Psych Flashcards
What are the different types of primary delusions?
Autochthonous delusions- appear out the blue
Delusional mood- feeling a sinister event is about to take place
Delusional perceptions- interpret normal stimulus with delusional meaning
Delusional memory- delusional interpretation of past event
In psych, Capgras syndrome
A type of misidentification delusion: someone close has been replaced by an identical looking imposter
In psych, Fregoli’s syndrome
A type of misidentification delusion:
strangers are actually familiar people in disguise
Different types of somatic hallucinations in psychosis
- Tactile- sensation of being touched or strangled
cocaine use = insects crawling under the skin - Kinaesthetic- limbs are being bent, muscles squeezed
- Visceral- internal organs being pulled/ electric shocks
What is the difference between hallucinations and pseudohallucinations?
Patient locates sensation within their own mind- ‘in my head’
May occur in borderline personality disorder, fatigue, bereavement
What are the organic causes of psychosis?
AIDs Brain- brain tumours, stroke Cocaine, LSD, ectasy Delirium, Dementia, Drugs (steroids, dopamine agonists) Epilepsy (temporal lobe)
What are the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
- Hallucinations
- Delusion
- Ideas of reference- innocuous events believed to have great personal significance
What are the negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Lack of activity and motivation
Lack of speech and emotional responsiveness
Few leisure interests
Social withdrawal and lack of convention
What tends to be different about the auditory hallucinations in schizophrenia compared to bipolar disorder
In schizophrenia- voices tend to discuss individual in 3rd person like a commentary ‘he/her’
In bipolar- tends to be in 2nd person ‘you’
2 of which symptoms needs to be present for most of a month in the DSM-V classification of schizophrenia?
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganised speech
- Grossly disorganised or catatonic behaviour
- Negative symptoms
How long must continuous signs of disturbance be present for in the DSM-V classification of schizophrenia?
6 months
Which allele puts people at risk of schizophrenia if they smoke cannabis?
Valine at position 158 in COMT enzyme
COMT degrades dopamine
What neurochemical changes occur in schizophrenia?
- increased dopamine (mesolimbic + prefrontal cortex)
- decreased glutamate activity (GABA-Rs)
- increased 5-HT activity (decreased 5-HT 2aR in frontal cortex)
Antipsychotic medications are most effective against which aspects of schizophrenia?
Positive symptoms- delusions, illusions etc
How long do antipsychotics take to work in schizophrenia?
2-4 weeks
What is the difference between a primary and secondary delusion?
Primary- appears suddenly without any mental event leading up to them
Secondary- follows a change in mood, hallucination or another delusion
What is schizoaffective disorder?
Bipolar- delusions go away after two weeks of mood stabilising.
Schizoaffective- delusions/hallucinations continue once mania/depression has passed.
Other schizophrenic symptoms present.
What is the difference between schizophrenia and delusional disorder?
Delusional disorder = symptoms have lasted 1 month
Schizophrenia = symptoms have lasted 6 months
How long do brief psychotic disorders have to be to be classified as such?
more than 1 day, less than 1 month
with eventual return to normal functioning
Which types of hallucinations tend to suggest more of an organic cause than a psychiatric cause?
Elementary (simple) auditory hallucinations- noises
Visual hallucinations
Olfactory hallucinations
What two features characterise delirium?
Delusions/hallucinations
+
altered level of consciousness
What symptoms classify a mild depressive episode?
2 of: (mind, body, soul) mind- anhedonia body- reduced energy/activity soul- depressed mood
2 of:
mind- reduced concentration, pessimistic thoughts, ideas of self-harm
body- disturbed sleep, less appetite
soul- guilt/unworthiness, less self-esteem/confidence
NB count each , ___ , as one
How is a moderate depressive episode classified differently to a mild depressive episode?
mild- two A and two B symptoms
moderate- two A and three B symptoms
A= anhedonia, reduced energy/activity, depressed mood
B= pessamistic, self harm thoughts, reduced concentration
disrupted sleep, less appetite
low self-esteem, guilt/unworthiness
How is severe depressive episode classified?
all of type A + 4 of type B symptoms
A: anhedonia, low energy/activity, depressed mood
B: pessimism, ideas of self harm, low concentration
disrupted sleep, appetite
low self-esteem/confidence, guilt unworthiness
How long does depressed mood need to be present for to classify a mild, moderate or severe depressive episode?
