Psych Flashcards
What are the two main classification systems for mental disorders?
- ICD-10
- DSM-5
Give 2 examples of biological approaches to psychiatric management
- Pharmacological therapy
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Definition: ECT
Electroconvulsive therapy
* done under general anesthesia
* small electric currents are passed through the brain, triggering a brief seizure
* causes change in brain chemistry
Give 2 examples of psychological approaches to psychiatric management
- Counselling
- Psychoeducation
- Psychotherapies e.g. CBT
Give 2 examples of social approaches to psychiatric management
- Support groups/self-help groups
- social services input e.g. financial, housing
Definition: Mood
Refers to a patient’s sustained, experienced emotional state over a period of time
Definition: Affect
Refers to the transient flow of emotion in response to a particular stimulus
When are fluctuations in mood considered as a mood disorder?
When the disturbance of mood is severe enough to cause impairment in the ADLs
Definition: Mood disorder
Any condition characterized by distorted, excessive or inappropriate moods or emotions for a sustained period of time
* also known as an affective disorder
Give 2 examples of affective disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
Definition: Depression
Affective mood disorder characterized by persistent low mood, loss of pleasure and lack of energy accompanied by emotional, cognitive and biological symptoms
Definition: Dysthymia
A milder, but more chronic form of depression (>2 years)
Aetiology: Give 5 biological risk factors for depression
- Family Hx of depression
- Female
- Parkinson’s, MS, hypothyroidism
- Neuroendocrine: overactive HPA axis
- Medications: beta-blockers, steroids
Aetiology: Give 5 psychological risk factors for depression
- Personality traits: dependent, anxious, obsessional, impulsive
- Childhood trauma
- Traumatic life events
- Low self-esteem
- Lack of education
Aetiology: Give 3 examples of social risk factors for depression
- Poor social support
- Poor socioeconomic status
- Marital status: separated/divorced
Clinical features: Name the 3 core symptoms of depression
- Low mood
- Anhedonia: lack of interest in previously enjoyed things
- Lack of energy
Clinical features: Name 5 biological symptoms of depression
- Diurnal mood changes (DVM): usually worse in the morning
- Early morning wakening: 2-3 hrs earlier than usual
- Psychomotor retardation: slow speech/movement
- Loss of libido
- Weight loss
- Appetite loss
Clinical features: Name 4 cognitive symptoms of depression
- Lack of concentration
- Negative thoughts
- Excessive guilt
- Suicidal ideation
Clinical features: Name 2 psychotic symptoms of depression
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
DDx: Name 5 psychiatric differentials of depression
- Depressive episode linked to substance/medication use
- Bipolar affective disorder
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Bereavement
- Anxiety disorders
DDx: Name 3 organic illness differentials of depression
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing’s disease or syndrome
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
Investigations: how to form a clinical diagnosis of depression
- Diagnostic questionnaires e.g. PHQ-9
- Blood tests: FBC (anaemia), TFTs (hypothypothyroidism - elevated TSH ), glucose (diabetes can cause anergia)
- Imaging: MRI or CT (where there is atypical presentation or features of an intracranial lesion)
Tx: What is the short-term management for mild depression?
Low-intensity psychosocial interventions:
* Group/individual CBT
* Counselling
* Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRI): only if Hx of moderate/severe depression or mild depression present for at least 2 years/present after other interventions
Tx: What is the 1st line drug treatment for depression?
SSRI: Fluoxetine
What SSRI is best to give to someone after an MI?
Sertraline - doesn’t affect conduction of the heart (doesn’t prolong QT)
Tx: What is the long-term management for depression?
- Risk assessment
- Ongoing review of psychosocial intervention
- Relapse prevention plan
- Assess for social support
- Review antidepressant compliance, side effects etc
Tx: What is the short-term management for moderate/severe depression?
- Combination of CBT and an antidepressant
- Individual CBT
- Individual behavioural activation
- Antidepressants alone
- Counselling
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- If presenting with psychotic Sx, then antipsychotic should be used
Name 2 antipsychotic drugs
- Quetiapine
- Olanzapine
Who would you not give olanzapine to?
A diabetic because it can cause high blood sugar
When should Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) be considered?
In severe cases of depression where:
* Rapid Tx is needed e.g. life-threatening where Pt isn’t eating or drinking
* Pt has a strong preference to ECT
* Multiple other Tx have been unsuccessful
Definition: Bipolar disorder
Chronic episodic mood disorder characterized by at least one episode of mania (or hypomania) and a further episode of mania or depression.
Aetiology: Give 5 risk factors for bipolar disorder
- Genetics/family Hx
- Anxiety disorders
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Stressful life events (not specific to bipolar)
- Post-partum period
What are the two main forms of bipolar disorder?
- Bipolar I: Pt has experienced at least one episode of mania
- Bipolar II: Pt has experienced at least one episode of hypomania, but never an episode of mania.
- Both must also have experienced at least one episode of major depression
What is cyclothymia?
A disorder characterised by a persistent instability of mood involving numerous periods of depression and mild elation
None of which are sufficiently severe or prolonged enough to justify a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder
**
Clinical Features: Name 5 symptoms of mania
- Elevated mood
- Increased activity level
- Grandiose delusions of self-importance
- Pressure of speech
- Decreased need for sleep
- Marked distractibility
- Increased libido
- Reckless behaviour and spending
- Can also occur alongside psychotic symptoms
Clinical Features: Name 4 symptoms of hypomania
- Persistent, mild elevation of mood
- Increased energy and activity
- Increased sociability, talkativeness
- Increased libido
DDx: Name 6 differentials for bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia (delusions and hallucinations)
- Organic brain disorder (frontal lobe pathologies can result in a loss of social inhibitions)
- Drug use
- Recurrent depression
- Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD)/borderline personality disorder (characterised by affective instability)
- Cyclothymia
Investigations: Name 5 investigations for bipolar disorder
- Baseline blood tests: FBC,U&E,LFTs,TFTs,CRP,B12,folate,vitD
- HIV testing
- Toxicology screen
- Neurological exam
- CT head
Tx: Name 3 types of biological treatments for bipolar disorder
- Antipsychotics: olanzapine, risperidone, quetiapine, haloperidol
- Mood stabilisers: lithium (sodium valproate can be added)
- Benzodiazepines: lorazepam
Tx: Name 3 other treatments for bipolar disorder
- ECT
- CBT
- support groups
What do you need to monitor for when treating a patient with lithium?
Kidney function and thyroid function
Every 6 months
Definition: Psychosis
A mental state in which reality is greatly distorted
Aetiology: Name 4 non-organic causes of psychosis
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Mood disorders with psychosis
- Drug-induced psychosis
Aetiology: Name 5 organic causes of psychosis
- Drug-induced psychosis: alcohol, cocaine, amphetamine, MDMA
- Iatrogenic (medication)
- Delerium
- Dementia
- Huntington’s disease
- Endocrine disturbance e.g. Cushing’s syndrome
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
Aetiology: Name 4 medicitions that can cause psychosis
- Levodopa
- Methyldopa
- Steroids
- Antimalarials
Clinical features: How does psychosis present?
