Past Papers Flashcards
Indications for ECT
• Major Depressive Disorder o Treatment resistant depression o Immediate suicide risk o MDD with psychotic features o MDD in patients with comorbidities (pregnancy, elderly) • Bipolar Disorder o Treatment resistant (depressive) o Treatment resistant (mania) o Mania with potential danger to life • Schizophrenia o Treatment resistant o Schizophrenia in patients with co-morbidities (pregnancy, elderly, previous NMS) • Other o Life-threatening insufficiency of fluid or food from MDD/catatonia o Prolonged/severe maina o Psychomotor stupor/catatonia o Depression in the setting of Parkinsons, MS, Huntington’s disease
Presentation and management of Alcohol withdrawal
• Present after cessation/reduction of heavy alcohol use with (usually within 6-8 hours):
o Autonomic hyperactivity (sweating, tachycardia, hypertension)
o Hand tremor
o Nausea/vomiting
o Transient hallucinations/illusions
o Psychomotor agitation
o Anxiety
o Generalized tonic-clonic seizures
o Insomnia
o Craving
• Fatal complication = delirium tremens (fluctuating level of consciousness)
• Management
o Rule out other causes (LP, CTB, glucose)
o Benzodiazepines
Diazepam 10mg PO stat, then 5mg 6 hrly for 3 days, then 5mg 12hrly for 2 days, then 5mg daily for 2 days, then stop
o IV fluids if dehydrated
o Thiamine, folate and glucose (prevent Wenicke’s encephalopathy)
Thiamine, 300mg po daily for 2 weeks
o Correct electrolyte imbalances
o Nutritional supplementation
o Put them in a quiet place
o If delirium tremens
May need IV diazepam
If severely agitated and restless, can give IV/IM haloperidol
Side-effect profile of Sodium Valproate
- GIT (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipations)
- Fatigue, sedation, ataxia, dysarthria
- Tremor
- Increased appetite
- Irregular periods
- Aggression, hyperactivity, depression
- Hepatoxicity, liver failure and pancreatitis (Rare)
- Thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, red cell hypoplasia
- Alopecia, skin rashes, curly hair
Side effects of carbamazepine
• Common
o Sedation
o Dry mouth
o Dizziness, ataxia
o GI (nausea, anorexia, constipation)
• Uncommon
o Skin reactions (erythema, photosensitivity, urticaria, SJS)
o Osteomalacia
o SIADH (hyponatraemia + water retention)
o Agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anaemia
o LVF, cardiac conduction defects
o Nystagmus, diplopia, ataxia, drowsiness, ,blurred vision, confusion
Side effects of SSRIs
- Nausea, vomiting, abdo pain, constipation, diarrhea
- Agitation, anxiety, insomnia, tremor
- Sexual dysfunction
- Hyponatraemia
- Weight gain
- Increase risk of GI bleed
- QT prolongation
- Rare: serotonin syndrome
Side effect profiles of typical and atypical antipsychotics with examples
• Typical antipsychotics (haloperidol, chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, flupenthixol, zuclopenthixol)
o EPSEs
o CVS: QT prolongation, hypotension
o Anticholinergic: dry mouth, blurry vision, tachycardia, constipation, urinary retention, aggravation of closed angle glaucoma
o Endocrine: gynaecomastia, menstrual disturbances, weight gain
o GIT: anorexia/hyperphagia, diarrhea, constipation
o Sexual: loss of libido, erectile dysfunction , anorgasmia
o Blood dyscrasias
o Photosensitivity and hyperpigmentation
• Atypical antipsychotics (olanzapine, clozapine, risperidone)
o Less likely to cause EPSEs
o More metabolic (weight gain, impaired glucose metabolism, impaired lipid metabolism)
o Blood dyscrasias
Diagnostic criteria of Borderline Personality Disorder (7)
• A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image and affects, with marked impulsivity, starting in early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, with 5 or more:
- Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment
- Pattern of unstable/intense interpersonal relationships with alternating idealization and devaluation
- Identity disturbance (unstable self-image)
- Impulsivity in at least 2 areas that are potentially self-damaging (spending, sex, driving)
- Recurrent suicidal behaviour, gestures, threats or self-mutilating behaviour
- Affective instability (reactivity of mood)
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
- Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger
- Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms
Core presenting symptoms of PTSD (10)
• Exposure to actual/threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence
• Intrusion symptoms
1. Recurrent, involuntary and intrusive distressing memories of the event
2. Recurrent distressing dreams related to the event
