L51 - Anti-psychotics Flashcards
Define psychosis?
A spectrum of symptoms from mental health problems that stop the person from thinking clearly, telling the difference between reality and their imagination and acting normally
List the positive symptoms of psychosis?
Hallucination
Delusion
Agitation
Disorganized thinking
Define Hallucination?
Perceive something that does not exist in reality (feeling)
Can occur in any of the 5 senses
Define delusion?
cannot separate real from unreal experiences
strongly believe things that, when examined rationally, are not true/rational
Define agitation
unpleasant state of increased tension and irritability
Symptoms of unorganized thoughts?
Rapid, constant speech
Random speech content: Switch from one topic to another in the middle of a sentence
Train of thoughts may suddenly stop = abrupt pause in conversation / activity
List the negative symptoms of psychosis?
Lack of emotional response Social withdrawal/ depression Apathy (Experience feelings of emptiness) Lack of drive Lack of insight and self- awareness
Explain how lack of insight and self-awareness impacts a psychosis patient’s behavior ?
Totally unaware that they act in strange ways or have hallucinations / delusions
Can recognize abnormal behaviors of others
3 major causes of psychosis?
- Psychological conditions
- General medical conditions causing secondary psychosis
- Drugs
List psychological conditions that cause psychosis?
Schizophrenia (repeated psychosis)
Bipolar disorder (extreme mood swings)
Severe stress or anxiety
Lack of sleep
Severe depression
List some general medical conditions that cause psychosis?
Metabolic diseases: Vit B12 deficiency** >> Acute onset of psychosis Hyponatremia Hyperadrenalism Hyper- or hypothyroidism Hepatic encephalopathy
Brain diseases:
- Stroke
- Huntington’s
- Wilson’s
- Tumour
- Encephalitis or CNS infections
List some substances that can trigger psychosis?
- Severe alcohol intake
- Chronic Cannabis use
- Cocaine
- Amphetamine
- Meth, LSD, Ketamine, MDMA, Mephedrone
Compare the general MoA of antipsychotics vs antidepressants
Antidepressant = Increase monoamine neurotransmitters
Antipsychotics = BLock Dopamine
Which neurotransmitter in excess is key to psychosis?
Dopamine
Excess = interrupts specific brain pathways responsible for normal functions (e.g. memory, emotion, social behavior, self-awareness) = psychosis
Differentiate the types of dopamine receptors?
5 different dopamine receptors (D1-D5):
D1, D5: activate adenylate cyclase
D2, D3, D4: inhibit adenylate cyclase
List the structures of the brain with the most D2 receptors?
Cerebral cortex Corpus striatum (caudate nucleus, putamen) Limbic system Basal ganglia Pituitary gland Hypothalamus
List some non-medication treatment options for psychosis?
- Psychological therapies
- Social support
- Family therapy
- Self-help groups
Formulation/ preparations of antipsychotics? When are the diff. formulations indicated?
- Oral pills or syrups
- Rapid- disintegrated forms for buccal absorption for non-adherent patients - Injections:
- Slow-release antipsychotics for non-compliant patients