“abnormality of perception/thought”
* Delusions
* Hallucinations
* Thought disorder
Definition: Delusion
A fixed, false belief in something that is not within their usual belief system
Definition: Hallucination
A perception in the absence of an external stimulus
Definition: Pseudohallucination
Involuntary sensory experience vivid enough to be regarded as a hallucination, but is recognised by the person as being subjective and unreal
Definition: Illusion
An incorrect perception of a ‘real’ external stimulus
Name 5 types of delusions
- Persecutory: believing others want to harm them
- Grandiose: exaggerated sense of one’s importance/power/knowledge/identity
- Somatic: believing something is wrong with/missing on their body
- Jealous: believing partner is unfaithful without reason
- Erotomanic: believing someone of a higher social status is in love with them
Definition: Schizophrenia
Most common psychotic condition characterised by hallucinations, delusions and thought disorders, which lead to functional impairment
Definition: Schizoaffective disorder
Characterised by both symptoms of schizophrenia and a mood disorder (depression/mania) in the same episode of illness
Aetiology: Name 4 risk factors for developing schizophrenia
- Family Hx
- Obstetric complications/fetal injury/intrauterine infection
- Stressful life events
- Substance misuse e.g. cannabis
What are the 6 subtypes of schizophrenia?
- Paranoid (most common)
- Hebephrenic
- Catatonic
- Undifferentiated
- Simple
- Residual
Clinical features: What are Schneider’s first rank symptoms? (4)
- Delusional perception
- 3rd person auditory hallucinations
- Thought interference: insertion, withdrawal, broadcasting
- Passivity phenomenon/somatic passivity: feelings/actions/impulses are controlled by an external agent
Definition: Delusional perception
Person believes that a normal percept has a special meaning for them
Clinical features: What is the difference between positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
- Positive symptoms represent an excess or distortion of normal function (i.e. a change in behaviour or thought)
- Negative symptoms refer to a decline in normal functioning
Clinical features: Name 5 positive symptoms of schizophrenia
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Formal thought disorder
- Thought interference
- Passivity phenomenon
Clinical features: Name 5 negative symptoms of schizophrenia
- Social isolation
- Decreased motivation
- Blunted affect
- Alogia: poverty of speech
- Anhedonia
Ix: What investigations are used to rule out other causes of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia? (7)
- Blood tests (FBC,TFTs,U&E,LFTs,CRP, fasting glucose)
- Urine culture: rule out UTI causing delirium
- Urine drug screen: rule out drug intoxication
- HIV testing
- Syphilis serology
- Serum lipids: before starting antipsychotics
- Relevant imaging: CT head
What is required to form a diagnosis of schizophrenia?
- A first-rank symptom or persistent delusion present for at least one month
- No other cause for psychosis e.g. drug intoxication/withdrawal, brain disease, extensive depressive or manic symptoms
Tx: What is the general management of schizophrenia?
Care programme approach
* Assessing health and social needs
* Creating a care plan
* Appointing a key worker to be the first point of contact
* Reviewing treatment
Several MDTs may be involved: early intervention team, community mental health team, crisis resolution team
Tx: What drug type is used to treat schizophrenia?
D2 receptor antagonists
D2 = dopamine
Tx: What is the difference between typical and atypical antipsychotics?
- Typical antipsychotics cause generalised dopamine receptor blockade
- Atypical antipsychotics are more selective in their dopamine blockade. They also block serotonin 5-HT2 receptors
Tx: Name 3 typical antipsychotics
- Haloperidol
- Chlorpromazine
- Loxapine
Tx: Name 4 atypical antipsychotics
- Olanzapine
- Risperidone
- Clozapine
- Quetiapine
Tx: Why are atypical antipsychotics preferred over typical antipsychotics?
Fewer and less severe side effects
Tx: Name 5 side effects of typical antipsychotics
- Extrapyramidal side effects (EPSEs): parkinsonism, akathisia, dystonia, dyskinesia
- Hyperprolactinaemia: sexual dysfunction, increased risk of osteoporosis, amenorrhoea, gynaecomastia & hypogonadism in men
- Metabolic SEs: weight gain, hyperlipidaemia
- Anticholinergic SEs: tachycardia, dry mouth, urinary retention
Tx: What drug is used when both typical and atypical antipsychotics have been ineffective in treating schizophrenia?
Clozapine
What can clozapine cause?
- Agranulocytosis
- hypersalivation
- constipation
- cardiomyopathy
Definition: Neurosis
Collective term for psychiatric disorders characterised by distress that are:
- non-organic
- have a discrete onset
- where delusions and hallucinations are absent
Definition: Anxiety
An unpleasant emotional state involving subjective fear and somatic symptoms
When is anxiety described as an illness?
If it becomes excessive or inappropriate
What does the Yerkes-Dodson law state?
Anxiety can actually be beneficial up to a plateau of optimal functioning. Beyond this level, performance deteriorates
Clinical features: Name 5 common symptoms of neuroses
- Psychological: fear of impending doom, worrying thoughts, restlessness, poor concentration/attention, irritability
- Cardiovascular: palpitations, chest pain
- Respiratory: hyperventilation, tight chest
- GI: abdominal pain, N+V, loose stools
- GU: more frequent urination, failure of erection
- Neuromuscular: tremor, myalgia, headache, parasthesia
What are the 2 main categories anxiety disorders can be divided into?
- Generalised anxiety: present most of the time, not associated with specific objects/situations, typically longer duration
- Paroxysmal anxiety: has an abrupt onset, occurs in short-lived, discrete episodes
Name 5 medical conditions associated with anxiety
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypoglycaemia
- Anaemia
- Phaeochromocytoma
- Cushing’s disease
- COPD
- Malignancies
Name 3 substance-related conditions associated with anxiety
- Intoxication: alcohol, cannabis, caffeine
- Withdrawal: alcohol, caffeine
- Side effects: thyroxine, steroids, adrenaline
Name 5 psychiatric conditions associated with anxiety
- Eating disorders
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- OCD
- PTSD
Definition: Generalised anxiety disorder
A syndrome of ongoing, uncontrollable, widespread worry about events or thoughts that the patient recognises as excessive and inappropriate
How long must symptoms be present for to be classified as GAD?
Most days for at least 6 months
Aetiology: Name 2 biological causes of GAD
- Genetics: 5-fold increase in GAD in first degree relatives of Pt with GAD
- Neurophysiological: autonomic NS dysfunction, exaggerated responses in amygdala and hippocampus
Aetiology: Name 2 environmental causes of GAD
- Stressful life events: Hx of child abuse, relationship problems, personal illness, employment/finances, living alone/as a single parent
- Substance dependence
Clinical features: Name 6 symptoms of GAD concerning the chest and abdomen
- Difficulty breathing
- Feeling of choking
- Chest pain/discomfort
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Loose motions
Clinical features: Name 4 symptoms of GAD concerning the brain/mind
- Feeling dizzy/light-headed
- Fear of dying
- Fear of losing control
- Derealisation and depersonalisation
Clinical features: Name 3 general symptoms of GAD
- Hot flushes / cold chills
- Numbness / tingling
- Headache
Clinical features: Name 5 symptoms of tension in GAD
- Muscle tension, aches, pains
- Restlessness
- Feeling on edge
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sensation of lump in throat
Clinical features: Name 4 non-specific symptoms of GAD
- Being startled
- Concentration difficulty / mind blanks
- Persistent irritability
- Sleep problems
Ix: Name 5 investigations for GAD
- Bloods: FBC (infection/anaemia), TFTs (hyperthyroidism), glucose (hypoglycaemia)
- ECG: may show sinus tachycardia
- Questionnaires: GAD-7, Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS)
DDx: Name 7 differentials for GAD
- Other neurotic disorders: panic disorder, specific phobias, OCD, PTSD
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- Personality disorder: anxious PD, dependent PD
- Excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption
- Withdrawal from drugs
- Organic: anaemia, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycaemia, phaeochromocytoma
Tx: What is the stepped care model for the management of GAD?
- Psychoeducation and active monitoring
- Low-intensity psychological interventions: self-help
- High-intensity psychological interventions: CBT or drug treatment
- Combination of drug and psychological therapies
Tx: What is the first line drug used to treat GAD?
