Mental Health Flashcards
What are the 3 Cardinal symptoms of depression?
Low mood
Loss of interest/enjoyment
Reduced energy
What are the additional symptoms of depression?
Reduced concentration Low self-esteem/confidence Ideas or acts of self harm Early morning wakening Reduced appetite Ideas of guilt and unworthiness
What specific things do you need to ask about in history of presenting complaint?
Depression
Anxiety
Psychosis
Deliberate self-harm
What are the categories of anxiety symptoms?
Biological
Psychological
Avoidance
What are the components of a mental state examination?
Appearance and Behaviour Speech Mood/Affect Thought Perception Cognition Insight
What aspects of appearance and behaviour should you comment on?
Description
Psychomotor activity
Rapport
Other abnormal behaviours
What should you comment on regarding speech?
Rate Rhythm Content Tone Formal thought disorder
What are the aspects of mood?
Subjective
Objective
Affect
How does affect relate to mood?
Mood is the season, affect is the weather
What parts of thought should you comment on?
Form
Content
Suicidal ideation
What aspects of perception should you comment on?
Hallucinatory experience
Modalities
Illusions
Pseudo hallucinations
How do you assess insight?
Do they think they’re ill?
Do they think they need treatment?
Do they think treatment is useful?
What is the mnemonic for cognitive assessment?
GOAL-CRAMP
What are the components of cognitive assessment?
General Orientation Attention and concentration Language Calculation Right hemisphere function Abstraction Memory Praxia
Define psychosis
Any condition where reality judgement is significantly disturbed. The individual is unable to distinguish between their own subjective experience and external reality
What are the psychotic symptoms?
Hallucinations
Delusions
Thought disorder
Define a hallucination
A perception occurring in the absence of an external stimulus
What is the most common type of hallucination?
Auditory
Define an illusion
A misperception of an external stimulus
What is a pseudo hallucination?
A perception in the absence of an external stimulus (as for hallucination), but the perception is located in the internal (subjective) space
E.g. The patient is aware that the voice is in their own head
Define a delusion
A false, unshakable belief which is out of keeping with the person’s cultural and religious background
What is the most common type of delusion?
Paranoid (persecutory) - patient feels they are being persecuted and the persecutor is trying to cause harm
What are delusions of reference?
Things happening in the external environment are targeted at them
What types of delusions are commonly seen in schizophrenia?
Paranoid
Delusions of reference
Passivity
What are passivity delusions?
Belief that another agency is controlling the patient’s mind
What are grandiose delusions?
Special beliefs/powers
Belief that other people are below them
What are nihilistic delusions?
Everything’s going downhill
World’s going to end
What’s a common nihilistic delusion in elderly patients?
That their bowels aren’t working
What is an important differential for delusions?
Overvalued ideas
What are overvalued ideas?
Ideas which tend to occupy the person and may affect their actions. They are shakable, and may be understandable culturally
What is form of thought?
The way someone orders their thoughts
What are the 3 components of consent?
Informed
Competent
Voluntary
Define capacity
The ability to make a specific decision
What are the 4 components of testing capacity?
- Can they understand the information?
- Retain the information
- Use/weight it up
- Communicate the decision
What are DOLS?
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
When can DOLS be used?
In hospital or care homes when the patient lacks capacity
Define mental disorder
Any disorder or disability of the mind
Who can use section 5(4)?
Registered Mental health Nurses, to detain patients for up to 6 hours for assessment by a doctor
Who can use section 5(2)?
RMO/junior on call
Detain patient for up to 72 hours
Who does a section 2 need to be completed?
2 doctors - at least one section 12(2) approved
1 AMHP
What does a section 2 allow?
Max 28 days detainment for assessment and treatment of a mental disorder
Can appeal within 1st 14 days
Who does a section 3 require to be completed?
2 doctors - at least one section 12(2) approved
1 AMHP
What does a section 3 allow?
Detainment for max 6 months for treatment of mental disorder
Treatment can only be forced for 3 months, then capacity must be assessed
What is a section 137?
Police power to remove to a place of safety from a public place, for an assessment by an AMHP and a doctor
Can be held for up to 72 hours
What is a section 17?
