Psych Flashcards
Common abnormalities seen on neuroimaging in Schizophrenia patients:
Loss of cortical tissue volume
Ventricular enlargement w/lateral vent. enlargement being the most common
Decreased volume of the Hippocampus and amygdala
What neuroimaging abnormalities are a/w Huntington dx?
Atrophy of the caudate nucleus
What neuroimaging abnormalities have been a/w OCD?
Structural abnormalities in the orbitofrontal cortex and basal ganglia
What has been a/w accelerated head growth during infancy and increased total brain Vol.?
Autism
Features of Persistent complex bereavement disorder:
Aka complicated/prolonged/complex grief Prolonged grief (>12mo after loss) Difficulty accepting the death Persistent yearning for the deceased Avoidance of reminders of the deceased
What are cxs of untx’d Persistent complex bereavement disorder?
Can continue for yrs or decades.
May result in poor quality of life, increased substance use, and increased mortality d/t medical conditions or suicide.
What are the common early AEs of SSRIs?
N/D, HA, increased anxiety and insomnia or somnolence.
Pts w/ anxiety disorders are more likely to experience these and should be started on lower doses than those used to tx Depression
Often have to temporarily lower the dosage in pts who experience these.
Features of postpartum blues:
Occur in 40-48% of new mothers
Onset: 2-3d and resolves w/in 2 weeks
Have mild depression, tearfulness, and irritability
Mgmt: reassurance and monitoring
Features of post-partum depression:
Occurs in 8-15% of mothers
Onset: 4-6wks, can be up to 1yr
Have 2+ wks of moderate to severe depression, sleep/appetite changes, low E, psychomotor changes, guilt, concentration difficulty, and possibly suicidal ideation
Mgmt: antidepressants and psychotherapy
Features of postpartum psychosis:
Occurs in 0.1-0.2% of mothers
Onset: days-weeks
Have delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thoughts, bizarre behavior and possibly depressive sxs.
Mgmt: antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and hospitalization – medical emergency
Have increased risk of infanticide
Contraindications to Lithium therapy:
CKD, heart disease, hyponatremia or diuretic use
Baseline studies to check before starting Lithium tx:
BUN/Cr (BMP) Ca2+ UA Thyroid fxn tests ECG in pts w/coronary risk factors Urine BhCG in women
AEs of Lithium therapy:
Acute: Tremor, ataxia, weakness, polyuria/dipsia, V/D, cognitive impairment
Chronic: Nephrogenic DI, CKD, Thyroid dysfxn, Hyperparathyroidism
What are the indications and AEs of Clozapine tx?
Indications – tx-resistant schizophrenia and schizophrenia a/w suicidality
AEs: Agranulocytosis, Seizures, Myocarditis, Metabolic syndrome
What should be given to agitated pts w/acute mania?
An antipsychotic, often needed to be given IM.
Lithium and mood stabilizers don’t have a quick enough onset of axn
What anti-PD Rxs have the greatest risk of psychosis?
The DA-agonists: Pramipexole and Ropinirole
What should be started in Parkinson pts w/psychosis?
If they fail medication adjustments then a low-potency antipsych w/minimal DA-2 R antagonism (Quetiapine, Clozapine or Pimavanserin) should be added.
Tx for specific phobia disorders:
1st line: CBT w/exposure
Short-acting benzos can be used in a limited role to help acutely
What kind of drug is Fluoxetine?
SSRI
What kind of drug is Vanlafaxine?
SNRI
What are the four criteria required to dx Schizophreniform?
1: 2+ of the following, each present for the majority of 1mo – delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behavior, negative sxs.
2: An episode of illness >1mo but <6mo
3: Rule out schizoaffective, bipolar, and MDD w/psychotic feats.
4: Sxs can’t be attributed to substance use or another medical condition
What is schizoid personality disorder?
Social withdrawal w/out psychosis
What type of drug is Phenelzine?
MAOI – txs atypical and refractory depression and anxiety.
What type of drug is Buspirone?
An anxiolytic – txs GAD.
How are Lewy Body and Alzheimer’s dementia differentiated?
LB has an early loss of executive fxning (planning/executing tasks) w/ relatively preserved memory.
LB pts also commonly have vivid visual hallucinations early in the dx course.
What Rxs are contraindicated in LB dementia?
Neuroleptics – esp. typical antipsychs.