3. Dissociative reactions (flashbacks), feel like the event was recurring
4. Intense or prolonged psychological distress at exposure to internal/external cues related to event
5. Marked physiological reactions to internal/external cues
• Persistent avoidance
1. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid distressing memories, thoughts and feelings
2. Avoidance of or efforts to avoid external reminders
• Negative alterations in cognition and mood
1. Inability to remember an important aspect of the event (dissociative amnesia)
2. Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs/expectations about onself/others
3. Persistent distorted cognitions about the cause/consequences of the traumatic events that lead the individual to blame themselves/others
4. Persistent negative emotional state (fear, horror)
5. Markedly diminished interest or participation in activities
6. Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others
7. Persistent inability to experience positive emotions
• Marked alterations in arousal and reactivity
1. Irritable behaviour/angry outbursts
2. Reckless/self-destructive behaviour
3. Hypervigilance
4. Exaggerated startle response
5. Problems concentrating
6. Sleep disturbances
• Duration for >1month
• Causes distress
• Not due to physiological effects of a substance/GMC
Cortical vs subcortical dementia
• Cortical dementia
o Degeneration of the neocortical association areas
o Preserved motor speech skills
• Subcortical dementia
o Degeneration in basal ganglia, thalamus and brainstem
o Preserved language skills
Good vs bad prognostic features in Schizophrenia (10)
• Poor prognosis o Illness features Insidious onset Long first episode Previous psychiatric history Family history No obvious precipitants Negative symptoms Young age at onset No mood component o Patient features Male Low IQ Single, separated, divorced Abnormal previous personality Poor employment record Social isolation Poor support system Poor compliance History of perinatal trauma • Good prognosis o Illness features Acute onset No family history Positive symptoms Obvious precipitant Mood symptoms o Patient features Female High IQ Married Good premorbid social, sexual and work life Good support system Compliance to medication
Suicidal risk assessment (
• Risk profile o S: sex male o A: age <19 or >45 o D: depression or hopelessness (2) o P: previous attempts or psychiatric care o E: excessive alcohol or drug use o R: rational thinking loss (2) o S: separated/divorced/widowed o O: organized or serious attempt (2) o N: no social support o S: stated future intent (2) • Interpretation o 0-2: No real problems, keep watch o 3-4: send home but check frequently o 5-6: consider hospitalization o 7-10: definitely hospitalize
Side effects of Clozapine (5)
• CNS o Drowsiness, fatigue, headach, agitation, seizure, EPSEs • CVS o Myocarditis o Cardiomyopathy o Tachyarrhythmias o Orthostatic hypotension • Endocrine o Excessive salivation o Weight gain o Hyperglycemia o Hypercholesterolaemia • Gastrointestinal system o Constipation o Toxic megacolong o Pancreatitis o Nausea vomiting • Genito-urinary o Urinary retention/incontinence • Hematologic o Agranulocytosis o Neutropenia • Dermatologic o Rash, sweating • Respiratory o PE • Hepatic o Hepatitis o Hepatic failure
Symptoms of depression and side-effects of TCAs (15)
• Symptoms of depression o Depressed mood o Anhedonia (diminished interest/pleasure) o Significant weight loss (5% in a month) or decrease/increase in appetite) o Insomnia/hypersomnia o Psychomotor agitation/retardation o Fatigue/loss of energy o Feelings of worthlessness/ excessive or inappropriate guilt o Decreased concentration or indecisiveness o Recurrent thoughts of death/ suicidal ideation/attempt • TCA side effects (Amitriptyline): o Anticholinergic Dry mouth Blurry vision Tachycardia Arrhythmias Confusion Urinary retention constipation o Antihistaminic Sedation/drowsiness Weight gain from increased appetite o Antiadrenergic Hypotension (postural) Arrhythmias o Epileptogenic
Discuss understanding of Motivational Interviewing (10)
• Useful interpersonal communication style
• Based on the model for the stages of change:
o Pre-contemplation (unaware of problem)
o Contemplation (begin to weigh up continuing vs changing)
o Determination (decision to do something)
o Action (strategy for change is taken and pursued)
o Maintenance (efforts made to maintain gains)
o Relapse
• Patients need to have insight into undesirability of their behaviour
• Other elements in MI
o Support self-motivation
o Express empathy
o Avoid arguments