While detained in hospital under S2 or 3, a patient may leave under S17
What is a CTO?
Community Treatment Order
Give some examples of static risk factors that increase a person’s risk
Male
Age
Comorbid diagnosis eg MS
History of recurrent major depressive disorder
Give some examples of dynamic risk factors for risk
Currently depressed
Use of alcohol or drugs as coping strategy
Recently unemployed
What are the 5 dimensions of risk that need to be assessed?
What is the risk? Severity of risk Frequency of risk Imminence of risk Who is at risk?
Define suicide
Verdict or category recorded by a coroner where death was unnatural and a result of the victim’s own actions, with the intent to kill themselves
Define para-suicide
For whatever reason the victim survived the suicide attempt
In what group are suicide rates highest?
Men aged 40-44
What risk factors make an inpatient more likely to commit suicide?
Forensic history Previous suicidal behaviour Violence to property Recent bereavement Presence of delusions
What are post-discharge risk factors for suicide?
Unplanned discharge
Lack of continuity of care
Suicidal prior to admission
What are the general risk factors for suicide?
Male Living alone Unemployment Drug/alcohol misuse Mental illness
What is the lifetime suicide risk for depression?
15% higher than general population
What is the lifetime risk of suicide in alcohol abuse?
2-4 % increase on general population
What increases risk of suicide in schizophrenia?
Positive psychotic symptoms Post-psychotic depression Young and male 1st decade of illness Relapsing pattern of illness Recent hospital discharge Social isolation Good insight into illness
What type of personality disorder leads to highest suicide risk?
Borderline (emotionally unstable)
Due to accidental death after self harm
What are the 2 main types of deliberate self harm?
Self-poisoning
Self-injury
Why is alcohol use at the time of deliberate self harm dangerous?
Alcohol increases toxicity of psychotropic drugs
Unconsciousness can delay time to treatment
How do mood disorders affect risk to others?
No increase
In psychotic disorders, what increases risk of harm to others?
Specific persecutory delusions or hallucinations
Command auditory hallucinations
Name 3 specific toxic syndromes relating to psychiatric drugs
Prolonged QTc
Serotonin syndrome
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
What is the mono amine hypothesis of depression?
Reduced levels of serotonin and noradrenaline lead to depression
How do TCAs work?
Non-specific reuptake inhibitors for both serotonin and noradrenaline
How do SNRIs work?
Serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors
How does trazodone work?
Similar to TCA, complex serotonin action
Sedative effect
When is prophylaxis indicated for depression?
2 or more depressive episodes in 5 years
Continue antidepressants for 2 years
In which antidepressants is discontinuation syndrome more common?
Shorter-acting antidepressants
Paroxetine and venlafaxine
Give two examples of TCAs
Amitriptyline
Imipramine
What is the safest and least cardio toxic TCA?
Lofepramine
What are the anticholinergic side effects of TCAs?
Dry mouth Blurred vision Urinary retention Constipation Worsening of glaucoma
What are the other side effects of TCAs?
Drowsiness and weight gain CVS - tachycardia, hypotension, prolonged QT Fine tremor, poor coordination, headache Lowered seizure threshold Allergic skin rashes
What SSRI has a longer half-life?
Fluoxetine
What SSRIs can cause prolonged QTc?
Citalopram
Escitalopram
How do SSRIs affect other drugs?
CYP enzyme inhibitors, so reduce metabolism and increase plasma drug levels
What are the side effects of SSRIs?
GI: nausea, loss of appetite, dyspepsia, bloating, diarrhoea, constipation Headache Sweating Sexual dysfunction Increased risk of bleeding
Give 2 examples of SNRIs
Venlafaxine
Duloxetine
What are the side effects of SNRIs?
Nausea Dry mouth Headache Dizziness Sexual dysfunction Hypo or hypertension
How do monoamine oxidase inhibitors work?
Block intracellular breakdown of dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and tayra mine
Why are there diet restrictions with MAOIs?
‘Cheese reaction’ can cause hypertensive crisis
These drugs block breakdown of dietary tyramine, found in foods such as cheese
What is serotonin syndrome?
