PACES Psych+ Paeds Flashcards
What are some features of abnormal grief?
Extremely intense (disabling)
Lasting > 6 months
Delayed
What are some physical causes of depression?
Cushing’s syndrome
Hypothyroidism
Addison’s disease
Dementia
Head injury
Stroke
MS
What are the cognitive symptoms of depression?
Selective memory for negative events
Pathological guilt
Feeling of guilt about being a burden on others
Pessimism
What are the components of the Beck’s cognitive triad?
Negative views about the self (worthless)
Negative views about the world (helpless)
Negative views about the future (hopeless)
What is the investigations for Depression/grief?
PHQ9 to assess baseline level of depression
· Investigations for physical causes (not indicated for all scenarios): FBC (anaemia), TFTs, cortisol
What are thereversible causes of dementia?
Brain (subdural haematoma, space-occupying lesion, normal pressure hydrocephalus)
Endocrine (Addison’s disease, Cushing’s disease)
Vitamin deficiency (B12, folate, thiamine (Wernicke’s), niacin (pellagra))
Neurosyphilis
Describe the features of lewy body dementia?
DLB causes parkinsonism, hallucinations and syncope but short-term memory is less affected than in VD and AD
The ONSET can vary.
Describe the features of Vascular Dementia?
VD has a stepwise decline, DLB and AD has more of a gradual decline
There will also be associated VASCULAR Risk factors.
Describe the features of alzeheimers dementia?
This is a gradual decline and a slow onset.
This starts with poorer recollection of recent memories as opposed to older memories.
They will have problems finding words.
Problems recogninsing people and carrying out skilled tasks.
What are the risk factors of Vascular dementia?
cardiovascular disease
hypertension
high cholesterol
diabetes
What changes may you see on CT scan for Alzehimers, Vascular and Lewy body dementia?
AD - Gerealised atrophy
LBD - Mild atrophy
VD - Multiple lucencies
What congenital condition increases the risk of developing Alzehiemer Dementia?
Down’s syndrome
What is the biological management of AD?
2 drugs?
Optimize physical health
Depends of severity
Slow rate of cognitive decline using anti-dementia drugs
If score >10 on MMSE → acetylcholinesterase inhibitors e.g. donepizil, rivastigmine
If mod-severe AD, intolerant of above → memantine (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) antagonist)
Structured group cognitive stimulation programmes (good for mild-moderate)
Treat any psych/behavioural symptoms of dementia e.g. anxiolytic drugs e.g. trazodone
What is the psychological therapy in AD?
NICE recommends aromatherapy, massage, animal assisted therapy
Reminiscence therapy - talking about the ‘old days’ enhances sense of belonging, confidence
Multisensory therapy - as dementia advances and speech is lost, easier to respond to music, touch
Cognitive stimulation therapy: memory training and relearning
What is the social therapy in AD?
Emotional support, educate about dementia
Train to manage common problems
Home visit
Addressing functional problems that result e.g. kitchen skills
Always carry ID, dossett boxes for meds, reality orientation: visible clocks, environment modifications
Day centres for daytime activities and social contact
Day hospitals enable daily psych care
Provide advice and support for carers
Advising on legal measures to prepare for loss of capacity
Power of attorney
Consider advance statement
Inform DVLA and insurer - not safe to drive
Recall the 10 questions in the AMTS?
How old are you?
What time is it? (to the nearest hour)
What Year is it?
Where are we?
I want you to remember this address: 42 West Register Street. Ask to recall later on in test.
Do you know who I am? Do you know who that is [point to nurse / family member]?
Do you know who the Prime Minister / President is?
What is your date of birth?
Can you tell me when the second world war ended / the first moon landing was / other memorable date ?
Can you count down from 20 to 1?
A score of 7-8 or less suggests cognitive impairment at the time of testing, although further and more formal tests are necessary to confirm a diagnosis of dementia, delirium or other causes of cognitive impairment.
What are the investigations that are required for a patient that has AD?
Neuro examination/ cranial nerve exam
MMSE
Good to have a collateral history
Run some blood tests, LFTs, WBC, Glu, Ca + U+Es etc
Could do a brain scan
REFER to memory clinic.
What does a low AMTS score with a lot of answers stating, I don’t know suggest?
Depression more than dementia.
What is the biological management of depression?
SSRI
Increase dose SSRI
SNRI
Augment with quetiapine
ECT