Mental Health Flashcards
DEPRESSION: How common is it?
2.6-15% prevalence. 1.6/100 new cases per year
DEPRESSION: Risk factors
Elderly
Mid 30s (if recurrent)
F:M 2:1
Low social class & unemployment
DEPRESSION: Presentation
Biological: Loss of interest or pleasure Lack of emotional reactivity Loss of energy, fatigue Insomnia, with early morning wakening (or hypersomnia) Diurnal mood variation Psychomotor retardation
DEPRESSION: Signs on examination
Somatic symptoms: Loss of appetite (or increased) Weight loss Constipation Amenorrhoea Loss of libido Psychomotor agitation
Psychological symptoms:
Poor concentration, indecisiveness
Pessimistic thoughts - Negative cognitive triad: Self = Worthless, World = Critical, guilt, Future = Hopelessness
Poor self esteem/confidence
Guilt & worthlessness
Hopelessness & thoughts of self harm/suicide
DEPRESSION: Investigations
MSE: Psychotic features, suicidal thoughts
Screen for risk - 3 main domains: Risk to SELF, Risk to OTHERS, SUICIDE & SELF-HARM
PHQ-9
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale
ICD-10 Core symptoms
DEPRESSION: ICD-10 Core Symptoms
Low or depressed mood Loss of interest & enjoyment Loss of energy Duration more than 2 weeks Each symptom present at sufficient severity for most of every day
DEPRESSION: Treatment
Bio-psycho-social: CBT + Manage underlying physical cause/behaviour (eg drug misuse)
Antidepressants (for 6 months after remission):
- SSRIs - fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline
- Tricyclics - Amitriptyline, lofepramine
- NaSSA - Mirtazapine
- SNRI - Venlafaxine
Not for mild depression! (unless symptoms present for long time)
Improve social circumstances!
Conditions that would present similarly to DEPRESSION
PTSD, anxiety & other neurotic disorders, somatisation
ANXIETY: How common is it?
25% lifetime risk
ANXIETY: Causes
Normal emotion, but can become out of proportion & interfere with daily life
ANXIETY: Risk Factors
GAD Risk Factors:
- Environmental stressors - eg domestic violence, unemployment, separation, child abuse, low SE status
- Genetic factors - 5 fold increase if 1st degree relative
- Substance dependence
- Cognitive styles of negative thinking
- Chronic illness
- Neurophysiological factors
ANXIETY: Presentation
- Psychological - worry, apprehension, poor concentration, persistent nervousness, irritability
- Arousal - Hypervigilance, restlessness, increased startle response
- Fears: patient or relative will become ill, fear of losing control, unrealistic ideas of danger, fear of dying, can’t cope
- Motor - Muscle tension, headaches, trembling, purposeless activity, weakness
- Autonomic - CVS (palpitations, tightness etc), RESP (over breathing, difficulty inhaling), GI (dry mouth, dysphagia etc), GUS (freq micturition), Neuro (blurred vision, light headed, tingling)
- Sweating, sleep disturbance, derealisation, depersonalisation, flushing
- Obsessions - Repetitive intrusive involuntary anxiety provoking thoughts - recognised as own
- Compulsions - Patient has insight
- PTSD - flashbacks, emotional blunting, anhedonia, avoidance of activities
ANXIETY: Investigations
GAD screening questions - see history
ANXIETY: Treatment
Manage underlying physical disorders
CBT
Antidepressants - SSRIs, NaSSAs, SNRI, pregabalin, trazadone, buspirone, BENZODIAZEPINES - PRN only (NOT FOR GAD OR PANIC DISORDERS)
Conditions that present similarly to ANXIETY
Physical Disorders - Heart Disease (IHD, AF, heart failure, PE), Diabetes, Under/overactive thyroid, Asthma/COPD, IBS, Tumours (eg phaeochromocytoma)
Drug & alcohol abuse or withdrawal
Depression
Psychosis
ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE: How common is it?
6% M, 2% F
Prevalence: 0.69-0.1% (Mild-Severe)