Management of Mood Disorders

Question 1

What are some examples of a scale/questionnaire that should be used to monitor/response to treatment?

Answer 1

Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ 9)

Question 2

When should you consider prescribing antidepressants?

Answer 2

For people with:
a past history of moderate/severe depression or
initial presentation of subthreshold depressive symptoms that have been present for a long period (at least 2y) or
subthreshold depressive symptoms or mild depression that persists after other interventions

Question 3

What is the basic guideline of treatment for moderate or severe dementia?

Answer 3

A combination of antidepressant medication and a high intensity psychological intervention (CBT or IPT)

Question 4

What is dichotomous thinking?

Answer 4

All or nothing/black and white thinking

Question 5

What is selective abstraction?

Answer 5

Focus on one -ve detail; colours entire experience