Mental Health Block Flashcards
List the 10 components of a psychiatric history?
- Presenting complaint
- History of presenting complaint
- Past psychiatric history
- Past medical history
- Drug history
- Family history
- Personal and psychosexual history
- Social history
- Forensic history
- Pre morbid personality
What are the 7 components of the mental state exam?
- Appearance and behaviour
- Speech
- Mood
- Thought
- Perception
- Cognition
- Insight
What is a mnemonic to remind you of the possible categories of differential diagnoses for a psychiatric patient?
SAD MOPP
S-substance
A-anxiety
D-developmental
M-mood
O-organic
P-psychotic
P-personality
What are 5 medical conditions that should be asked about in PMH of a psychiatric history?
- Thyroid disease
- Epilepsy
- Previous head injury
- Cardiovascular risk (psychotropic medication)
- Diabetes (psychotropic medication)
Name 4 thought contents that are of special importance in the diagnosis of schizophrenia
- Thought insertion (someone else is putting thoughts in your head)
- Thought excision (someone is removing your thoughts)
- Delusions of control (feeling like a puppet)
- Delusions of reference (think they’re talking about you on tv/radio)
What are the 9 key symptoms of (major) depressive disorder (DSM classification)?
- Persistent low mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure (anhedonia)
- Fatigue/low energy
(at least 1 of these must be present for a diagnosis and if so, then ask patients about the following) - Disturbed sleep
- Poor concentration or indecisiveness
- Low self confidence/guilt
- Poor/increased appetite
- Suicidal thoughts/acts
- Agitation/slowing of movement
How is depressive disorder diagnosed?
A patient must have had at least 2 of the 10 symptoms of depressive disorder over a 2 week period
4 symptoms = mild depression
5-6 = moderate
7+ = severe
How is major depressive disorder diagnosed?
A patient must have had at least 5 of the 9 symptoms of major depressive disorder over a 2 week period
Patient must be clinically distressed or have impaired functioning
What 4 investigations would you consider for a patients suspected to have depression?
- BP + pulse
- FBC, U&E, TFT, LFT, HbA1C
- ECG
- BMI
What are 5 common side effects of sertraline (SSRI)?
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Mild nausea (resolve in 1-2wks)
- GI upset (resolve in 1-2wks)
- Decreased libido + impotence
Name 5 conditions where antidepressants are used
- Unipolar depression
- Organic mood disorder
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Anxiety disorder
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
How long does it take before antidepressants improve symptoms?
3-6 weeks
How long should an antidepressant be continued once symptoms improve?
At least 6 months
What are 2 examples of a tricyclic antidepressant (name 1 tertiary TCA and 1 secondary TCA)?
Amitriptyline = tertiary TCA (act primarily on serotonin receptors)
Nortriptyline = secondary TCA (act primarily on norepinephrine receptors)
Name 6 side effects of tricyclic antidepressants
- Lower seizure threshold
- Cardiotoxic (prolong QTc)
- Lethal in overdose
- Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, confusion, cognitive/memory problems)
- Antiadrenergic effects (postural hypotension, sexual dysfunction, tachycardia)
- Antihistaminic effects (sedation, weight gain)
What is the most common class of antidepressant used?
SSRIs
List 5 common SSRIs
- Fluoxetine
- Sertraline
- Citalopram
- Escitalopram
- Paroxetine
If a patient doesn’t respond to SSRI treatment what drug class can you try?
SNRI
serotonine norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor
Give 3 examples of SNRIs
- Duloxetine (used in diabetic neuropathy)
- Venlaxafine (used for menopausal symptoms)
- Mirtazapine
What is serotonin syndrome?
Autonomic dysfunction caused by increased/excessive serotonin (due to 1+ drugs or interactions)
What are the 5 symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
- Autonomic dysfunction (hyperthermia, hypertension, tachycardia)
- Abdo pain
- Myoclonus
- Delirium
- Cardiovascular shock
What are the 4 steps to treating serotonin syndrome?
- Discontinue medication
- Benzodiazepines for agitation
- Cyproheptadine (serotonin antagonist - if severe)
- Active cooling
Name 4 scenarios where urgent psychiatric referral is necessary
- Significant perceived risk of suicide, harm to others, self-neglect
- Psychotic symptoms
- History/suspicion of bipolar disorder
- All cases where a child/adolescent presents with major depression
Name 9 risk factors for suicide
- Age > 45
- Male
- Unemployment
- Divorced/widowed/single
- Psychiatric illness
- Physical illness
- Previous suicide attempts
- Substance abuse
- Family history of depression/substance abuse/suicide