SSRI: sertraline
Has anxiolytic effects
Tx: What is the biological treatment of GAD?
- SSRI: sertraline
- If this doesn’t help –> SNRI: venlafaxine/duloxetine
- If both ineffective –> pregabalin
Meds should be used for at least a year
Tx: When should benzodiazepines be offered to treat GAD?
Only as short-term measures during crises as they can cause dependence
Definition: Phobia
An intense, irrational fear of an object, situation, place or person that is recognised as excessive or unreasonable
Definition: Agoraphobia
Fear of public spaces from which immediate escape would be difficult in the event of a panic attack
Definition: Social phobia/ Social anxiety disorder
A fear of social situations which may lead to humiliation, critisism or embarrassment
Definition: Specific (isolated) phobia
A fear restricted to a specific object or situation
Give 4 types of common specific phobias and examples of each
- Animals: spiders, dogs, birds
- Nature: thunder, water
- Injury: sight of blood, illness, needles
- Situational: closed spaces, heights, darkness
Aetiology: Name 6 risk factors for phobias
- Adverse experiences (with specific objects/situations)
- Stress/ negative life events
- Mood disorders
- Other anxiety disorders
- Substance misuse
- Family Hx
Clinical features: Name 5 symptoms of phobias
- Tachycardia (however in phobias of blood/injury/illness a vasovagal response is produced - bradycardia which can lead to syncope)
- Unpleasant anticipatory anxiety
- Inability to relax
- Urge to avoid the feared situation
- Fear of dying
Ix: What questionnaires are used when diagnosing phobias?
- Social phobia inventory
- Liebowitz social anxiety scale
DDx: Name 5 differentials of phobias
- Panic disorder
- PTSD
- Anxious PD
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
Tx: What is the management of the 3 phobic anxiety disorders?
- CBT
- Gradual exposure
- SSRIs for agoraphobia and social phobia
- Benzodiazepines may be used in the short-term for specific phobias e.g. claustrophobic but need a CT scan
What are SNRIs?
Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors
venlafaxine, duloxetine
Tx: What drug is used to treat social phobia if SSRIs and SNRIs are ineffective?
MAOI: moclobemide
monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Definition: Panic disorder
Disorder characterised by recurrent, episodic, severe panic attacks, which are unpredictable and not restricted to any particular situation.
Aetiology: Name 3 biological causes of panic disorder
- Genetics
- Neurochemical: post synaptic hypersensitivity to serotonin and adrenaline
- Sympathetic NS: fear/worry stimulates SNS –> increased cardiac output –> further anxiety
Aetiology: Name 8 risk factors for panic disorder
- Family Hx
- Female
- White ethnicity
- Age 20-30
- Major life events
- Recent trauma
- Asthma
- Medication e.g. benzodiazepine withdrawal
Clinical features: How long do panic disorder symptoms usually last?
Symptoms usually peak within 10 minutes and rarely persist beyond an hour
Clinical features: Name 10 symptoms of panic disorder
- Palpitations
- Intense fear of death
- Chest pain
- Sweating
- Shaking
- Shortness of breath
- Abdominal distress
- Depersonalisation/derealisation
- Numbness
- Nausea
DDx: Name 5 differentials for panic disorder
- Psychiatric: other anxiety disorders, bipolar, depression, schizophrenia
- Organic: Phaeochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycaemia, arrhythmias, alcohol/substance withdrawal
Tx: What is the drug management of panic disorder?
- SSRI is 1st line
- If these don’t work after 12 weeks, then consider a TCA (imipramine/clomipramine)
Tx: Name 2 examples of a TCA used to treat panic disorder
- Imipramine
- Clomipramine
Definition: Post traumatic stress disorder
An intense, prolonged, delayed reaction following exposure to an exceptionally traumatic event
Definition: Abnormal bereavement
Has a delayed onset, is more intense and is prolonged (>6 months)
Definition: Acute stress reaction
An abnormal reaction to sudden stressful events
Definition: Adjustment disorder
When there is significant distress accompanied by an impairment in social functioning when adapting to new circumstances
Give 5 risk factors for PTSD
- Exposure to a major traumatic event: professions at risk (army, police, doctors), groups at risk (refugees, asylum seekers)
- Previous trauma
- Hx of mental illness
- Childhood abuse
- Post-trauma –> absence of social support, concurrent life stressors
Clinical features: Name the 4 categories of PTSD symptoms
Must occur within 6 months of the event
- Reliving the situation: flashbacks, vivid memories, nightmares
- Avoidance: avoiding reminders of trauma (e.g. associated people/locations), inability to recall aspects of the trauma
- Hyperarousal: irritability/outbursts, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping, hypervigilance, exaggerated startle response
- Emotional numbing: negative thoughts about oneself, difficulty experiencing emotions, feeling detached from others, giving up previously enjoyed activities
Ix: Name 3 investigations for PTSD
- Trauma screening questionnaire (TSQ)
- ** Post-traumatic diagnostic scale**
- CT head (if head injury suspected)
DDx: Name 5 differentials for PTSD (8)
- Adjustment disorder
- Acute stress reaction
- Bereavement
- Dissociative disorder
- Mood or anxiety disorders
- Personality disorder
- Head injury
- Alcohol/substance misuse
Tx: What is the management of PTSD where symptoms are present within 3 months of trauma?
- Watchful waiting (< 4 weeks)
- Trauma-focused CBT (8-12 sessions)
- Short-term drug Tx for managing sleep disturbance (e.g. zopiclone)
- Risk assessment (assess risk for neglect/suicide)
Tx: What is the management of PTSD where symptoms have been present > 3 months after trauma?
Trauma-focused psychological intervention
2 options:
* CBT
* EMDR
Drug Tx considered when:
* Little benefit from psychological therapy
* Patient preference
* Co-morbid depression / severe hyperarousal
Tx: What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing
* helps patient access and process traumatic memories
* involves recalling emotionally traumatic material while focusing on an external stimulus
Tx: Name 4 drugs used to treat PTSD
- Sertraline
- Paroxetine
- Venlafaxine
- Fluoxetine
Definition: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Disorder characterised by recurrent obsessional thoughts and/or compulsive acts
Definition: Obsessions
Unwanted intrusive thoughts, images or urges that repeatedly enter the individual’s mind.
They are distressing for the Pt who attempts to resist them and recognises them as absurd (egodystonic) and a product of their own mind
Definition: Compulsions
Repetitive, stereotyped behaviours or mental acts that a person feels driven to perform.
- They are overt (observable by others) or covert (mental acts not observable)
Aetiology: Name 3 potential causes of OCD
- Family Hx
- Streptococcal infections
- Stressful life events
Clinical features: Name the 4 features that obsessions/compulsions always share
- Failure to resist
- Originate from the patient’s mind
- Repetitive and distressing
- Carrying out the obsessive thought/compulsive act is not in itself pleasurable, but reduces anxiety levels
What is the OCD cycle?
Obsession > Anxiety > Compulsion > Relief
Name 4 common obsessions in OCD
- Contamination
- Fear of harm (door locks)
- Excessive concern with order/symmetry
- Others: sex, blasphemy, violence, doubt
Name 5 common compulsions in OCD
- Checking (e.g. taps, doors)
- Cleaning/washing
- Repeating acts (e.g. counting/arranging objects)
- Mental compulsions (e.g. special words repeated in a set manner)
- Hoarding
Ix: What investigations are used to diagnose OCD?
Yale-Brown obsessive-compulsive scale (Y-BOCS)
DDx: Name 5 differentials for OCD (9)
- Both obsessions and compulsions: eating disorders
- Primarily obsessions: anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia
- Primarily compulsions: Tourette’s syndrome, kleptomania
- Organic: Dementia, epilepsy, head injury
Tx: What is the management for OCD?