These can cause irreversible and severe Parkinsonism, depressed consciousness and worsening confusion/agitation.
These pts are also at increased risk for NMS w/ these Rxs.
What is often found on histo examination of a brain w/Pick disease?
Aka Frontotemporal dementia
See silver-staining, intracellular, ovoid accumulations of Tau protein – “Pick bodies”
Most common clinical presentation of atypical antipsych toxicity:
Signs of histamine & a-Adrenergic blockade, and anticholinergic toxicity.
Histamine blockade – lethargy/sedation
a-Adrenergic blockade – miosis, tachycardia, ortho HoTN, etc.
anticholinergic toxicity – dry mouth, facial flushing, confusion, etc.
** May produce false+ for TCAs on Utox – esp. Quetiapine **
What is the suggested pharmacotherapy to tx Acute dystonias caused by anti-psychs?
Benztropine
Diphenhydramine
What is the suggested pharmacotherapgy to tx Akathisia d/t anti-psychs?
BB—propranolol
Benzos—lorazepam
Benztropine
What is the suggested pharmacotherapy to tx Rx-induced Parkinsonism?
Benztropine
Amantadine
What is the suggested pharmacotherapy to tx Tardive dyskinesia?
Valbenazine
What medications may precipitate delirium?
Introduction of Opioids, benzos or anticholinergics
Elderly are especially at risk
Tx of choice for adjustment disorder:
Psychotherapy
What effects do antipsychotics have on the different DA pathways?
Anti-psychs are DA-antagonists so they block the different pathways
Mesolimbic – accounts for the therapeutic effects of antipsychotics
Nigrostriatal – EPS: acute dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism
Tuberoinfundibular – hyperprolactinemia
How does decreased DA cause hyperprolactinemia?
DA secreted from the tuberoinfundibular pathway (which normally bind D2-Rs) inhibit prolactin release from the ant. pit. – when DA is blocked then there is no inhibition – hyperprolactinemia/gynecomastia/amenorrhea, etc.
What causes the delusions and hallucinations experienced in Schizophrenia?
Increased DA activity in the mesolimbic pathway – also responsible for the euphoria a/w drug use.
What structures are involved in each of the DA pathways?
Mesolimbic – extends from the ventral tegmental area to the limbic system
Nigrostriatal – extends from substantia nigra to the BG (involved in coordination of movement)
Tuberoinfundibular – projects from the hypothalamus to the pituitary gland
What is the classification criteria of Agoraphobia and what is it commonly associated with?
Agoraphobia must have anxiety and avoidance in 2+ situations in which it may be difficult to escape or get help. Often this develops in people with panic attacks.
Avoidance behavior and agoraphobia are best tx’d w/CBT
What are the more serious AEs of Lithium therapy?
Toxicity – N/V/D, coarse tremor, ataxia, AMS, slurred speech, renal failure, convulsions and coma
Nephrogenic DI/Renal impairment
Hypothyroidism (up to 34% F>M)
How is Lithium-induced Hypothyroidism managed?
TSH levels need to be drawn before initiating tx and then every 6-12mos.
If Hypothyroidism develops they are tx’d w/T4 – Levothyroxine
Shouldn’t dc lithium unless absolutely necessary
What is the DoC for EtOH withdrawal in the hospital setting?
Lorazepam – an intermediate acting Benzo that is safe in pts w/decreased liver fxn. bc it has no active metabolites.
Other benzos safe in liver dx and alcohol withdrawal: Oxazepam, and Temazepam. All three of these undergo phase II glucuronidation in the liver instead of phase I w/the P450s and therefore lack active metabolites harmful to the liver.
What is the DoC in Bipolar patients with possible renal dysfunction?
Valproate.
Lithium is unsafe in these pts. and can cause nephrogenic DI
Valproate though can cause hepatotoxicity and thrombocytopenia and these should be monitored.
What is reaction formation?
Transforming unacceptable feelings/impulses into the opposite.
What are the only 2 mature defense mechanisms?
Sublimation – channeling impulses into socially acceptable behaviors
Suppression – putting unwanted feelings aside to cope w/reality
Primary indications for DBT:
Borderline personality disorder.
Improves emotion regulation, distress intolerance, and mindfulness.
Decreases self harm and builds skills
What are the preferred SSRIs in terms of low-risk of Rx-interactions?
