Mental Health conditions Flashcards
What are the 3 defining features of depression?
Low mood, reduction in energy and decrease in activity for at least 2 weeks.
Common triggers for depression?
Bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy, money worries
What are some risk factors for developing alcohol dependence?
Males having >15 drinks per week, females having >12 drinks per week. Having >5 drinks in a day at least once a week. Having a parent with alcoholism. History of mental health issues.
What are the 7 features of alcohol dependence?
Tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, drinking to overcome withdrawal symptoms, reinstatement after abstinence, narrowing of drinking repertoire, needing alcohol over basics, compulsion to drink
What are the government limits on recommended safe/harmful/hazardous drinking?
Safe: 14 units
Harmful: 14-35
Hazardous: Females = over 35. Males = over 50
Why is thiamine given in alcohol withdrawal?
Need to replenish the many deficiencies. Thiamine deficiency can lead to Wernicke-Korsakoff synfrome in withdrawal
Risk factors for delirium?
Dementia, age, chronic disease, renal impairment, polypharmacy, immobility, acute illness, trauma, surgery, stress, alcohol withdrawal, drugs affecting CNS
Features of dementia?
Rapid onset, fluctuating Sx, altered consciousness, cognitive impairment, altered sleep-wake cycle, suspicious, persecutory, hallucinations, agitation, motor slowing, withdrawn+quiet
What is the most common cause of dementia?
Alzheimer’s disease (50%)
Also, vascular, mixed, Lewy-body dementia
Symptoms of dementia?
Decline in memory, problems concentrating/planning/organising, language difficulty, visuospatial and orientation difficulties
Diagnosis requires minimum duration of 6 months of deterioration from higher level of memory
Management of dementia?
Alzheimer’s: ACh-esterase inhibitors
Vascular: Aspirin
Psychosocial –> reality orientation, reminiscene therapy, memory aids
Social –> safety and financial support
