PSYCH Flashcards
What is psychosis?
= a syndrome characterised by a loss of contact with reality.
What are the key symptoms of psychosis?
Delusions = fixed, false, unshakeable beliefs
Hallucinations = perception of something in the absence of external stimuli
=> Auditory (most common), visual, smell, taste
Formal thought disorder = pattern of disordered language reflecting disordered thoughts.
What kind of delusions are common in psychosis?
Persecutory – being stalked/spied-on, etc.
Grandiose – elevated self-importance
Somatic – think something is physically wrong with themselves.
DDx of Psychosis
Organic cause - delirium, endocrine, medication-induced, epilepsy
Other Psychiatric Disorder -
=> Schizophrenia, Depression, Schizotypal disorder, Schizoaffective disorder, Delusional disorder
Substance-induce - e.g. cannabis, hallucinogens, caffeine, alcohol
Systemic - e.g. MS, SLE, HIV, hypoglycaemia, etc.
What medications can induce psychosis?
Dopamine agonists,
Corticosteroids,
Stimulants
Schizotypal disorder
disordered thoughts but hallucinations/delusions not prominent
Schizoaffective disorder
Prominent mood disorder alongside 1st rank schizophrenia symptoms
Delusional disorder
delusions not so bizarre and no hallucinations
Acute Transient Psychosis
= Sudden onset psychotic symptoms lasting <28 days, with no identifiable organic cause
Linked to stress
What is schizophrenia?
How common is it?
= a psychotic disorder characterised by the presence of first rank symptoms for >28 days with no organic cause.
- 1 in 1000
- M=F
- Peak = 23-26 years (then 30-40 years)
What are considered the 1st rank symptoms of schizophrenia?
Hallucinations (auditory):
=> 3rd person/being talked about
=> Thought echo / Running commentary
Delusional perception – attribute false meaning to an external stimulus.
Delusions of thought interference – insertion/withdrawal/broadcasting.
Passivity Phenomena:
=> Control of impulses/actions/feelings/sensations by an “external force”
Other symptoms of schizophrenia (i.e. not 1st rank)
Positive – delusions, hallucinations, formal thought disorder
Negative – blunted/flat affect, social withdrawal, poverty of speech, anhedonia, decreased motivation
Cognitive – poor attention, learning, problem solving
Motor – catatonic movements, waxy flexibility.
Schizophrenia - cause / risk factors
A mixture of genetics (80%) and environment.
RFs:
- FHx
- Obstetric complications, maternal illness in pregnancy, low birth weight
- Urban living, migration, adverse life events, poor pre-morbid personality, abnormal family dynamics
Schizophrenia - Prodrome
period of symptoms development but not yet at diagnostic criteria.
- Non-specific negative symptoms
- Distress/agitation
- Transient psychotic symptoms
Schizophrenia - Acute phase
relapsing and remitting positive and negative symptoms
Schizophrenia - outcomes
20% only have 1 episode
50% recover but relapse in future
30% develop chronic schizophrenia
10-15% commit suicide
Good Prognostic Factors for schizophrenia
Female Married Acute Onset Prominent mood symptoms Good premorbid personality Early Tx with good response
Poor Prognostic Factors for schizophrenia
Male and Unmarried FHx of schizophrenia Early onset or insidious onset Prominent negative symptoms Substance abuse Lack of insight/non-compliance
What are the aims of investigation in ?schizophrenia
- Establish if there is any organic cause
2. Prepare for Tx with antipsychotics
Schizophrenia - investigations
History (+ collateral Hx) and MSE
Physical examination
=> BMI, neurological
Bloods
=> FBC, U&E, LFT, TFT, glucose, lipids, cholesterol
Urine drug screen = most important
ECG
+/- brain scan, EEG
What is the most important investigation in diagnosis of schizophrenia?
Urine drug screen to rule out substance misuse as cause of Sx
Schizophrenia - management
- Biological:
=> Antipsychotics
=> Annual physical health review – smoking, alcohol, BP, BMI, bloods, ECG - Psychological:
=> CBT
=> Psychoeducation – signs of relapse, prevent relapse, crisis plans
=> Education and support for carers - Social:
=> OT assessment of functioning – ADLs, occupation, hobbies
=> Social assessment for housing, benefits, finances, education/career
Aims of management of schizophrenia
Recovery isn’t necessarily about completely stopping hallucinations/delusions, BUT rather:
- How to deal/cope with them
- Providing social support
- Reducing stigma
- Reducing risk to self and others
Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia
= no response to TWO different antipsychotics
- Check Dx, check compliance and check for substance misuse
- Mx = CLOZAPINE:
What are the most important side effects of the antipsychotic clozapine?