Sertraline and Escitalopram
Have especially low risk of interfering w/cardiac medications
Sxs and Exam findings of Opiate withdrawal:
Sxs – N/V/Abd cramping, diarrhea, muscle aches
Exam Findings – dilated pupils, yawning, rhinorrhea, piloerection, lacrimation, hyperactive bowel sounds
Sxs and exam findings of benzo withdrawal:
Sxs – tremors, anxiety, perceptual disturbances, psychosis, insomnia.
Exam findings – seizures, tachycardia, palpitations
What is the recommended tx for pediatric MDD?
Pharmacotherapy with SSRIs – Fluoxetine is DoC
Psychotherapy
What are the cluster A personality disorders?
Characterized as Odd/eccentric
Paranoid – suspicious, distrustful, hypervigilant
Schizoid – prefers to be a loner; detached and unemotional
Schizotypal – unusual thoughts, perceptions and behavior
What are the cluster B personality disorders?
Characterized as Dramatic/Erratic
Antisocial – disregard and violation of others rights
Borderline – chaotic relationships, abandonment fears, labile mood, impulsivity, inner emptiness, self-harm
Histrionic – superficial, theatrical, attention-seeking
What are the cluster C personality disorders?
Characterized as anxious/fearful
Avoidant – avoidance d/t fears of criticism and rejection
Dependent – submissive, clingy, needs to be taken care of
Obsessive-compulsive – rigid, controlling, perfectionistic
Antipsychotics with highest risk for Metabolic syndrome:
Clozapine
Olanzapine
When do nightmares occur?
During REM, and more frequent in 2nd half of the night.
What are the features of nightmare disorder?
Recurrent episodes of awakening from sleep w/recall of disturbing or frightening dreams.
On awakening the pt. is fully alert, remembers the dream and can usually be consoled.
When do sleep terrors occur?
During stage N3 of nREM sleep (deepest stage of sleep), more frequent in the first 3rd of the night.
What are the features of sleep terror disorder?
Incomplete awakenings, unresponsiveness to comfort and no recall of dream content.
Often have marked autonomic arousal and amnesia of the episode in the morning.
What are signs suspicious of co-ingestion/sedative-hypnotic overdose?
Severe CNS depression Bradycardia HoTN Respiratory depression Hyporeflexia
Isolated Benzo overdose typically the pts are still arousable and have normal VS.
Signs/symptoms of Neuroleptic malignant syndrome:
Fever >40C/104F
Confusion
Muscle rigidity
Autonomic instability (abnormal VS, sweating)
Tx of NMS:
Stop antipsychs/restart DA agents
Supportive care (hydration, cooling); ICU
Dantrolene or bromocriptine if refractory
Characteristic triad of Serotonin syndrome and tx:
Triad – autonomic instability, AMS, and neuromuscular irritability (hyperreflexia, myoclonus)
Tx – Cyproheptadine (a 5-HT antagonist)
Besides timeline what is one feature that differentiates Schizophrenia from Schizophreniform?
Schizophrenia requires a functional decline for diagnosis, Schizophreniform does not
What are the 3 first line tx options for smoking cessation and what are their contraindications?
1 – Transdermal patch and gum or lozenge (no contra’s)
2 – Varenicline (an a-4 B-2 nicotinic Ach-R partial agonist).
Contra’s: relative – preexisting CVD. It increases risk of CVS events in these pts.
3 – Buproprion (NE-DA reuptake inhibitor)
Contra’s: seizure disorders, active bulimia or anorexia
What are some common mood sxs of OSA?
Depressed mood, fatigue, sleep disturbance w/multiple awakenings, impaired concentration, irritability, and low mood.
What CD4 count is a/w HIV-dementia?
CD4 < 200
What are the common signs/sxs of HIV-dementia?
Onset is often subacute w/increasing apathy and impaired attn.
Subcortical (BG and NGS) dysfxn occurs early w/ sxs of slowed movement and difficulty w/smooth limb movement
Next comes significant cortical neuronal loss and memory decline.
Drugs that can increase lithium levels:
Thiazides (decrease renal clearance) ACEIs NSAIDs Tetracyclines Metronidazole
Mgmt of Lithium toxicity:
Hemodialysis for severe cases
Mgmt of Catatonia:
Benzos – Lorazepam
ECT