Opening up to Mental Health

Question 1

What are the red flags for mental health problems?

Answer 1

• unexplained chronic pain/fatigue
• recurrent presentations
• changes in eating/sleeping patterns
• signs of issues at work/school/home life
• signs of past/present drug abuse
• chronic physical health problem

Question 2

What are some relevant questions to ask a patient about their mental health problem?

Answer 2

• triggers
• duration of symptoms, recurrent/isolated episode?
• patient/family history
• level of social support/isolation
• drugs/alcohol use
• employment
• childhood (abuse/neglect)
• previous treatment (did they respond well?)

Question 3

List some mental health support resources

Answer 3

• samaritans
• moodcafe website
• mind website/phone

Question 4

List the key and associated symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder (GAD)

Answer 4

Key:

• excessive worry about a number of events
• difficulty controlling the worrying
• occurs majority of days for at least 6 months
• not associated with another anxiety disorder

Associated:

• restlessness
• easily fatigued
• difficulty concentrating
• muscle tension
• irritability
• disturbed sleep

Question 5

Describe the management of GAD

Answer 5

Step 1: identify and assess, educate, discuss treatment options, active monitoring

Step 2: low intensity psychological intervention

Step 3: choice of high intensity psychological intervention or drug treatment

Step 4: specialist treatment, complex drug and/or psychological treatment, multi-agency teams, crisis services, day hospitals or in-patient

Question 6

What are the considerations in assessing pschosis?

Answer 6

• nature of delusion/hallucination
• timing
• recurring theme?
• any recent major life event?
• history of substance abuse?
• vulnerability
• family history of mental illness

Question 7

Describe the management of psychosis

Answer 7

Dependent on the cause, combination of:

• anti-psychotics
• psychological therapy
• social support
• occupational/educational intervention