SEs – agranulocytosis, neutropaenia, cardiomyopathies
Patient will need weekly FBCs
Non-compliance in schizophrenia Tx
Can be due to:
- Side effects
- Lack of insight
- Delusions about medications/prescriber
- Gains remission and thinks medication no longer needed
Antipsychotics - mechanism of action
Block post-synaptic receptors in dopaminergic pathways.
=> Decreases psychotic symptoms
=> Can cause hyperprolactinaemia
=> Can cause extra-pyramidal side effects
The aim is to reduce positive and negative symptoms, with minimal side effects.
Typical/first generation antipsychotics
e.g. chlorpromazine, haloperidol, sulpiride, flupentixol, trifluperazine.
= D2 receptor antagonists
Side effects of Typical/first generation antipsychotics
Extrapyramidal SEs
Decreased seizure threshold
Sedation
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) = EMERGENCY
Apathy, confusion, depression
Dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urine retention
Arrythmias, hyperprolactinaemia, hypotension, weight gain
Extrapyramidal SEs
- Akathisia – uncontrollable urge to fidget (e.g. pacing, crossing and uncrossing legs) => Increased risk of suicide
- Acute dystonia – involuntary muscle spasms, causing abnormal movement/posture (fatal if laryngeal mm.)
- Parkinsonism – tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia
- Tardive Dyskinesia – involuntary hyperkinetic movements
Features of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
= EMERGENCY
- Hyperthermia
- Muscle rigidity
- Tremor
- Acidosis
- Tachycardia
- Confusion
Atypicals/Second Generation antispychotics
e.g. aripiprazole, onlanzapine, risperidone, clozapine
= D2 receptor antagonists +/- 5-HT receptor antagonists.
Side effects of Atypicals/Second Generation antispychotics
General – nausea, constipation, dizziness (postural hypotension) Weight gain Sedation Metabolic syndrome \+/- insomnia, hyperprolactinaemia
(Risperidone has EPSEs)
(Clozapine – agranulocytosis, neutropaenia, cardiomyopathy)
What is the 1st line class of antipsychotic and why?
Generally, atypicals are 1st line as they have the same efficacy but fewer EPSEs than 1st-generation antipsychotics.
Eating Disorders - Risk factors
- Adolescence (peak onset)
- Female (F:M = 10:1)
- Perfectionism
- Low self-esteem
- Early sexual development
- Hx of abuse
- Personality disorder
- Hx of eating disorder
- Exposure to “diet culture”
- Middle/upper class
Definition of anorexia nervosa
BMI <17.5
Persistent restriction of energy intake
Often excessive exercise
Intense fear of gaining weight/becoming fat
Lack of insight into seriousness of low BMI
DDx of anorexia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Depression, OCD, psychosis
- Body dysmorphic disorder
Anorexia nervosa - psychiatric Sx
Inflexible thinking, obsessions/habits, poor concentration, irritable/flattened mood, interests centred around food
Anorexia nervosa - cardiac Sx
Low BP and pulse
Increased risk of arrythmias/heart failure
Anorexia nervosa - reproductive Sx
Reduced libido,
Amenorrhoea/low testosterone,
Reproductive dysfunction
Anorexia nervosa - MSK Sx
Muscle wasting/cramp
IRREVERSIBLE osteopenia/osteoporosis
Anorexia nervosa - hair/skin Sx
Broken skin
Dry, brittle hair
Hair growth on face/body for warmth (Lanugo hair)
Anorexia nervosa - Other Sx
Cold extremities/hypothermia
Infections
Metabolic disturbances
Iron deficiency anaemia, leucopaenia, thrombocytopaenia
Anorexia Nervosa - Biological Management
Weight restoration
Regular monitoring
=> Weight, FBC, U&Es, LFT, glucose, (magnesium, Ca, CK, B12)
+/- DEXA scan
+/- ECG
What is there a risk of in weight restoration in anorexia?
Risk of refeeding syndrome
What might be identified on an ECG in anorexia?
