GP psychiatry Flashcards
what should you do if someone is not responding to their anti-depressant in 3-4 weeks
increase level of support
increase dose OR switch to another antidepressant
what are 2 questions asked to screen for depression
“During the last month, have you often been botheredby feeling down, depressed or hopeless?” (low mood)
“During the last month, have you been botheredby having little interest or pleasure in doing things?” (anedonia)
are antipsychotics offered for anxiety disorder in primary care
no
what is the first line treatment for social anxiety disorder
CBT
what should you do if you think someone is an immediate risk to themselves or others
refer urgently to specialist mental health services
what things are on the 2nd list of the DSM 5 criteria for depression
Significant weight loss or gain, or change in appetite.
Sleep difficulties (including hypersomnia).
Psychomotor agitation or retardation.
Fatigue.
Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt.
Reduced concentration or indecisiveness.
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal thoughts
what is the first line treatment for mild to moderate depression
SSRI
individual CBT, interpersonal therapy, behavioural activation
what is different about the symptoms of grief from depression
positive emotions still experienced
symptoms worse when thinking about decreased
want to be social (depression alone)
what is some advice give regarding sleep hygiene
Avoid stimulating activities before bed
Avoiding alcohol/caffeine/smoking before bed
Avoid heavy meals/ strenuous exercise before bed
Regular day time exercise
Same bedtime each day
Ensure bedroom environment promotes sleep
Relaxation
what is the difference between obsessions and compuslions
Obsessions: unwanted intrusive thoughts, images or urges. Tend to be repugnant and inconsistent with a person’s values.
Compulsions:repetitive behaviours or mental acts the person feels driven to perform. Can be overt (checking they locked the door) or covert (mentally repeating a phrase in their head).
what are treatment options for grief
¥ Counselling eg Cruse
¥ Antidepressants for comorbid depression
¥ Behavioural/cognitive/exposure therapies
¥ Refer if significant impairment in functioning
what things will impair a depressed person ability to drive
must not drive if significant memory or concentration problems, agitation, behavioural disturbance or suicidal thoughts
when should you be suspicious of emerging psychosis
increasing distress and declining function – employment, relationship, hygiene
listen to family concerns
how premature do people with major mental illness die
women 12 years
men 16 years
what % of GP consultations have a a mental health component
40%
what are the 3 things in the DSM 5 classification of anxiety
- excessive anxiety and worry about a number of different things
- difficult to control worry
- symptoms
what is the treatment of mil- moderate panic disorder
Self help – books bases on CBT principles, support groups, exercise benefits
Review progress every 4-8 weeks
how is acute grief characterised
¥ Feelings of disbelief and difficulty comprehending the reality of the loss.
¥ Bitterness/anger/guilt/blame.
¥ Impaired functioning
¥ Intense yearning and sadness, and emotional and physical pain.
¥ Mental fogginess, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness.
¥ Loss of sense of self or sense of purpose in life.
¥ Feeling disconnected from other people and ongoing life.
¥ Difficulty engaging in activities or making plans for the future.
when should you consider anxiety for specialist CMHT referral
¥ Severe anxiety disorder with marked functional impairment and:
¥ Risk of self-harm or suicide.
¥ Significant comorbidity (substance misuse, personality disorder, complex physical health problems).
¥ Self-neglect.
¥ OR failure to respond to step 3 interventions.
what is the 3rd line treatment for OCD
clomipramine (most SSRI like of tricyclics)
what is requires for the diagnosis os panic disorder
Recurring unforeseen panic attacks, followed by at least a month of persistent worry about having another
attack and concern about its consequences OR a significant change in behaviour related to the panic attacks
what is the DSM 5 classification for social phobia
A persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others
Exposure provockes anxiety attacks
recognise fear is excessive
feared situations are avoided
what symptoms may be present during a pancake attack
- Palpitations, pounding heart, tachycardia - Dizzy, lightheaded, instability, feeling faint
- Sweating - derelealisation/ depersonalisation
- Muscle trembling, shaking - fears of losing control or going crazy
- Shortness of breath, sensations of smothering - fear of dying
- Choking sensations - numbness, tingling sensations
- Chest pain or discomfort - chills/ hot flushes
- Nausea, abdominal distress
if active monitoring is insufficient in managing anxiety, what are the next steps
low intensity psychological interventions - self help books, group counselling,
what are some examples of Low-intensity psychological andpsychosocial interventions used in primary care for depression
individual self-help based on CBT principles, computerised CBT, group CBT, group physical activity programme
what advice should be given to all those with generalised anxiety disorder
education about anxiety disorder, and active monitoring of patient’s function and symptoms.
Discourage over-the-counter treatments
what drugs should be considered if first line SSRI is not effective at managing anxiety
swap to an alternative SSRI or SNRI (venlafaxine/duloxetine)
pregabalin (beware abuse potential)
what is generalised anxiety disorder
Excessive worry about a number of different events
Can exist in isolation or comorbid anxiety/depressive disorders
where are the 2 most important criteria in the DSM 5 classification of depression
- Depressed mood.
- Loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia).
who gets to decide if a depressed person is fit to work
doctor objective
what drugs may an anti-depressant be augmented wit
lithium
antipsychotic (e.g. quetiapine, aripriprazole etc)
another antidepressant such as mirtazapine