2 weeks
What is Cotard’s syndrome in psychiatry?
In severe depression with psychosis, this is a rare syndrome where patient has a delusional belief that they are: dead or do no exist or are putrefying or have lost their blood/internal organs
What organic causes can prompt a depressive episode?
Glands: Hypothyroidism Cushing's (ACTH) Hypoparathyroidism SEs of steroids or antihypertensives Dementia
Who benefits from antidepressant medication?
Evidence suggests only the most severely depressed patients
What neurotransmitter in which area is thought to cause positive symptoms in schizophrenia
Brainstem to limbic system- too much dopamine might cause positive systems
Which neurotransmitter in which area is thought to cause negative symptoms in schizophrenia?
Brainstem to mesocortical system- too little dopamine might cause negative systems
Why are atypicals used first line instead of typical antipsychotics in schizophrenia?
Less severe side effects, not extra-pyramidal ones
Why do antipsychotics cause movement disorders in schizophrenia?
Brainstem to basal ganglia- blocking dopamine causes movement disorders leading to too much acetylcholine (so needs Anti-Ach)
Blocking dopamine receptors in the hypothalamus causes what side effects in antipsychotics?
Brainstem to hypothalamus- blocking dopamine leads to hyperprolactinaemia
Start an antipsychotic for schizophrenia but it doesn’t work, so switch drug. How long should you wait to see if response?
4-6 weeks
If two medications are tried and don’t help for a patient with schizophrenia, what is the next line?
For treatment resistant schizophrenia:
Clozapine
What is the risky side effect of high dose antipsychotics?
(May occur by giving dose above BNF recommendation or two combined drugs that work in the same way)
Why does this side effect arise?
Long QT syndrome- cardiac arrhythmia
Due to blocking K+ channels
What extrapyramidal SEs occur with schizophrenia medication- antipsychotics?
Dystonia- torticollis, occulo-gyral crisis
Tardive dyskinesia- irreversible
Akathisia- restless, moving around alot
How should dystonia SE be eased in a patient taking antipsychotics?
Procyclidine IM or IV if acute
(antimuscarinic)
Switch from typical drug to an atypical
What can be given to psychotic patients taking antipsychotics who have developed restlessness and are constantly shifting and fidgeting?
Propranolol- b blocker for AKATHISIA
extrapyramidal SE
What is the danger of antimuscarinics?
Patients can get addicted as it causes euphoria, may fabricate extrapyramidal SEs
watch out if previous substance misuse issues
CIs for anticholinergics?
Untreated urinary retention
Glaucoma
GI obstruction
(causes muscle relaxation)
Patient has fever, confusion and rigidity
PMH: schizophrenia
DHx: recent change in antipsychotic meds
Obs: HR 105
What might be occurring?
What blood test would give elevated result?
Rx?
Malignant Neuroleptic syndrome
Elevated creatinie kinase
Rehydrate
Ventilate
Sedate (benzodiazepines)
don’t Hesitate to withdraw antipsychotic
What antipsychotic medication might work well once someone has had neuroleptic syndrome?
One that can be washed out quickly:
Short half life
Doesn’t bind to dopamine receptors very tightly
eg.
What medical checks can be done to check for antipsychotic medication SEs?
Prolactin levels- hyperprolactinaemia Weight- weight gain Blood glucose- diabetes BP standing or sitting- postural hypotension ECG- CVS impact
Random drug screens- if think misuse problems
What is the big risk of clozapine?
What tests need to be preformed prior to treatment?
Tests during treatment?
Agranulocytosis
Before:
FBC- look at WBCs and RBCs
ECG- arrhythmia
During:
FBC- weekly then fortnightly for 18 weeks then monthly (after a year)
What are the CI for Clozapine antipsychotic?
Carbamazapine (epilepsy)
Cytotoxics
Carbimazole (hyperthroidism Rx)
as all increase risk of neutropenia
What is the risk of patient taking clozapine and smoking?
When someone stops smoking, it had previously been causing enzyme induction so loss of this causes reduced metabolism of clozapine and increased drug levels + toxicity.