Prolonged QTc,
HR <50,
arrythmias
Anorexia Nervosa - Psychological/social Management
Psychotherapies – CBT, motivational interviewing, mindfulness
Family therapy if <18 years old
SOCIAL - Involve family and friends for support, carer support.
Indications for hospitalisation in anorexia nervosa
BMI <13.5
Very deranged bloods
Syncope/arrythmias
Anorexia Nervosa - 10-year Prognosis
50% recovered
40% chronic problem
10% mortality (1/3 suicide)
Anorexia Nervosa - Poor prognostic factors
- Low body weight
- Bulimic features
- Family difficulties
- Personality problems
- Longer illness duration
Features of Bulimia Nervosa
Features = once a week (or more) of the following, for 3 months:
- Recurrent binge eating
- Recurrent compensatory behaviour (vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, fasting, exercise)
Bulimia Nervosa - Sx
Poor concentration, irritable
Tooth decay/erosion, hoarse voice, bleeding, swollen parotid glands (=> “chipmunk face”)
Callouses, scars, abrasions on backs of fingers due to self-induced vomiting.
Electrolyte imbalances:
=> Seizure, muscle paralysis, arrythmias
Swollen/painful stomach, constipation, delayed gastric emptying, oesophagitis, rectal prolapse, renal failure.
Bulimia Nervosa - Biological Mx
Anti-depressant – SSRI, usually fluoxetine.
Advise laxative and alcohol cessation
Regular monitoring
=> Weight, FBC, U&Es, LFT, glucose
Bulimia Nervosa - Psychological/social Mx
Psychoeducation – coping mechanisms
Psychotherapies – CBT, compassion-focussed, mindfulness
Social:
- Involve family/friends for support
- Carer support
Bulimia Nervosa - prognosis
10-year prognosis:
- 70% recovered
- 1% mortality
Poor prognostic factors:
- Low body weight
- Comorbid depression
Prevalence of depression
10-20%
Late 20s = peak onset
F:M = 2:1
Prognosis of depression
50% recover within 1 year
25% go on to have chronic depression (>2 years)
5-15% commit suicide
Core symptoms of depression
- Low Mood (worse in the morning)
- Anhedonia
- Fatigue
Other symptoms of depression
Guilt/hopelessness Appetite changes (weight loss/gain) Poor memory, pessimism, psychosis Sleep disturbances Self-harm/suicidal thoughts Self-esteem = low
ICD-10 criteria for depression
symptoms for 2+ weeks:
- Mild – 2 core and 2 other
- Moderate – 2/3 core and 3/4 other
- Severe – 3 core and 5 other
What are the 3 biggest risk factors for depression?
Life events
FHx
Substance misuse
Risk Factors for depression
Social – life events, isolation, loss, childhood abuse
Biological – FHx, hormonal changes, chronic/severe illness
Psychological – negative thoughts, high expressed emotion, criticism, personality disorder
Medications – steroids, antipsychotics, substance misuse
Depression - differentials
Psychiatric – dementia, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, SAD, bipolar
Neurological – PD, MS, head injury, cerebral tumour
Endocrine – hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism, Cushing’s, Addison’s
Infections – HIV/AIDs, glandular fever, STIs
Systemic – malignancies, SLE, RA, renal failure
Management of depression - biological
Biological Interventions:
- Antidepressants
- Atypical antipsychotics (if psychosis)
- Augmentation with Lithium (Tx resistant)
Management of depression - psychological
Psychoeducation CBT Mindfulness Sleep hygiene Self-help (e.g. apps)
Management of depression - social
Support for education, training, employment
Support for housing/benefits
Carer support – info, support groups, assessment
CPN (monitor Sx, mood, mental state) if severe
Mild/ moderate depression - management
Manage in Primary care
Low-intensity psychological interventions
Consider 1st line medication (SSRI)
When is an SSRI not indicated in depression
SSRI is not indicated if only mild/subthreshold symptoms for <2 years and no Hx of depression.
Moderate/severe Depression or Tx-resistant - management
Manage in primary care (may consider referral to 2o)
1st line medication (SSRI) or alternative
High-intensity psychological interventions
Severe depression - Management
Inpatient or Crisis Resolution and Home treatment
1st line medication or alternatives/adjuncts
High intensity psychological interventions
?ECT
Counselling newly diagnosed depression patients
Make sure you have a good Hx and risk assessment
Be aware of stigma
Explain different courses, outcomes, treatments
Remain positive and highlight the benefits of Tx
What is important to do before starting anti-depressant Tx?
