Organic Mental Disorders Flashcards
What are organic mental disorders?
Mental disorders caused by medical conditions outside the brain.
What is the focus of consultation-liaison psychiatry?
Assessment and management of psychiatric issues in medical patients.
List the conditions associated with organic mental disorders.
Delirium, Dementia, Amnestic syndrome, Cerebro-vascular disorder, Movement disorder, Epilepsy, Head injury, Secondary neuropsychiatric disorders.
Define delirium.
A state of confused thinking and reduced awareness of the environment.
Name some predisposing factors for delirium.
Older age, previous delirium, sensory impairment, CVD, alcohol misuse.
What are some precipitating factors for delirium?
Substance use, infection, head injury, post-seizure states, restraints, pain.
Identify key clinical features of delirium.
Rapid onset, fluctuating consciousness, impaired attention, disorientation, hallucinations, behavioural changes.
What investigations are important in diagnosing organic mental disorders?
Blood tests, imaging (MRI/CT), EEG, lumbar puncture, chest X-ray.
How is delirium managed?
Treat underlying cause, educate family, manage agitation (use antipsychotics cautiously).
What is dementia?
A chronic impairment of memory, intellect, and personality.
What are the primary causes of dementia?
Alzheimer’s, DLB, Parkinson’s, Vascular dementia, head injury, metabolic issues.
List the clinical features of dementia.
Memory loss, language problems, task difficulty, personality changes.
How is dementia treated?
Treat underlying cause, cholinesterase inhibitors, Memantine, psycho-social support.