Too much serotonin, causing…
Restlessness, excess sweating, tremor, shivering, myoclonus, confusion, convulsions, death
What drugs can cause serotonin syndrome?
Antidepressants
Tramadol
Amitryptiline
What are the indications for antipsychotics?
Psychotic symptoms (delusions and hallucinations)
Mania
Acute behavioural disturbance
Antidepressant augmentation
How do antipsychotics work?
Dopamine antagonists at D2 receptors
Name 3 dopamine pathways in the brain
Mesolimbic
Nigrostriatal
Pituitary temporofundibular
On which dopamine pathway do antipsychotics have their therapeutic effect?
Mesolimbic
What side effects are caused by antipsychotics taking effect on the nigrostriatal pathway?
Extra-pyramidal
What side effect is caused by antipsychotics taking effect on the pituitary temporofundibular pathway?
Hyperprolactinaemia
Name 3 typical antipsychotics
Haloperidol
Chlorpromazine
Sulpiride
What are the 4 types of extra pyramidal side effects?
Parkinsonism
Akathasia
Dystonia
Tardive dyskinesia
What are the signs of Parkinsonism?
Tremor
Cogwheel rigidity
Bradykinesia
How is Parkinsonism treated?
Anticholinergics
What is akathisia?
Subjective restlessness
Doesn’t respond to anticholinergic
What is dystonia?
Serious muscle spasm
What is tardive dyskinesia?
Serious long-term involuntary choreo-athetoid orofacial movements
Give 5 examples of atypical antipsychotics
Olanzapine Quetiapine Risperidone Aripiprazole Clozapine
What are the side effects of atypical antipsychotics?
Hyperprolactinaemia
Anti-adrenergic eg sedation and postural hypotension
Anticholinergic
Cardiac arrhythmias
What monitoring is required for clozapine?
FBC initially weekly then monthly
Due to 0.5% risk of agranulocytosis
Give an example of a Depot antipsychotic injection
Haldol - haloperidol decanoate
What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome?
Rare response to antipsychotics
Extra pyramidal side effects
Autonomic dysfunction
Creatine kinase increased
What are the indications for mood stabilisers?
Bipolar affective disorder
Hypomania, mania, depression or mixed
Treatment and prophylaxis of mood episodes
What classes of drugs can be used as mood stabilisers?
Antipsychotics
Lithium
Anticonvulsants
What are the indications for lithium?
Mania
Prevention of manic and depressive episodes
Treatment-resistant depression
What are the main causes of lithium toxicity?
Overdose
Dehydration
Drug interactions: NSAIDs, diuretics, ACEi
What are the side effects of lithium?
Polydipsia and polyuria Nausea, GI disturbance, weight gain, oedema Fine tremor Mild renal impairment Metallic taste in mouth Teratogenic
What are the signs of lithium toxicity?
Coarse tremor Ataxia Dysarthria Reduced consciousness Convulsions Coma Death
How may lithium effect the ECG?
T wave flattening
Widened QRS
What are the side effects of sodium valproate?
Tremor Sedation Headache GI disturbance Hyperammonaemia, thrombocytopenia, hair loss Teratogenic
What are the potential drug interactions of sodium valproate?
CYP inhibitors and inducers
What is the mechanism of action of carbamazepine?
Sodium channel blocker
Affects glutamate, dopamine and NA
What are the side effects of carbamazepine?
Dizziness, drowsiness, ataxia, headache, visual disturbance Hyponatraemia and oedema GI: anorexia, nausea, constipation Leukopenia (rare) Teratogenic
How does carbamazepine affect other drugs?
CYP inducer - decreases drug levels in plasma eg OCP
What class of drug is lamotrigine?
Anticonvulsant
Used in bipolar depression
What are the side effects of lamotrigine?
GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
Dizziness, tremor, ataxia
Serious skin reactions eg Stevens Johnson syndrome
Bone marrow failure
When are anxiolytics used?
2nd line for anxiety disorders eg GAD, panic disorder, OCD, PTSD, phobias
Give 4 examples of anxiolytics
Benzodiazepines
Antidepressants
Buspirone
Pregabalin
How do benzodiazepines work?