Rule out bipolar before starting antidepressant monotherapy!
Starting anti-depressants
- Consider SEs, cautions, CIs
- Start an effective but tolerated dose
=> Trial for 3-4 weeks before deciding if it is working
=> 70% will respond to 1st Tx - Review regularly
Anti-depressant withdrawal
DO NOT STOP ABRUPTLY – taper dose over 4 weeks
Withdrawal symptoms particularly noticeable with paroxetine and venlafaxine.
- Dizzy, numb/tingling
- Nausea/vomiting
- Headache
- Sweating, shaking
- Anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
How long should anti-depressants be used for?
Continue for at least 6 months after resolution of Sx.
SSRIs - mechanism of action
How long does it take to take effect?
Inhibit pre-synaptic 5-HT reuptake.
Take up to 6 weeks for effect.
Sx may worsen before improving.
SSRIs - side effects, cautions, CIs
SEs – nausea, headaches, drowsiness, insomnia, diarrhoea, dizziness, SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION, restlessness
Cautions – Long QTc, bleeding disorders (especially citalopram)
CIs – poorly controlled epilepsy.
=> Paroxetine = teratogenic
Which medication is 1st line for depression
SSRIs (due to fewer SEs)
Although TCAs are 1st line in pregnancy
SNRIs - mechanism of action
Inhibit 5-HT and NA reuptake
Which medication is 2nd line for depression?
SNRIs (venlafaxine, duloxetine)
SNRIs - side effects, cautions, CIs
SEs – more prominent sedation and sexual dysfunction, and same as SSRIs.
Cautions – diabetes, uncontrolled HTN, bleeding disorders, epilepsy
TCAs - mechanism of action
Inhibit 5-HT and NA reuptake
TCAs - side effects, cautions, CIs
SEs – sedation, weight gain, dizziness, HTN, delirium, antimuscarinic SEs
Cautions – bipolar, diabetes, epilepsy, high suicide risk (dangerous in overdose)
CIs – arrythmias, heart block, post-MI
MAOIs - mechanism of action and use
Irreversible MAO A & B inhibition
Tx resistant/atypical depression
MAOIs - side effects, cautions, CIs
SEs – nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, dry mouth, sleep disturbance, postural hypotension, headache
Cautions – bleeding disorders, diabetes, elderly
Interact with many drugs/tyramine containing foods (hypertensive crisis) => so not often used
NaSSA (mirtazapine) - mechanism of action and use
Alpha2-receptor antagonist – increases NA and 5-HT
Adjunct in Tx-resistant depression
NaSSA (mirtazapine) - side effects, cautions
SEs – increased appetite and weight gain, sedation
Cautions – diabetes, seizures, urinary retention, elderly
Alcohol and antidepressants
With SSRIs and SNRIs advise against alcohol as this will have additive sedation effects.
St John’s Wort
= an unlicenced herbal remedy for treating depression => some evidence of efficacy but difficult to guide on dosing.
Cytochrome P450 inducer, causing metabolism and therapy failure of OCP, digoxin, warfarin, phenytoin, carbamazepine.
Acute Stress Reaction
= a brief response (<1 month) to a severely stressful event
What is the link between acute stress reaction and PTSD?
~80% formally diagnosed with acute stress reaction develop PTSD.
Acute Stress Reaction - Sx
(overlap with anxiety/depression Sx)
- Numbness, detachment, decreased concentration, derealisation.
- Insomnia, restlessness, anger
- Autonomic Symptoms
Acute Stress Reaction - Coping strategies
- Avoid thinking/speaking of event
- Denial/cannot remember event
- Alcohol
Acute Stress Reaction - Mx
- Taking to friends/family/professionals to relieve anxiety
- Encourage recall
- Learning effective coping strategies
Anxiolytics (if severe anxiety)
Hypnotics (if insomnia)
Adjustment Disorder
= physiological reaction to adapting to a new set of circumstances (e.g. new job/home, divorce, bereavement).