Patient is having a violent psychosis. Have no background information on the patient. What to do temporarily?
Rapid tranquilization- Lorazepam
For a manic episode with no prior diagnosis what medications are considered?
If this doesn’t work?
Stop antidepressant
1st: antipsychotic
2nd: alternative antipsychotic
3rd: add lithium
4th: try valproate
For elderly patients taking lithium for Bipolar Disorder, how often do they need monitoring?
Every 3 months ish
Check renal function- GFR, creatinine, urea etc
What blood abnormality are patients taking valproate at risk of?
Thrombocytopenia
How does valpoate influence warfarin levels?
Causes increase in active drug level leading to raised INR because valproate displaces protein-bound Warfarin (that is inactive) to become free Warfarin (that is active).
For someone in a depressive phase of their bipolar disorder, what can be given?
SSRI- antidepressant
+ mood stabilizer- to prevent manic swing (like olanzapine or lamotragine)
What is the big side effect of lamotragine we worry about?
Rash- Stephen Johnson syndrome
Bipolar Disorder long term Rx?
once out the manic or depressive phase
1st: lithium
2nd: lithium + valproate
How long ideally should a mood stabiliser be tapered off for before stopping?
3 months ish
What is the risk of overdose in citalopram?
Long QT syndrome- citalopram is an SSRI
Patient switching between SSRIs for their depression. Has become restless and confused.
Notice there is a tremor present.
Why?
Seratonin syndrome
For Rx resistant depression, not eating or drinking, what are the options?
Venlafaxine
SSRI + Mirtazepine
add lithium
add antipsychotic- if symptomatic
ECT
What symptoms do you get when you discontinue antidepressants?
Restlessness Mood change Sleep difficulty Unsteady Sweating GI effects
Risk factors for hyponaturaemia when taking antidepressants?
old age
female low birth weight
low baseline Na+
hypothyroidism
diabetes
concurrent medication
warm weather
Why would someone with Parkinson’s be more at risk of psychotic symptoms?
Reduced dopamine break down in the gut wall by dopa decarboxylase leads to increased dopamine agonism.
Why are elderly people more at risk of anti-cholinergic side effects and delirium?
Lower levels of ACh
Lower levels of acetyl transferase
Lower levels of post-synaptic ACh receptors
Definition of delirium?
An acute, transient, global, organic disorder of higher nervous system function involving altered consciousness and attention
What changes in mood may be associated with delirium?
Anxiety Depression Lability Irritability Aggression
Common infectious causes of delirium in the elderly?
Respiratory
Urinary
Cellulitis
CNS: encephalitis + meningitis
Commoner metabolic causes of delirium in elderly?
hypo/hyperglycaemia uraemia hepatic failure electrolyte disturbance hypoxia
Medications that may be causing delirium in elderly:
Anticholinergics (inc. digoxin, warfarin, cimetidine) psychotropic drugs steroids anticonvulsants overdose
What two criteria need to be met in IDC for delirium?
Acute onset/fluctuating course
Inattention- spell WORLD backwards or count down from 30
+1 of:
incoherent, illogical speech
or disorganised thinking
or altered level of consciousness
Rx options for delirium?
Rx to avoid? why?
antipsychotics- haloperidol/olanzipine
try to avoid benzodiazipines due to falls risk
What would you look for on an MRI to identify Alzheimers?
Bilateral hippocampal atrophy
Alzheimers patient with PMH bradycardiac. Rx?
Can’t give anti-cholinesterase
give Mimantine (glutamate blocker)
Term for when person fails to recognise relatives + friends etc
prosopagnosia
Which antipsychotic is used in lewy body dementia where they are having hallucinations?
Clozapine as it acts on D4 receptor rather than D2
Avoid most antipsychotics as they’re dopamine antagonists
If want to differentiate between lewy body dementia and alzheimers what test can be performed?
DaTscan
dopamine transporter scan
What are the beneficial side effects of mitazipine for old age depression?
Weight gain and sleep
for little old ladies who are having difficulty sleeping
What side effects does Olanzapine (Antipsychotic) cause?
