental illness?

1 - 0.5%
2 - 5%
3 - 25%
4 - 50%

Answer 5

2 - 5%
- although 25% will already have a mental illness, but be there for something else

Question 6

Is hyperthyroidism more likely to cause anxiety or depression?

Answer 6

• anxiety
• clear link between physical and psychological health

Question 7

Is hypothyroidism more likely to cause anxiety or depression?

Answer 7

• depression
• clear link between physical and psychological health

Question 8

Which of the following medications does NOT typically increase the risk of depression?

1 - antihypertensives (inc. beta blockers and ca channel blockers)
2 - interferon
3 - NSAIDs
4 - L-Dopa
5 - Corticosteroids (e.g. prednisolone, can also cause mania)
6 - Roaccutane (isotretinoin)
7 Combined oral contraceptive pill

Answer 8

4 - L-Dopa
- typically leads to psychosis

Question 9

Which of the following medications does NOT typically increase the risk of psychosis?

1 - NSAIDs
2 - L-Dopa
3 - Corticosteroids (e.g. prednisolone, can also cause mania)
4 - Dexamphetamine

Answer 9

1 - NSAIDs

• L-Dopa - increased dopamine

Question 10

Do patients with severe mental illness have a higher or lower life expectancy?

Answer 10

• lower
• aprox 10-25 years

Question 11

Patients with severe mental illness have an increased risk of developing which of the following?

1 - diabetes
2 - obesity
3 - CVD
4 - all of the above

Answer 11

4 - all of the above

• there are typically lots of modifiable risk factors such as alcohol, smoking, inactivity

Question 12

What is the psychiatry liaison team?

1 - team that provides mental health care in psychiatric hospitals
2 - team that provides mental health care in patients homes
3 - team that provides mental health care in hospitals
4 - all of the above

Answer 12

3 - team that provides mental health care in hospitals
- this is typically what happens, but may provide care in the community as well