- CBT including ERP (exposure and response prevention)
- SSRIs: fluoxetine, sertraline
- Clomipramine (TCA)
Definition: Somatisation disorder
Multiple, recurrent and frequently changing physical symptoms not explained by a physical illness
Definition: Dissociation
A process of separating off certain memories from normal consciousness.
This is a physiological defence mechanism used to cope with emotional conflict that is so distressing to the patient, it is prevented from entering their conscious mind.
Definition: Conversion
Distressing events are transformed into physical symptoms
Name 6 risk factors for somatoform and dissociative disorders
- Childhood abuse
- Reinforcement of illness behaviours
- Anxiety disorders
- Mood disorders
- Personality disorders
- Social stressors
Tx: Name 4 managements for somatoform and dissociative disorders
- SSRIs (antidepressants)
- Physical exercise
- CBT
- Encouraging stress-relieving activities
Definition: Acute intoxication
Theacute, usually transient, effect of the substance
Definition: Dependence syndrome
Prolonged, compulsive substance use leading to addiction, tolerance and the potential for withdrawal symptoms
Definition: Withdrawal state
Physical and/or psychological effects from complete (or partial) cessation of a substance after prolonged, repeated or high level of use
Definition: Substance-induced psychotic disorder
Onset of psychotic symptoms within 2 weeks of substance use.
Must persist for > 48 hrs
Name 5 environmental factors that can lead to substance dependence
- Peer pressure
- Life stressors
- Parental drug use
- Cultural acceptability
- Personal vulnerability
What is the chain of events leading to substance dependence?
- Takes substance
- Positive reinforcement: psychosocial (from peers/ pleasurable effects of the drug), biological (activates mesolimbic dopaminergic reward pathways)
- Dependence
Name 4 examples of opiates
- Morphine
- Heroin
- Codeine
- Methadone
Name 6 psychological effects of opiates
- Apathy
- Disinhibition
- Psychomotor retardation
- Impaired judgement/attention
- Drowsiness
- Slurred speech
Name 6 physical effects of opiates
- Respiratory depression
- Hypoxia
- Decreased BP
- Hypothermia
- Coma
- Pupillary constriction
Name 6 symptoms of opiate withdrawal
- Craving
- Rhinorrhoea
- Lacrimation
- Myalgia
- Abdominal cramps
- N+V
- Diarrhoea
- Pupillary dilation
- Piloerection (hair raising)
- Increased HR / BP
Name a cannabinoid
Cannabis
Name 7 psychological effects of cannabinoids
- Euphoria
- Disinhibition
- Paranoid ideation
- Temporal slowing (time passes slowly)
- Imparied judgement/attention/reaction time
- Illusions
- Hallucinations
Name 4 physical effects of cannabinoids
- Increased appetite
- Dry mouth
- Conjunctival injection
- Increased HR
Name 5 symptoms of cannabinoid withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Tremor of outstretched hands
- Sweating
- Myalgia
Name a sedative-hypnotic drug
Benzodiazepines
Name 6 psychological effects of sedative-hypnotics
- Euphoria
- Disinhibition
- Apathy
- Aggression
- Anterograde amnesia (can’t form new memories)
- Labile mood (unpredictable, uncontrollable, rapid shifts in emotions)
Name 5 physical effects of sedative-hypnotics (9)
- Unsteady gait
- Difficulty standing
- Slurred speech
- Nystagmus
- Erythematous skin lesions
- Decreased BP
- Hypothermia
- Depression of gag reflex
- Coma
Name 5 symptoms of sedative-hypnotic withdrawal (10)
- Tremor of hands/tongue/eyelids
- N+V
- Increased HR
- Postural hypotension
- Headache
- Agitation
- Malaise
- Transient illusions/hallucinations
- Paranoid ideation
- Grand mal convulsions
Name 4 examples of stimulants
- Cocaine
- Crack cocaine
- Ecstasy (MDMA)
- Amphetamine
Name 7 psychological effects of stimulants
- Euphoria
- Increased energy
- Grandiose beliefs
- Aggression/argumentative
- Illusions/hallucinations
- Paranoid ideation
- Labile mood
Name 5 physical effects of stimulants (9)
- Increased HR / BP
- Arrhythmias
- Sweating
- N+V
- Pupillary dilatation
- Psychomotor agitation
- Muscular weakness
- Chest pain
- Convulsions
Name 7 symptoms of stimulant withdrawal
- Dysphoric mood
- Lethargy
- Psychomotor agitation
- Craving
- Increased appetite
- Insomnia / hypersomnia
- Bizarre/unpleasant dreams
Name 2 examples of hallucinogens
- LSD
- Magic mushrooms
Name 5 psychological effects of hallucinogens (8)
- Anxiety
- Illusions/hallucinations
- Depersonalisation/derealisation
- Paranoia
- Ideas of reference
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsivity
- Inattention
Name 7 physical effects of stimulants
- Increased HR
- Palpitations
- Sweating
- Tremor
- Blurred vision
- Pupillary dilatation
- Incoordination
Name 4 examples of volatile solvents
- Aerosols
- Paint
- Glue
- Petrol
Name 5 psychological effects of volatile solvents
- Apathy
- Lethargy
- Aggression
- Impaired attention/judgement
- Psychomotor retardation
Name 5 physical effects of volatile solvents
- Unsteady gait
- Diplopia
- Nystagmus
- Decreased consciousness
- Muscle weakness
Name 3 examples of anabolic steroids
- Testosterone
- Androstenedione
- Danazol
Name 7 psychological effects of anabolic steroids
- Euphoria
- Depression
- Aggression
- Hyperactivity
- Mood swings
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
Name 6 physical effects of anabolic steroids
- Increased muscle mass
- Reduced fat
- Acne
- Male pattern baldness
- Reduced sperm count/infertility
- Stunted growth
Ix: Name 3 investigations for substance misuse
- Bloods: blood-bourne infections through needle sharing (HIV screen, Hep B, Hep C, TB), renal function (U+Es), hepatic function (LTFs, clotting), drug levels
- Urinalysis: drug metabolites can be detected in urine (e.g. cannabis, opioids)
- ECG: arrhythmias, ECHO if endocarditis suspected (secondary to needle sharing)
DDx: Name 7 differentials of substance misuse
- Psychiatric: psychosis, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, delirium
- Organic: hyperthyroidism, CVA, intracranial haemorrhage
Tx: What is the management of substance misuse?
- Hep B immunisation for those at risk
- Motivational interviewing/CBT
- Housing/finance/employment support
- Self-help groups (e.g. narcotics anonymous and cocaine anonymous)
- Consider issue of driving: review DVLA
Tx: Name 3 managements of opioid dependence
- Biological therapies: methadone (1st line) or buprenorphine for detoxification AND maintenance
- Naltrexone: formerly opioid-dependent but have now stopped and want to continue abstinence
- IV naloxone (opioid antagonist): antidote to opioid overdose
Definition: Alcohol abuse
Consumption of alcohol at a level sufficient to cause physical, psychiatric and/or social harm
Definition: Binge drinking
Drinking over twice the recommended level of alcohol per day in one session
> 8 units for men, > 6 units for women
Definition: Harmful alcohol use
Drinking above safe levels with evidence of alcohol-related problems
> 50 units/week for men, > 35 units/week for women
Name 5 risk factors for alcohol abuse
- Male: increased metabolism of alcohol
- Younger adults
- Antisocial behaviour
- Lack of facial flushing: risk of alcoholism is decreased in individuals who show alcohol-induced facial flushing
- Life stressors: e.g. financial problems, marital issues, certain occupations
Clinical features: Name 4 symptoms of alcohol intoxication
- Slurred speech
- Labile affect
- Impaired judgement
- Poor coordination
In severe cases: hypoglycaemia, stupor, coma
Clinical features: What are the 7 signs of Edward and Gross criteria for alcohol dependence?