o Develop discrepancy (between behaviour and goals)
o Roll with resistance
o Support self-efficacy
Bio-psycho-social management of Panic disorder (8) and symptoms
Symptoms • Recurrent unexpected panic attacks o Panic attacks Spontaneous, discrete episodes of intense fear that begin abruptly and last for several minutes/an hour Often have autonomic symptoms (CVS, resp, GI) • Present for more than 1 month o Worry about the future or significant maladaptive behaviour change related to attacks Management • Bio: o Antidepressants: SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs and MAOIs SSRI • Fluoxetine 20mg • Citalopram 20mg • Paroxetine 20mg • Sertraline 50mg SNRI • Venlafaxine 75mg • Duloxetine 60mg TCAs • Imipramine 75mg • Amitriptyline 75mg o Usually extremely sensitive to antidepressants Start low and go slow Kept on for 8-12 months and then tapered o Can use benzos for acute attack Usually max 2 weeks Anxiolysis while SSRIs work Lorazepam 1mg bd Propranolol 10-40mg in SAD • Psychosocial o CBT is effective o Systemic desensitization: gradual exposure to feared stimuli o Breathing exercises
Presentation and management of Delirium
• Presentation
o Disturbance in attention (reduced ability to direct, focus, sustain and shift attention) and awareness (reduced orientation to the environment)
o Disturbance develops over a short period of time (hours to days)
Represents a change from baseline
Tends to fluctuate throughout the day
o Additional disturbance in cognition (memory deficit, disorientation, language, visiospatial ability or perception)
o Not better explained by pre-existing neurocognitive disorder
o Evidence from history, physical exam or lab findings that the disturbance is a direct consequence of a medical condition, substance intoxication/withdrawal or toxin, or has multiple aetiologies
• Management
o Identify and address predisposing and precipitating factors
o Supportive care
Reorientation
Sleep
Mobilization
Vision
Hearing
Hydration
o Non-pharmacologic
o Pharmacotherapy
Benzo if substance withdrawal (and thiamine)
If hypoactive, cans use low-dose haloperidol
• If contraindicated, use olazapine or risperidone
If severely agitated
• Can use a benzo
If hyperactive
• Avoid benzos
• Sedate with haloperidol
• If persists, use quetiapine or olanzapine
Possible reasons for patient with Schizophrenia not improving on treatment (10)
• Underdosing of medication • Malabsorption (can change to a depot) • Drug interactions • Wrong diagnosis • Non-compliance o Lack of insight (consider depot) o Adverse effects (consider changing class)
Management of enuresis (10)
• Biological
o Increase bladder capacity and strengthen sphincter muscle with fluid retention exercises in the day and stopping midstream while urinating
o Limiting fluids at night
o Voiding before bedtime
o Waking during sleep to void
o Urine alarm (moisture pad)
o Medication
Imipramine (often relapse when discontinued)
Methylphenidate
• Pyschological
o Reflect and acknowledge child’s emotions (shame, frustration)
o Facilitate sense of control over problem
o Encourage responsibility for behaviour (help clean up)
o Motivate with positive reinforcement (star charts, praise)
• Social
o Encourage supportive parental involvement
o Psychoeducation about causes and management
o Reflect and acknowledge parent’s frustration
o Discourage teasing
o Address family problems (increase parents awareness)
o Modify environment (night light)
Presentation of lithium toxicity, side-effects of lithium (10)
• Lithium side effects o GIT: nausea and vomiting, diarrhea o Fine tremor o Weight gain o Oedema and sodium retention (increased aldosterone secretion) o Goiter o Hypothyroidism o Polyuria and polydipsia • Toxicity o Ataxia o Lethargy o Weakness o Drowsiness o Thirst o GI intolerance o Confunsion o Tremor o Hyperreflexia o Convulsions o Coma
Psychiatric drugs and risks of teratogenicity (5)
• Most psychiatric drugs are teratogenic to some effect
• Benzodiazepines are mostly category D
o Major congenital malformations (oral clefts)
• Mood stabilizers
o Carbamazepine (D): spina bifide, cleft palate
o Lamotrigine (C): Ebstein’s anomaly
o Valrpoate (D)
• Antidepressants
o Tricyclics (C)
o SSRIs (C/D): generally don’t increase the risk of major congenital malformation
• Antipsychotics
o Typicals
Chlorpromazine: generally no risk
Rest are C
o Atypicals
Generally class C
Clozaine is class B
• Category C = animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on fetus and no studies in humans, but benefits may outway the risk
• Category D = positive evidence of human fetal risk, but benefits may still outway risk