Psych Flashcards
Treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD)
serotonergic antidepressants and cognitive-behavioral therapy based on exposure and response prevention. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are 1st line meds (fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram, escitalopram)
First-line treatment for school-age children with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
stimulant medications such as methylphenidate and amphetamines) due to their efficacy, safety and tolerability.
Contract of safety
a contract where the patient agrees not to act on suicidal thoughts and seek help instead; beware that this may provide a false sense of security to the clinician and place the patient at risk in an unsupervised setting
Rett syndrome
occurs mainly in girls and is characterized by neurodevelopmental regression (loss of speech and purposeful hand movements, gait disturbance) after a period of normal development; seizures are also common and a MECP2 mutation on DNA analysis confirms the diagnosis
postpartum psychosis
characterized by an acute onset of delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized behavior w/i the first 2 weeks postpartum; it is typically accompanied by mood symptoms, agitation, and severe insomnia
symptoms of childhood depression
often associated with somatic symptoms such as stomach aches and headaches b/c children often have difficulty recognizing or discussing their emotions
treatment for childhood depression
consider inpatient treatment; any child w possible thoughts of SI must undergo emergency assessment for safety
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
characterized by cyclical mood swings, irritability, appetite changes, and physical discomfort that resolve after menses
Most common type of schizophrenia?
the paranoid type, remember symptoms (positive or negative) schizophrenia has to be occurring for at least 6 months, also the one with the best prognosis
Prevalence in society of schizophrenia
0.5% - 1%
Risk of the twin of a schizophrenic patient having schizophrenia?
50%
Risk of the non-twin sibling of a schizophrenic patient having schizophrenia?
10%
Neurobiology of positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
too much dopamine in the mesolimbic tract
Neurobiology of negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
too little dopamine in the mesocortical tracts
more than a week and less than a month of psychotic episodes
brief psychotic disorder, the shortest duration of a psychotic illness