Act on GABA-A receptors
Name a fast-acting benzodiazepine
Lorazepam
Name a long acting benzodiazepine
Diazepam
What is the effect of acute withdrawal of benzodiazepines?
Anxiety
Insomnia
Seizures
Potential death
What are the side effects of benzodiazepines?
Drowsiness Light-headedness Ataxia Confusion Amnesia Paradoxical agitation Disinhibition
What are the effects of benzodiazepine overdose?
Ataxia Dysarthria Nystagmus Coma Respiratory depression
Name 5 hypnotic drugs
Benzodiazepines eg temazepam and diazepam
Zopiclone
Zolpidem
Zalepon
When are hypnotics used?
As 2nd line to sleep hygiene measures
How does alcohol withdrawal syndrome present?
Anxiety
Insomnia
Agitation
Risk of convulsions and death
What is the pharmacological management of alcohol detox?
Chlordiazepoxide - long-acting BZD
Multivitamins and pabrinex
What drugs are used to maintain abstinence from alcohol?
Acamposate/naltrexone to reduce craving
Disulfiram
How does disulfiram work?
Disrupts alcohol metabolism by inhibiting acetaldehyde dehydrogenase
Causes acetaldehyde to build up causing an unpleasant reaction
Name 2 drugs used to treat opioid dependence
Methadone
Buprenorphine
Name 3 acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
Donepezil
Rivastigmine
Galantamine
What are the side effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors?
Nausea and vomiting Anorexia Diarrhoea Fatigue Insomnia Headaches Muscle cramps Bradycardia and syncope
What is the mechanism of action of memantine?
Partial glutamate agonist
What is the indication for memantine?
Behavioural disturbance in dementia
What are the side effects of memantine?
Constipation Dyspnoea Headache Dizziness Drowsiness
What type of drug is used for ADHD?
Central nervous system stimulants
Give 2 examples of drugs used in ADHD
Methylphenidate
Dexamphetamine
What is ECT?
Passage of small electrical current through the brain
View to inducing a generalised fit which is therapeutic
What are the indications for ECT?
Severe depressive illness
Uncontrolled mania
Catatonia
What are the side effects of ECT?
Risks of anaesthesia Confusion Headache Status epilepticus Stroke Arrhythmias Bleeding ulcers PE Broken teeth Memory - depends on total energy and site
What are the absolute contraindications to ECT?
Raised intracranial pressure
Cerebral aneurysm
History of cerebral haemorrhage
Define psychosis
Any condition where reality judgement is significantly disturbed
What are the psychotic symptoms?
Hallucinations
Delusions
Thought disorder
Define hallucination
A perception occurring in the absence of an external stimulus
Define an illusion
A misperception of an external stimulus
Define a delusion
A false, unshakable belief which is out of keeping with the person’s cultural and religious background
Name 2 conditions in which there may be a formal thought disorder
Schizophrenia
Mania
What are the different types of formal thought disorder?
Flight of ideas
Loosening of associations
Neologisms
What is flight of ideas?
Ideas follow each other rapidly
Connection between ideas appears to be due to chance, usually understood by cues in the patient’s language
What is loosening of associations?
Complete loss of normal structure of thinking
Transition from one topic to another either between sentences or mid-sentence
What are neologisms?
Words or phrases constructed (not consciously) by the patient and used with meaning in their conversation
What are the aspects of insight?
Understand they are unwell
Understand they need treatment
Accept treatment or make rational decisions about their treatment
What are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
Thought disorder
Hallucinations
Delusions
What are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Loss of/not doing the activities they would normally have engaged with Apathy Social withdrawal Loss of motivation Neglect
What is the most common type of schizophrenia?
Paranoid
What are the likely symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia?
Delusions
Hallucinations
Loss of insight
Possible formal thought disorder
What are schneider’s first rank symptoms? Name the categories
Group of symptoms rarely thought to be found in disorders other than schizophrenia 3 hallucinations 3 thought possession delusions 3 'made' phenomena/delusions Delusional perception
What 3 hallucinations are commonly seen in paranoid schizophrenia?
Running commentary
3rd person hallucinations
Thought echo