Metabolic syndrome
What is the risk of giving a patient with dementia antipsychotics (especially in the long term)
Increased risk of stroke
What is the risk of giving delirious patients sleeping tablets to sedate them?
It causes drowsiness rather than sleep so will increase falls risk. Shouldn’t be given for walking around shouting, only give if actually hitting out (harm to themselves or others)
If hallucinations present, what conditions are less likely?
Neurosis- hypochondria, obsessive behaviour, depression, anxiety
Personality disorder
(Could be schizophrenia, affective disorder, organic disorder, paranoid state)
What are hypogogic and hypnopompic hallucinations?
Hallucinations that occur as someone wakes or falls asleep.
Doesn’t indicate pathology.
What type of hallucinations are more suggestive of an organic disorders?
Tactile and visual hallucinations
(Without auditory hallucinations)
Could be alcohol withdrawal or Charles Bonnet syndrome (failing vision in elderly)
Which condition are primary delusions associated with?
Schizophrenia
Delusion arrived fully formed with no events or experiences to account for it
What factors are most important in a risk assessment of risk towards self and others?
- Previous violence (PMH)
- Substance abuse (DHx)
- Lack of empathy (PC)
- Stress (SHx)
What characteristics of amnesia make it more likely to be due to dissociation rather than an organic cause?
Dissociative more likely: distant and near memories
Organic: short term memories impaired (holding 7 things in mind)
What diurnal variation in mode is typical of depression?
Low mood tends to be worse in the mornings
What categories can depression be classified with?
Mild, moderate, severe
± biological features
± delusions/hallucinations
± manic episodes (if bipolar)
What alterations of receptor distribution are found in the brains of whose who have committed suicide?
Excess 5-HT2 receptors in the frontal cortex
May suggest lack of 5-HT
What treatment may help in perimenopausal depression?
17b-estradiol, by exerting hormonal effects on neurone activity
What factors of depression suggest a good response to antidepressants?
Presence of biological features or stress
Which supplements may reduce suicidal behaviour?
Omega 3 supplements
What are the three P’s defining characteristics of personality disorders?
Pervasive- effects all types of relationships (work, home)
Problematic
Persistent- lasting more than a year, always a problem
What characteristics and personality types are found in Cluster A of personality disorders?
Odd/eccentric:
Paranoid
Schizoid (solitary, indifferent, aloof)
Schizotypal (isolated, odd beliefs)
Main difference between schizoid and schizotypal personality disorder?
Schizoid don’t form relationships because no desire to, whereas schizotypal fear interactions and so don’t.
Both cluster A (odd/eccentric behaviour)
What characteristics and types of personality disorder are associated with cluster B?
Dramatic or emotional behaviour:
Antisocial (psychopathic)
Borderline (Impulsive, unstable extremes of emotion)
Histrionic (attention seeking, lively, flirtatious)
Narcissistic (self-important, vanity)
What characteristics and personality disorders come under cluster 3?
Anxious or avoidant behaviour:
Avoidant (feel inadequate, shy, hypersensitive)
Dependent (reliant on others for emotional/physical needs)
Obsessive-compulsive (perfectionism)
What’s the difference between OCD and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder?
OCD is an anxiety, behaviours are unwanted and thoughts seen as involuntary.
OC personality disorder sees behaviours as rational and desirable
What management options can be used to help people with Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder?
CBT
Anti-libidinal drugs (SSRIs or anti-androgens)
Risks of anti-androgens (Cyproterone acetate)?
Liver damage Breast growth Hot flushes Depression Reduced bone density
GnRH analogues may be better.
How can benzodiazepines be used to reduce the chance of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome occurring?
Use on alternate nights
Short term use
What happens in benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome?
After 1 week: anxiety or psychosis Then months of gradually reducing (HIPA): hyperactivity insomnia panic agrophobia depression
What can benzodiazepine withdrawal be confused with?
Multiple Sclerosis due to:
Diplopia, parasthaesia, fasciculation, ataxia
What helps patients give up benzodiazepines?
3 things
- Switch to long-acting benzos (diazepam)
- Communicate:
advantages
A contract to say if weekly supply is used up early, no further supply
Likely effects of withdrawal - Withdraw 2mg/week
How much should diazepam be reduced by when weaning off benzodiazepines?
2mg per week