- Subjective awareness of compulsion to drink
- Avoidance or relief of withdrawal Sx by further drinking
- Withdrawal Sx
- Drink-seeking behaviour predominates
- Reinstatement of drinking after attempted abstinence
- Increased tolerance to alcohol
- Narrowing of drinking repertoire (i.e. a stereotyped pattern of drinking - fixed times for drinking with reduced influence from environmental cues)
Clinical features: Name 6 symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
- Malaise
- Tremor
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Transient hallucinations
- Autonomic hyperactivity
Occur at 6-12 hours after abstinence
When is peak incidence of seizures after alcohol withdrawal?
36 hours
Definition: Delirium tremens
- Severe end of the spectrum of withdrawal
- Peak incidence is at 72 hours
Name 5 symptoms of delirium tremens
- Cognitive impairment
- Vivid perceptual abnormalities: hallucinations and/or illusions
- Paranoid delusions
- Marked tremor
- Autonomic arousal: tachycardia, fever, pupillary dilatation, increased sweating
Tx: What is the management of delirium tremens?
- Benzodiazepines e.g. chlordiazepoxide
- Haloperidol for any psychotic features
- IV Pabrinex contains water soluble vitamins (C,B1,B2,B3,B6)
Ix: Name 4 investigations for alcohol abuse
- Bloods: blood alcohol level, FBC, U&Es, LFTs, MCV, hepatitis serology, glucose
- Alcohol questionnaire: CAGE, AUDIT, SADQ
- CT head: is head injury suspected
- ECG: arrhythmias
DDx: Name 7 differentials for alcohol abuse
- Psychiatric: psychosis, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, delirium
- Medical: head injury, cerebral tumour, CVA (e.g. stroke)
Definition: Wernicke’s encephalopathy
An acute encephalopathy due to thiamine deficiency
Clinical features: Name 5 symptoms of Wernicke’s encephalopathy
- Delirium
- Nystagmus
- Ophthalmoplegia
- Hypothermia
- Ataxia
Tx: What is the management of Wernicke’s encephalopathy?
Parenteral thiamine
Definition: Korsakoff’s psychosis
Profound, irreversible short-term memory loss with:
* confabulation (unconscious filling of gaps in momory with imaginary events)
* disorientation to time
Tx: What is the management of alcohol dependence?
- Disulfiram / Naltrexone / Acamprosate
- Motivational interviewing
- CBT
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Social support including family involvement
Tx: What is the management of alcohol withdrawal?
- Chlordiazepoxide detox regime
- Thiamine
Chlordiazepoxide = high dose benzodiazepine
Name 10 types of behavioural addictions
- Food
- Exercise
- Gambling
- Internet
- Plastic surgery
- Porn
- Sex
- Shopping
- Social media
- Video games
Name 7 signs of behavioural addiction
- Prioritising time spent engaging in the behaviour
- Becoming increasingly dependent on the behaviour to cope with emotions
- Having difficulty changing behaviour despite wanting to do so
- Continuing behaviour despite attempts to stop
- Neglecting or avoiding work/family/school to engage in the behaviour or hide its effects on your life
- Denying, minimising, hiding the full truth about your addiction
- Experiencing unpleasant feelings/sensations when trying to stop (withdrawal Sx)
Tx: What is the management for addictive behaviours?
- CBT
- Group therapy
Definition: Deliberate self-harm
An intentional act of self-poisoning or self-injury, irrespective of the motivation.
Usually an expression of emotional distress
Name 7 methods of self-injury
- Cutting
- Burning
- Hanging
- Stabbing
- Swallowing objects
- Shooting
- Jumping from heights/in front of vehicles
Name 4 methods of self-poisoning
- Medication
- Illicit drugs
- Household substances
- Plant material
Name 8 risk factors for deliberate self-harm
- Divorced/single/living alone
- Severe life stressors
- Harmful drug/alcohol use
- < 35 y.o.
- Chronic physical health problems
- DV or childhood abuse
- Socioeconomic disadvantage
- Psychiatric illness e.g. depression, psychosis
Ix: Name 4 investigations for ruling out self-harm
- Bloods: paracetamol levels, salicylate levels if suspected overdose, U&Es (renal function), LFTs and clotting (hepatic funtion)
- Urinalysis: toxicological analysis
- CT head: if an intracranial cause for altered consciousness is suspected
- Lumbar puncture: if intracranial infection is suspected (e.g. meningitis)
Tx: What is the management of self-harm?
- Acute Tx: treating any overdose with specific antidotes, suturing
- Manage high suicide risk: full risk assessment!
- Treat any psychiatric disorder: antidepressants/CBT/psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Psychosocial assessment: offer help for psychosocial needs e.g. counselling/social services input
- Follow-up within 48 hours
Antidote to paracetamol overdose?
N-Acetylcysteine
Antidote to opiates overdose?
Naloxone
Antidote to benzodiazepine overdose?
Flumazenil
Antidote to warfarin overdose?
Vitamin K
Antidote to beta-blocker overdose?
Glucagon
Antidote to TCA overdose?
e.g. amitriptyline
Sodium bicarbonate
Definition: Suicide
A fatal act of self-harm initiated with the intention of ending one’s own life
Definition: Attempted suicide
The act of intentionally trying to take one’s own life with the primary aim of dying, but failing to succeed in this endeavour
Definition: Risk assessment
In a psychiatric context
Assessing the risk of self-harm, suicide and/or risk to others
Name 5 protective factors which can reduce the risk of suicide (12)
- Children at home
- Pregnancy
- Strong religious/spiritual beliefs
- Strong social support
- Positive coping skills
- Positive therapeutic relationship
- Supportive living arrangements
- Life satisfaction
- Fear of the physical act of suicide
- Fear of disapproval from society
- Responsibility for others
- Hope for the future
Name 5 clinical risk factors of suicide
- Hx of DSH or attempted suicide
- Psychiatric illness: depression, schizophrenia, substance misuse, alcohol abuse, personality disorder
- Childhood abuse
- Family Hx
- Medical illness: physically disabling/painful/terminal illness
Name 5 socio-demographic risk factors of suicide (8)
- Males 3x more likely
- Age: 40 - 44 in men
- Unemployed / low socioeconomic status
- Occupation: vets, doctors, nurses, farmers
- Access to lethal means: firearms, hanging, strangling, suffocation
- Low social support, living alone, institutionalised (e.g. prisons, soldiers)
- Single/widowed/separated/divorced
- Recent life crisis: bereavement, family breakdown
Clinical features: Name 6 characteristics of someone who is suicidal
- Preoccupation with death
- Sense of isolation and withdrawal from society
- Emotional distance from others
- Distraction and lack of pleasure
- Focus on the past
- Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
Name 6 things that can be used to determine the risk of suicide following DSH
- Note left behind
- Planned attempt of suicide
- Attempts to avoid being discovered
- Afterwards help was not sought
- Violent method
- Final acts: sorting out finances, writing a will
Tx: What is the management for someone who has attempted suicide?
