Psych Flashcards
Q: What is bipolar disorder?
A: A chronic mental health disorder characterised by periods of mania/hypomania alongside episodes of depression.
Q: What are the two types of bipolar disorder?
Type I disorder: Mania and depression (most common)
Type II disorder: Hypomania and depression
Q: What defines mania and hypomania?
Both terms refer to abnormally elevated mood or irritability.
Mania involves severe functional impairment or psychotic symptoms lasting 7 days or more.
Hypomania involves decreased or increased function lasting 4 days or more.
Q: What is the key differentiating feature between mania and hypomania?
A: The presence of psychotic symptoms (e.g., delusions of grandeur or auditory hallucinations) suggests mania.
Q: What is the mood stabilizer of choice for bipolar disorder?
A: Lithium.
Q: What is an alternative mood stabilizer to lithium for bipolar disorder?
A: Valproate.
Q: How is mania/hypomania managed in bipolar disorder?
Consider stopping antidepressants if the patient is taking one.
Antipsychotic therapy (e.g., olanzapine or haloperidol).
Q: How is depression in bipolar disorder managed?
Talking therapies.
Fluoxetine is the antidepressant of choice.
Q: What are the co-morbidities associated with bipolar disorder?
A: Increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and COPD (2-3 times higher).
Q: What should be done if symptoms suggest hypomania in a patient with bipolar disorder?
A: NICE recommends a routine referral to the community mental health team (CMHT).
Q: What should be done if there are features of mania or severe depression in a patient with bipolar disorder?
A: An urgent referral to the community mental health team (CMHT) should be made.
Q: What is Capgras syndrome?
A: A disorder in which a person holds a delusion that a friend or partner has been replaced by an identical-looking impostor.
Q: What are the four types of child abuse?
Neglect
Emotional abuse
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Q: What features should raise suspicion of sexual abuse in a child?
Persistent dysuria or anogenital discomfort without medical explanation
Gaping anus in a child during examination without medical explanation
Pregnancy in a young woman aged 13-15 years
Hepatitis B or anogenital warts in a child aged 13-15 years
Q: What are features suggesting sexual abuse in a child?
Persistent or recurrent genital or anal symptoms associated with emotional or behavioral changes
Anal fissure with no explanation from conditions like constipation or Crohn’s disease
STI in a child younger than 12 years (without evidence of vertical or blood transmission)
Sexualized behavior in a prepubertal child
Q: What features should raise suspicion of physical abuse in a child?
Any serious or unusual injury with an absent or unsuitable explanation
Cold injuries in a child with no medical explanation
Hypothermia in a child without a suitable explanation
Oral injury in a child with an absent or unsuitable explanation
Q: What are some factors that point towards child abuse?
Story inconsistent with injuries
Repeated attendances at A&E departments
Delayed presentation
Child with a frightened, withdrawn appearance (‘frozen watchfulness’)
Q: How is chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) diagnosed?
A: Diagnosed after at least 3 months of disabling fatigue affecting mental and physical function more than 50% of the time in the absence of other diseases that may explain the symptoms.
Q: What are the central features of chronic fatigue syndrome?
Fatigue is the central feature, along with:
Sleep problems (insomnia, hypersomnia, unrefreshing sleep, disturbed sleep-wake cycle)
Muscle and/or joint pains
Headaches
Painful lymph nodes without enlargement
Sore throat
Cognitive dysfunction (difficulty thinking, inability to concentrate, memory impairment, word-finding difficulties)
Physical or mental exertion worsening symptoms
General malaise or ‘flu-like’ symptoms
Dizziness
Nausea
Palpitations
Q: What investigations does NICE recommend for chronic fatigue syndrome?
A large number of screening blood tests to exclude other pathologies, including:
FBC
U&E
LFT
Glucose
TFT
ESR
CRP
Calcium
CK
Ferritin
Coeliac screening
Urinalysis
Q: When is a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome typically made?
A: A diagnosis is typically made if symptoms persist for 3 months.
Q: How is chronic fatigue syndrome managed?
Refer to a specialist CFS service if diagnostic criteria are met and symptoms have persisted for 3 months.
Energy management strategy.
Physical activity and exercise under supervision of an ME/CFS specialist team.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (supportive rather than curative).
Graded exercise therapy is not recommended by NICE.
Q: What is chronic pancreatitis?
A: Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition that can affect both the exocrine and endocrine functions of the pancreas.
Q: What is the most common cause of chronic pancreatitis?
A: Around 80% of cases are due to alcohol excess.