Old Age Psychiatry

Question 1

What are the cognitive features of dementia?

Answer 1

Dysmnesia plus one or more of

• dysphasia (regressive or expressive)
• dyspraxia
• dysgnosia
• dysexecutive functioning

Functional decline
- ADLs

Question 2

What are the drug treatments of dementia?

Answer 2

ACh inhibitors for mild to moderate dementia

Memantine for moderate to severe dementia

Antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics, anticonvulsants

Question 3

What is the function of cholinesterase inhibitors?

Answer 3

Improve cognitive function, slow decline, improve non cognitive symptoms

Question 4

What are the side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors?

Answer 4

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, insomnia, muscle cramps, headaches, dizziness, syncope, breathing problems

Question 5

What is a normal reaction to grief, mourning and bereavement ?

Answer 5

Alarm, numbness, pining, depression, recovery and reorganisation

Question 6

What is an abnormal reaction to grief, mourning and bereavement?

Answer 6

Persisted beyond 2 months
Guilt
Thoughts of death
Worthlessness
Psychomotor retardation
Prolonged and marked  functional impairment
Psychosis