- Ensure safety: remove any means for suicide
- Pt who has attempted and failed suicide should be medically stabilised: Tx of drug overdose/physical injury
- Risk assessment
- Admission to hospital
- Referral to secondary care
- Psychiatric Tx
- Support from Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment team
- Outpatient and community Tx
Name 3 individual suicide prevention strategies
- Detect and treat psychiatric disorders
- Urgent hospitilisation under the Mental Health Act
- Involvement of the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment team
Name 5 population level suicide prevention strategies
- Public education/discussion
- Reducing access to means of suicide: e.g. encourage Pts to dispose of unwanted tablets, safety rails at high places
- Easy, rapid access to psychiatric care/support groups
- Decreasing social stressors: e.g. unemployment, DV
- Reducing substance misuse
Definition: Delirium
An acute, transient, reversible state of confusion and impaired consciousness and attention
What are the 3 subtypes of delirium?
- Hypoactive: lethargy, decreased motor activity, apathy
- Hyperactive: agitation, irritability, restlessness, aggression, hallucinations/delusions
- Mixed: signs of both
Name 10 causes of delirium
mnemonic: HE IS NOT MAAD
- Hypoxia: resp failure, MI, PE
- Endocrine: hyper/hypothyroidism, hyper/hypoglycaemia, Cushing’s
- Infection: UTI, pneumonia, meningitis
- Stroke/intracranial events: raised ICP, haemorrhage, SOL, head trauma, epilepsy
- Nutritional: decreased thiamine, vit B12
- Others: severe pain, sensory deprivation, sleep deprivation
- Theatre/post-op: anaesthetic, opiate analgesics
- Metabolic: hepatic/renal impairment, electrolyte disturbance
- Abdominal: urinary retention, bladder catheterisation, malnutrition, faecal impaction
- Alcohol: intoxication, withdrawal
- Drugs: benzodiazepines, opioids, steroids, anti-parkinsonian meds, anticholinergics
Name 5 risk factors for delirium (10)
- Old age > 65
- Multiple co-morbidities
- Dementia
- Physical frailty
- Renal impairment
- Male sex
- Sensory impairment
- Previous episodes
- Recent surgery
- Severe illness
Clinical features: Name 8 symptoms of delirium
Mnemonic: DELIRIUM
- Disordered thinking: slowed, irrational, incoherent thoughts
- Emotional disturbances: euphoric, fearful, depressed, angry
- Language impaired: rambling, repetitive, disruptive
- Illusions, delusions, hallucinations
- Reversal of sleep-wake pattern: tired during day, hyper-vigilant at night
- Inattention: inability to focus, clouding of consciousness
- Unaware/disoriented: to time, place, person
- Memory deficits
Ix: Name 3 investigations for delirium
- Routine Ix: urinalysis, bloods (FBC,U&E,LFT,, glucose,CRP,TFT etc), infection screen (blood & urine culture)
- Ix based on Hx/examination: ABG (hypoxia), CT head, lumbar puncture (meningitis), EEG (epilepsy)
- Questionnaires: Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT), Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
DDx: Name 5 differentials for delirium
- Dementia
- Mood disorder
- Late onset schizophrenia
- Dissociative disorders
- Hypo/hyperthyroidism
Tx: What is the management of delirium?
- Treat underlying cause: treat any infections, laxatives for faecal impaction, temporary catheterisation for urinary retention
- Reassurance and re-orientation
- Provide appropriate environment
- Manage disturbed, violent, destressed behaviour: low-dose haloperidol or olanzapine
- Avoid benzodiazepines
Definition: Personality disorder
A deeply ingrained and enduring pattern of inner experience and behaviour that deviates from expectations in the individual’s culture.
* It is pervasive and inflexible
* Onset in early adulthood
* Is stable over time and leads to distress or impairment
What are the 3 clusters of PDs?
Cluster A: odd/eccentric
* Paranoid
* Schizoid
Cluster B: dramatic/emotional
* Emotionally unstable (borderline)
* Dissocial (antisocial)
* Histrionic
Cluster C: anxious/fearful
* Dependent
* Avoidant (anxious)
* Anankastic (obsessional)
Name 4 risk factors for PD
- Low socioeconomic status
- Genetics: family Hx
- Dysfunctional family: poor parenting, parental deprivation
- Childhood abuse: physical, sexual, emotional, neglect
Clinical features: Name the features of cluster A PDs
Cluster A (weird)
Paranoid
* suspicious
* unforgiving
* questions fidelity
* jealous
* doesn’t like criticism
* reduced trust
Schizoid
* detached affect
* indifferent to praise/criticism
* reduced libido
* does tasks alone
* no emotion
* takes pleasure in few activities
* absence of close friends
Clinical features: Name the features of cluster B PDs
Cluster B (wild)
EUPD
* fear of abandonment
* mood instability
* suicidal behaviour
* unstable relationships
* intense relationships
* poor anger control
* impulsive
* disturbed sense of identity
* chronic emptiness
Dissocial (antisocial)
* callous
* blames others
* reckless - disregard for safety
* lack of guilt (remorseless)
* deceitful
* impulsive
* temper/ tendency to violence
Histrionic
* provocative behaviour
* concern for physical attractiveness
* attention seeking
* easily influenced
* shallow/ inappropriate seductive
* egocentric (vain)
* exaggerated emotions
Clinical features: Name the features of cluster C PDs
Cluster C (worriers)
Dependent
* reassurance required
* difficulty expressing disagreement
* lack of self-confidence
* difficulty initiating projects
* fear of abandonmnent
* seeks companionship
* exaggerated fears
Anxious (avoidant)
* certainty of being liked needed before becoming involved with people
* restriction to lifestyle in order to maintain security
* feels inadequate
* potential to be embarrassed prevents involvement in new activities
* social inhibition
Anankastic (obsessional)
* loses point of activity due to preoccupation with detail
* compromised ability to complete tasks due to perfectionism
* workaholic at the expense of leisure
* fussy
* inflexible/ rigid
* meticulous attention to detail
* stubborn
Ix: Name 3 investigations for PD
- Questionnaires: Personality Diagnostic test, Eysenck Personality test
- Psychological testing: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
- CT head/MRI: rule out organic causes e.g. frontal lobe tumours/intracranial bleeds
DDx: Name 3 differentials for PD
- Mood disorders: mania, depression
- Psychotic disorders: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder
- Substance misuse
Tx: What is the management for PD?
- Identify and treat any psychiatric illness and substance misuse
- Risk assessment: psychosocial interventions to reduce stressors
- Pharmacological (control Sx): low-dose antipsychotics, mood stabilisers, antidepressants
- Psychological: CBT, psychodynamic psychotherapy, Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)
- Social: support groups, assistance with social problems (housing/finance/employment), access to education
What is DBT?
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy
- Emphasis on developing coping strategies to improve impulse control and reduce self-harm
- Used in EUPD
Definition: Dementia
- A syndrome of generalised decline of memory, intellect and personality
- Without impairment of consciousness
- Leading to functional impairment
What are the 4 types of dementias from most prevalent to least?
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Vascular dementia
- Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)
- Fronto-temporal dementia
Name 5 irreversible causes of dementia
- Neurodegenerative: Alzheimer’s, F-T dementia, DLB, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s
- Infections: HIV, encephalitis, syphilis
- Toxins: alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines
- Vascular: vascular dementia, CVD
- Head trauma
Name 3 reversible causes of dementia
- Neurological: normal pressure hydrocephalus, intracranial tumours, CSH
- Vitamin deficiencies: B12, folic acid, thiamine, nicotinic acid
- Endocrine: Cushing’s, hypothyroidism
What is the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease?
- Degeneration of cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert leading to acetylcholine deficiency
What are 2 microscopic physiological changes seen in Alzheimer’s disease?
- Neurofibrillary tangles (intracellularly)
- Beta-amyloid plaque formation (extracellularly)
These are pathological lesions progressively distributed around the brain
What are 3 macroscopic physiological changes seen in Alzheimer’s disease?