Starts within 3 months (more gradual than acute stress reaction)
Adjustment Disorder - Sx
(overlap with anxiety/depression Sx)
- Autonomic symptoms
- Irritability/aggressive outbursts
- Social functioning impaired
Adjustment Disorder - Coping strategies
Alcohol/drug abuse
Adjustment Disorder - Mx
Talking to friends/family/professionals to relieve anxiety
Help natural process of adjustment – avoid denial/avoidance, encourage problem solving behaviour
What is the normal bereavement process?
- Alarm/panic
- Numbness
- Pining
- Depression
- Recover/reorganisation
Abnormal grief
Symptoms of normal grief, persisting >6 months
=> Low mood, guilt, worthlessness, disturbed sleep and appetite, suicidal thoughts
Significant psychomotor retardation
Prolonged, serious functional impairment
Hallucinatory experiences other than those relating to the deceased person
What is abnormal grief, which does not meet the depression criteria?
this is considered to be an adjustment reaction
What is PTSD?
= delayed (often a few months) response to a stressful event of an exceptionally threatening/catastrophic nature (an event which would distress anyone).
Symptoms persists >6 months after the event.
Symptoms of PTSD
- HYPERAROUSAL – persistent anxiety, irritability, insomnia, poor concentration.
- RE-EXPERIENCING – “flashbacks”, recurrent dreams, cannot recall event at own will
- AVOIDANCE – of reminders, detachment, numbness, anhedonia
Complex PTSD
Complex PTSD has an added emotional element – often resulting from ongoing/multiple experiences of “trauma” (e.g. abuse)
PTSD - coping strategies
Alcohol/drug abuse
PTSD - prognosis
50% recover in 1st year
Poor prognosis if comorbid mental illness, long duration, poor support
PTSD - Mx
- Psychological – psychoeducation, CBT, eye movement desensitisation reprocessing.
- Biological – antidepressants (SSRI) +/- antipsychotic
- Social – educate family, social reintegration, alcohol avoidance
Indications for ECT
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Life-threatening severe depression
- Treatment-resistant mania
- Catatonia
What is catatonia?
What forms can this come in?
Catatonia is a psychomotor syndrome occurring in acute psychiatric illness.
RETARDED – immobility, staring, mutism, rigidity, withdrawal and refusal to eat, posturing, grimacing, negativism, waxy flexibility, echolalia, automatic obedience
EXCITED – severe psychomotor agitation, potentially leading to life-threatening complications such as hyperthermia, altered consciousness, and autonomic dysfunction.
What is the most common indication for ECT?
depression
How often do ECT sessions occur?
A patient will typically receive between 4 and 12 sessions in a course of ECT.
The sessions usually occur twice per week.
How does ECT work?
The exact mechanism of action of ECT is unknown.
The mechanism of action is likely to be a combination of:
- Modulation of neurotransmitter functioning
- Changes in regional blood/activity
- Modulation of neuronal connectivity
- Alterations of neuronal structures, including hippocampal neurogenesis
Why is the use of ECT falling?
ECT remains to be quite an effective treatment, especially for depression.
Decreased usage is likely to be due to:
- increasingly available treatments,
- concerns over side-effects
- public/clinicians’ perceptions.
What is an absolute contraindication for ECT?
cochlear implant
What are relative contraindications for ECT?
- Raised intracranial pressure
- Intracranial aneurysm
- History of cerebral haemorrhage
- Recent myocardial infarction (less than 3 months)
- Aortic aneurysm
- Uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias
- Decompensated cardiac failure (ECHO may be helpful)
- Acute respiratory infection
- Deep vein thrombosis
Common side effects of ECT
- Headache
- Confusion
- Impaired cognitive function
- Temporary retrograde and anterograde amnesia
Longer-term side-effects of ECT
a specific component of retrograde memories before ECT may be affected longer term, this usually related to autobiographical memories
What is an important side effect to mention to patients when explaining/gaining consent for ECT?
Though the evidence for this is somewhat inconsistent, patients should ALWAYS be advised that their memory of some events in the previous years could potentially be affected.
What are the two different types of ECT?
Which is more effective?
BILATERAL ECT – one pad on each side.
UNILATERAL ECT – both pads on one side.
=> Bilateral placement is probably more effective but may well give rise to more cognitive side-effects.
Give a brief explanation of the ECT process
ECT is given in a hospital setting, under anaesthetic with muscle relaxant. A mouth guard is used to protect the tongue/teeth
Two electrical pads are placed on the patient’s head.
