Mental Health Flashcards
Describe the epidemiology of ADHD.
5% school aged children.
M:F = 4:1
What are the 3 core behaviours of ADHD?
- Hyperactivity.
- Inattention.
- Impulsivity.
ADHD core behaviours: give 3 signs of hyperactivity.
- Unable to play quietly
- Talks excessively
- Will run and climb in situations where it is not appropriate
ADHD core behaviours: give 3 signs of impulsivity.
- Does not wait their turn easily
- Often interruptive or intrusive to others
- Will answer prematurely, before a question has been finished
ADHD core behaviours: give 3 signs of inattention.
- Does not follow through on instructions
- Reluctant to engage in mentally-intense tasks
- Easily distracted
- Finds it difficult to sustain tasks
- Finds it difficult to organise tasks or activities
- Often forgetful in daily activities
- Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
- Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
What is the diagnostic criteria for ADHD?
For children up to the age of 16 years, six of these features have to be present; in those aged 17 or over, the threshold is five features.
What tools can be used in order to diagnose ADHD?
- Clinical interview - are there any RF’s for ADHD?
- ADHD nurse classroom observation.
- Questionnaires (SNAP).
- Quantitative behavioural (QB) analysis.
Describe the treatment for ADHD.
- Patients with mild/moderate symptoms can usually benefit from their parents attending education and training programmes.
- Severe- 1st line: Methylphenidate
2nd line: Lisdexamfetamine
Why is it important to do a cardiac assessment before prescribing medications to help treat a child with ADHD?
ADHD medications are cardiotoxic.
Describe the epidemiology of ASD.
1% prevalence.
Boys>girls.
ASD signs: what communication problems might a child with ASD show?
- They may find non-verbal communication very challenging.
- Lack of desire to communicate.
- Tendency to communicate needs only.
- No understanding of jokes, very literal.
ASD signs: what social interaction problems might a child with ASD show?
- Overly friendly or overly shy.
- Struggles to understand social roles.
- Often no desire to interact with others.
- Touches inappropriately, plays alone, poor eye contact, finds it hard to take turns.
ASD signs: what social imagination problems might a child with ASD show?
- Struggles with change.
- Obsessions/rituals.
- Repetitive with play.
- Unable to play or write imaginatively.
Describe the mx for ASD.
- Education and games to encourage social communication.
- Visual aids and timetables.
- Parenting workshops and school liaison.
There are no medications available for ASD.
Give 3 predisposing factors for a child developing depression.
- Family history.
- Stress in pregnancy.
- Poor attachment.
- Poverty.
- Isolation.
Give 3 precipitating factors for a child developing depression.
- Trauma.
- Drugs.
- Infections.
- Puberty.
- Exam stress.
- Sexual abuse.
- Bullying.
Give 3 perpetuating factors for a child developing depression.
- Chronic illness.
- Malnutrition.
- Ongoing neglect.
- Ongoing poverty.
Define anorexia nervosa.
A restriction of energy intake relative to requirements. The person has an intense fear of gaining weight. BMI <17.5.
Give 5 RF’s for developing anorexia nervosa.
- Social pressure.
- Perfectionist traits.
- Family attitudes to food.
- Low self esteem.
- Occupation/interests.
- Family history.
Name the screening tool that can be used for investigating eating problems.
SCOFF.
Describe the treatment for anorexia.
- Family therapy.
- IPT.
- CBT.
- Weight restoration at 0.5kg/week - monitor for re-feeding syndrome.
How is ASD diagnosed?
All 3 of the following features must be present for a diagnosis to be made:
- global impairment of language and communication
- impairment of social relationships
- ritualistic and compulsive phenomena