- Cortical atrophy (commonly hippocampus)
- Widened sulci
- Enlarged ventricles
Aetiology: What is the cause of vascular dementia?
Cerebrovascular disease due to:
* stroke
* multi-infarcts
* chronic changes in small vessels (arteriosclerosis)
Aetiology: What is the cause of Lewy body dementia?
Abnormal deposition of protein (Lewy body) within the neurons of the:
* brainstem
* substantia nigra
* neocortex
Aetiology: What is the cause of fronto-temporal dementia?
Specific degeneration (atrophy) of the frontal and temporal lobes.
What is Pick’s disease?
A type of fronto-temporal dementia, where protein tangles (Pick’s bodies) are seen histologically
What are the cortical, subcortical and mixed dementias?
- Cortical: AD, fronto-temporal
- Subcortical: DLB
- Mixed: vascular
Name 7 risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease
- Advancing age
- Family Hx
- Genetics
- Down’s syndrome
- Low IQ
- CVD
- Vascular RFs: stroke/MI, smoking, HTN, DM, high cholesterol
Clinical features: Name 3 symptoms in early stages of AD
- Memory lapses
- Difficulty finding words
- Forgetting names of people/places
Clinical features: Name 4 symptoms during disease progression of AD
- Apraxia
- Agnosia
- Confusion
- Language problems
- Impairment of executive functions
Clinical features: Name 7 symptoms in later stages of AD
- Disorientation to time/place
- Wandering
- Apathy
- Incontinence
- Eating problems
- Depression
- Agitation
Name 6 clinical features of vascular dementia
- Stepwise rather than continuous deterioration
- Memory loss
- Emotional and personality changes
- Confusion
- Neurological signs/Sx
- On examination –> focal neurology (UMN signs) and signs of CVD
Name 4 clinical features of DLB
- Day to day fluctuations in cognitive performance
- Recurrent visual hallucinations
- Motor signs of parkinsonism (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia)
- Recurrent falls / syncope
Name 6 clinical features of fronto-temporal dementia
- Family Hx is positive
- Early personality changes: disinhibition (reduced control over one’s behaviour), apathy/restlessness
- Worsening of social behaviour
- Repetitive behaviour
- Language problems
- Memory is preserved in early stages, but insight is lost early
Name 3 clinical features of Huntington’s disease
- Autosomal dominant: strong family Hx
- Abnormal choreiform movements of face, hands, shoulders and gait abnormalities
- Dementia presents later
Name the triad of clinical features in normal pressure hydrocephalus
- Dementia with prominent frontal lobe dysfunction
- Urinary incontinence
- Gait disturbance (wide gait)
Ix: Name 10 investigations for dementia
Blood tests: FBC,CRP,U&E,calcium,LFT,glucose,vit B12 & folate,TFT
Non-routine Ix:
* Urine dipstick
* Chest Xray
* Syphilis serology & HIV testing
* CT/ MRI/ SPECT (to differentiate between AD, VascD and F-TD)
* ECG
* EEG
* Lumbar puncture
* Genetic tests
* Cognitive assessment
DDx: Name 5 differentials for dementia (9)
- Normal ageing/ mild cognitive impairment
- Delirium
- Trauma: stroke, hypoxic, brain injury
- Depression: poor concentration/impaired memory common in depression in the elderly
- Late onset schizophrenia
- Amnesic syndrome: severe disruption in memory with minimal deterioration in cognitive function
- Learning disability
- Substance misuse
- Drug side effects: opiate, benzodiazepine
After a diagnosis of dementia, what are patients legally obliged to do?
Contact DVLA
Tx: What are 5 non-pharmacological managements of dementia?
- Social support
- Increasing assistance with day-to-day activities
- Education
- Community dementia teams & services
- Home nursing and personal care
What are the aims of dementia treatment?
- Promote independence
- Maintain function
- Treat symptoms
Tx: What is the pharmacological management of dementia?
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (mild/moderate AD)
- N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist (moderate AD in those who are intolerant/contraindication to AChE inhibitors / severe AD)
- Antipsychotic for challenging behaviour (risperidone)
- Antidepressant for low mood (sertraline)
Tx: Name 3 AChE inhibitors
- Donepezil
- Galantamine
- Rivastigmine
Tx: Name an NMDA receptor antagonist
Memantine
Definition: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
Cognitive impairment without functional impairment
* Characterised by problems with language, memory and thinking
Definition: Frontal lobe syndrome
Impairment of the frontal lobe of the brain due to disease or frontal lobe injury
Definition: Autism
Pervasive developmental disorder characterised by a triad of:
- impairment in social interaction
- impairment in communication
- restricted, stereotyped interests and behaviours
Aetiology: What are some pre-/anti-/post-natal causes of autism?
Prenatal:
* Genetics
* Parental age: 40 y.o.
* Drugs: sodium valproate
* Infection
Antenatal:
* Hypoxia during childbirth
* Prematurity: before 35 weeks’ gestation
* Very low birthweight
Postnatal:
* Toxins: lead, mercury
Name the triad of clinical features associated with autism
Asocial:
* Few social gestures
* Lack of eye contact
* Lack of interest in others
* Lack of emotional expression
Behaviour restricted:
* Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviour
* Upset at any change in daily routine
* May prefer same foods/same clothes/same games
* Fascination with sensory aspects of environment
Communication impaired:
* Distorted / delayed speech
* Echolalia (repetition of words)
Ix: Name 3 investigations for autism
Full developmental assessment:
- family Hx
- pregnancy
- birth
- medical Hx
- developmental milestones
- daily living skills
- assessment of communication/social interaction/stereotyped behaviours
Hearing tests
Screening tools: CHAT (checklist for autism in toddlers)
DDx: Name 6 differentials for autism
- Asperger’s syndrome
- Rett’s syndrome
- Childhood disintegrative disorder
- Learning disability
- Deafness
- Childhood schizophrenia
Tx: What is the management of autism? (7)
- Modification of environmental factors
- Treat co-existing disorders
- Psychoeducation / CBT
- Social-communication intervention
- Special schooling
- Antipsychotics for challenging behaviour
- Melatonin for sleep
Definition: ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Characterised by an early onset, persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity that are more frequent and severe than in individuals at a comparable stage of development
Name 3 risk factors for developing ADHD
- Male: 3x more likely
- Family Hx
- Environmental RFs: social deprivation, family conflict, parental cannabis/alcohol exposure
Clinical features: Name the 3 core symptoms of ADHD
Inattention
* Not listening when spoken to
* Highly distractable
* Reluctant to engage in activities that require persistent mental effort
* Forgetting/regularly losing belongings
Hyperactivity
* Restlessness/fidgeting/tapping
* Recklessness
* Running/jumping around in inappropriate places
* Difficulty engaging in quiet activities
* Excessive talking/noisiness
Impulsivity
* Difficulty waiting their turn
* Interrupting others
* Prematurely blurting out answers
* Temper tantrums/aggression
* Disobedient
* Running into the street without looking
Ix: Name 3 investigations for ADHD
- Bloods : TFTs (rule out thyroid disease)
- Hearing tests
- Questionnaires/ Rating scales
DDx: Name 5 differentials for ADHD (8)
- Learning disabilities/dyslexia
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Conduct disorder
- Autism
- Sleep disorders
- Mood disorders (bipolar)
- Anxiety disorder
- Hearing impairment
Tx: What is the management of ADHD?