The ECT machine delivers a series of brief electrical pulses, for three to eight seconds, to induce a seizure
The patient’s body will stiffen and then there will be twitching, but the muscle relaxant reduces the amount of movement involved.
=> This usually lasts for less than 90 seconds.
The muscle relaxant wears off within a couple of minutes. The mouth guard will then be removed, and the patient will recover from the anaesthesia
How is the dose of ECT decided?
During the first session of ECT, a dose titration is carried out to establish the seizure threshold.
The effective treatment dose can then be calculated.
what is echolalia?
repetition of another person’s speech
what is echopraxia?
mimicry of another person’s movements
Acute Intoxication
= transient physical and mental abnormalities shortly after administration.
Harmful substance use
= continued use despite evidence of damage to physical/mental health or social wellbeing.
Substance withdrawal
= physical dependence causes symptoms on abrupt cessation
Substance tolerance
= need to take more of the drug to have the same effect.
ICD-10 criteria for substance dependence syndrome
5/6 in the past year of:
- Tolerance
- Control loss
- Primacy (i.e. priority in life)
- Tremor (withdrawal Sx)
- Compulsion
- Persistence despite harm
What is the trend of drinking in the younger/older populations?
Younger people drink more heavily, older people drink more frequently.
Risk Factors for alcohol misuse
Genetics and gender – M>F
Mental illness
Stress, low self-esteem, social anxiety/isolation
Significant life events – bereavement, trauma
Lower socio-economic status
Occupation – bartenders, farmers, healthcare professionals
Medical complications of alcohol misuse
CNS – cognitive/memory impairment, reduced brain volume, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
PNS – peripheral neuropathy, optic atrophy
Hepatic – fatty liver, hepatitis, cirrhosis, malignancy, pancreatitis
Gastric – gastritis/ulcer, malignancy, varices, Barret’s, Mallory-Weiss tear
Renal – CKD, hepato-renal syndrome
CVS – cardiomyopathy, arrythmias, HF, cerebrovascular events
Reproductive – sexual dysfunction, infertility, foetal alcohol syndrome
Psychiatric complications of alcohol misuse
Alcoholic Hallucinosis
Pathological jealousy
Alcohol-related Brain Damage (cognitive/memory impairment and dementia)
Anxiety & Depression
Suicide (10-15% risk)
Schizophrenia (increases risk of relapse and violence)
Alcoholic hallucinosis
hallucinations while sober (usually auditory)
=> Responds well to anti-psychotics
Pathological jealousy
Primary delusion that partner is unfaithful
Associated with violence.
Social complications of alcohol misuse
Relationship problems Domestic violence Risky sexual activity Missed work/poor performance Financial and legal problems
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome - why does it occur and what are the features?
Due to thiamine (vit B1) deficiency – due to poor diet and decreased absorption/hepatic storage.
Wernicke’s Encephalopathy:
- Acute confusion
- Ophthalmoplegia/nystagmus
- Ataxic gait
Progresses to Korsakoff Syndrome:
- Antero/retrograde amnesia
- Confabulation (false memories)
- Apathy (indifference/decreased interest)
15% mortality if left untreated
Treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
IV Pabrinex (Vit B&C) and alcohol withdrawal Tx
Alcohol misuse History
- Lifetime pattern of consumption
- Current pattern of consumption
- Signs of dependence:
Withdrawal Sx in morning/after not drinking
Having to drink more for the same effect
Episodes of memory loss/blackouts - Social/Occupational problems
- Any previous services or Tx ?
What are 4 screening questions to detect alcohol misuse?
= CAGE
- CUT DOWN – have you ever felt you should cut down your drinking?
- ANNOYED – have you ever been annoyed with others criticising your drinking?
- GUILTY – have you ever felt bad/guilty about your drinking?
- EYE OPENER – have you ever drunk first thing in the morning?
Alcohol Withdrawal Sx
Last 2-5 days.
Tremor, restless, sweating, tachycardia, insomnia, N&V
Anxiety, confusion, visual hallucinations
Delirium Tremens
Can occur during alcohol withdrawal
= EMERGENCY ADMISSION
Decreased consciousness, amnesia, hallucinations
Tremor, fever
Mx = lorazepam PO, thiamine, hydration and investigations to r/o other causes of delirium.