- Psychoeducation
- CBT and/or social skills training
- In severe ADHD in school-age children, drug Tx is first line (CNS stimulant)
Tx: Name the drugs used to treat ADHD
- Methylphenidate
- if this fails: Atomoxetine
- if this fails: dexamfetamine
Name 4 side effects of CNS stimulants
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
Definition: Learning disability
State of arrested or incomplete development of the mind, characterised by impairment of skills manifested during the developmental period
What are the 4 categories of LD?
Mild: IQ 50-70
Moderate: IQ 35-49
Severe: IQ 20-34
Profound: IQ < 20
What is the triad that must exist to constitute a LD?
- Low intellectual performance
- Onset at birth or during early childhood
- Wide range of functional impairment
Aetiology: Name 7 causes of LD
- Genetic: Down’s, fragile X syndrome, Cri du chat
- Antenatal: congenital infection, nutritional deficiency, intoxication, endocrine disorders, pre-eclampsia
- Perinatal: birth asphyxia, intraventricular haemorrhage, neonatal sepsis
- Neonatal: hypoglycaemia, meningitis
- Postnatal: infection, metabolic, anoxia, cerebral palsy
- Environmental: neglect/non-accidental injury, malnutrition
- Psychiatric: autism, Rett’s syndrome
What are the clinical features of LDs ranging from mild to profound?
Mild:
* Adequate language abilities, social skills, self-care
* May be difficulties in academic work
* Most live independently, but may need housing/employment support
Moderate:
* Limited language
* May need supervision for self-care
Severe:
* Motor impairment
* Little/no speech in early childhood
* May have associated physical disorders
Profound:
* Severe motor impairment
* Severe difficulties in communication
* Little/no self-care
* Frequently have physical disorders
Ix: Name 4 investigations for LDs before birth
- Amniocentesis
- Chorionic villus sampling
- Genetic testing
- Karyotyping
Ix: Name 3 investigations for LDs after birth
- Bloods: FBC, TFTs, glucose, serology
- Brain imaging: CT head / MRI
- IQ test
Tx: What is the management of learning disabilities?
- Multidisciplinary approach
- Treat co-morbid medical/psychiatric conditions
- Behavioural techniques: applied behavioural analysis, positive behaviour support, CBT
- Family education]
- Prevention: genetic counselling, antenatal diagnosis
Definition: Down’s syndrome
A genetic disorder (trisomy 21) characterised by:
* LD
* Dysmorphic facial features
* Multiple structural abnormalities
What are 5 physical features of Down’s syndrome? (11)
- Palpebral fissure (up slanting of eye)
- Round face
- Occipital + nasal flattening
- Brushfield spots (pigmented spots on iris)
- Brachycephaly
- Low-set small ears
- Epicanthic folds (monolid)
- Mouth open and protruding tongue
- Strabismus (squint)
- Sandal gap deformity (space between big toe and other toes)
- Single palmar crease
Name 7 medical problems associated with Down’s syndrome
- Heart defects: ventricular/atrial septal defects, ToF
- Hearing loss
- Visual disturbance: cataracts, strabismus
- GI problems: oesophageal/duodenal atresia, coeliac
- Hypothyroidism
- Haematological malignancies: AML, ALL
- Increased incidence of Alzheimer’s
Ix: Name 3 investigations for Down’s syndrome
- Serum screening: beta-HCG & pregnancy-associated plasma protein A
- Nuchal translucency
- Quad test: beta-HCG, alpha-fetoprotein, inhibin A, estriol
What is the MOA for SSRIs?
- Inhibit reuptake of serotonin from the synaptic cleft into pre-synaptic neurones
- Increase the concentration of serotonin in the synaptic cleft
Definition: Serotonin syndrome
- Rare, life-threatening complication of increased serotonin activity
- Usually rapidly occuring - within minutes of taking meds
Clinical features: What are the cognitive/autonomic/somatic effects of serotonin syndrome?
- Cognitive effects: headache, agitation, hypomania, confusion, hallucinations, coma
- Autonomic effects: shivering, sweating, hyperthermia, HTN, tachycardia
- Somatic effects: myoclonus, hyperreflexia, tremor
What is the MOA for SNRIs?
- Prevent reuptake of noradrenaline and serotonin, but don’t block cholinergic receptors
- Therefore don’t have as many anti-cholinergic SEs as TCAs
What is the MOA for TCAs?
- Inhibit reuptake of adrenaline and serotonin in the synaptic cleft
What is the MOA for MAOIs?
Inactivate monoamine oxidase enzymes that oxidise the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin and tyramine
Definition: Lithium toxicity
Medical emergency which can lead to seizures, coma, death
Enhanced by 4D’s:
* Dehydration
* Drugs (ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs)
* Diuretics (thiazide)
* Depletion of sodium
Tx: What is the management of lithium toxicity?
- Stop lithium immediately
- High fluid intake inc IV sodium chloride to stimulate osmotic diuresis
- Renal dialysis may be needed in severe cases
Definition: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Rare, life-threatening condition seen in patients taking antipsychotics
- Onset of Sx usually in first 10 days of Tx or after increasing dose
Clinical features: Name 5 symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Pyrexia
- Muscular rigidity
- Confusion
- Fluctiating consciousness
- Autonomic instability (e.g. tachycardia, fluctuating BP)
- May have delirium
Ix: Name 3 investigations for neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Creatinine kinase: increased
- FBC: leucocytosis may be seen
- LFTs: deranged
Tx: What is the management of neuroleptic malignant syndrome? (5)
- Stop antipsychotic
- Monitor vital signs
- IV fluids to prevent renal failure
- Dantrolene (muscle relaxant)
- Bromocriptine (dopamine agonist)
Definition: Acute dystonic reaction
Medication induced movement disorder characterised by involuntary muscle contractions
Clinical features: What are the symptoms of acute dystonic reaction?
Extrapyramidal side effects
* Onset of atypical posture / position of muscles
* Within minutes/hours of taking medications
Tx: What is the treatment of acute dystonic reaction?
- IV meds: anticholinergic agents, benzodiazepines
- Stop triggering medication
Definition: Mental capacity
- One’s ability to make decisions
- Time specific
- Decision specific
What is section 2 of the MHA?
Admission for assessment
Duration: 28 days
What is section 3 of the MHA?
Admission for treatment
Duration: 6 months
What is section 136 of the MHA?
Someone found in a public place who appears to have a mental disorder can be taken by the police to a place of safety
Definition: Overvalued idea
False belief that is maintained despite strong evidence that is is untrue
Definition: Loosening of association
Type of formal thought disorder characterised by speech that shifts between topics only minimally related to one another.
Definition: Circumstantiality
Including lots of unnecessary and insignificant details in conversation/writing
Definition: Perseveration
Inappropraite repetition of behaviour
e.g. rocking from side to side, finger wiggling, repetition of words
Definition: Confabulation
When a person generates a false memory without the intention of deceit
Definition: Incongruity of affect
Lack of correlation between a person’s affect and their stated mood
e.g. may have happy thoughts/look happy when talking about a sad event
Definition: Blunted affect
Demonstrating limited intensity of emotions
Definition: La Belle indifference
A state of being indifferent to physical symptoms or abnormalities that are usually associated with anxiety
Definition: Depersonalisation
A feeling of being outside yourself and observing your actions/feelings/thoughts from a distance
Definition: Derealisation
Feel the world is unreal. Things around you may seem foggy/lifeless
Definition: Flight of ideas
When someone talks quickly and erratically, jumping rapidly between ideas and thoughts
Definition: Catatonia
State in which someone is awake but doesn’t respond to other people/ their environment.
Psychomotor disorder that affects speech and behaviour functions
Definition: Stupor
- State of decreased cognitive functioning, sensory capacity and awareness
- State of lethargy and impaired consciousness
Definition: Akathisia
Movement disorder causing a feeling of restlessness and an inability to stay still