Psych Flashcards
What are the 3 main symptoms of depression?
Low mood, Anergia and Anhedonia
What are the 3 types of eating disorders
Anorexia Nervosa - 0.6%
Bulimia Nervosa - 1%
Binge Eating Disorder - 2.8%
What is the age of onset for AN and BN?
AN - 16-22, all social classes
BN - >22y/o
What is eating disorders co-morbid with?
Substance misuse, depression and OCD
What is the heritability of AN?
58%
Whats the aetiology of BN?
5-HT dysregulation
What is a squad test? (ED)
tests for proximal myopathy
What is seen on an ECG for bulimia?
Long QT and bradycardia
What determines immediate admission for high risk eating disorder patients?
Low BMI <13 WL <1kg/week Septic looking signs (<34.5,BP<80/50, cold peripheries, thrombocytopenia/purpuric rash) HR <40bpm + long QT Suicide risk
ICD10 diagnostic criteria for AN:
- BMI <17.5 (or weight less than 15% expected weight)
- deliberate weight loss
- fear of fat/distorted body image
(should have no endocrine dysfunction)
How do you calculate BMI
weight (KG)/ height (M)^2
What is atypical anorexia nervosa?
Young boys that are losing weight to get a six pack but are currently at a healthy weight
What is the weight of BN and AN?
AN - underweight
BN - normal weight (BMI > 17.5)
Can there be binging and purging in AN?
Yes
3 diagnostic criteria for Bulimia:
1) Binging or persistent preoccupation with eating and/or irresistible craving for food
2) Purging behaviours (diuretics, excessive exercise, laxatives, insulin therapy, vomiting)
3) Psychotherapy (feeling loss of control, morbid dread of fatness)
Signs and symptoms of Bulimia:
- Less severe but similar to anorexia
- Amenorrhoea despite normal weight
What is binge eating disorder?
Most common eating disorder but no purging pathology
Differential for Bulimia:
upper GI disorder, personality disorder, depressive disorder, obesity
Management for bulimia? (mild)
- Screen for immediate admission otherwise manage in the community
- Guided self-help, recommend BEAT charity, monitor for 12 weeks
- Routine referral to CEDS if failure to respond
FEATURES: infrequent binging and purging (<2 weeks)
Management for bulimia? (moderate)
- Screen for immediate admission otherwise manage in the community
- Guided self-help, recommend BEAT charity, monitor for 8 weeks
- Routine referral to CEDS if failure to respond
FEATURES: frequent binging and purging (> 2 weeks), some medical consequences such as chest pain
Management for bulimia? (severe)
- Screen for immediate admission otherwise manage in the community
- Urgent referral to CEDS (community eating disorder service)
FEATURES: daily purging, significant electrolyte imbalance, comorbidity
Prognosis of Bulimia?
After 10 years, 70% recover and 1% die. Better than AN.
What are bad prognostic indicatiors of bulimia?
- Very low weight
- Severe binging/purging
- Co-morbid depression
Biochemical changes of bulimia?
Hypokalaemia (vomitting)
Hypercalcaemia
Management of bulimia presentation at GP?
- Treat medical condition (dental review regularly for acid wear on teeth)
- Treat co-morbid psychiatric illness (depression, OCD, substance misuse)
Medication treatment of moderate-severe bulimia?
SSRIs (high dose 60mg fluoxetine) –> reduce binging and purging and helps impulses
Plan for children and adults (therapy) in bulimia.
Children: 1st line - family therapy
Adults: 1st line - Guided self-help programmed; 2nd line - CBT-ED
Investigations for Bulimia?
Check electrolytes and ECG changes.
What is refeeding syndrome?
- Seen in eating disorder patients
- Characterised by electrolyte imbalance (principally low serum phosphate, potassium, and magnesium) caused by their sudden intracellular movement due to the switch from fat to carbohydrate metabolism and associated increased secretion of insulin
- Defined mainly by low phosphate
- Low K (arrythmias) > Low PO4 (hypophosphatemic HF) > Low Mg
- Signs: fatigue, weakness, confusion, high BP, seizures, arrhythmia, heart failure
Risk factors for Anorexia?
OCD
Childhood feeding difficulties
Family history
Signs and symptoms of anorexia?
Secondary to malnutrition (restricting subtype) and binge-purging
Can binging, purging and vomiting also be anorexia?
Yes if they are underweight. Normal weight is bulimia.
What are differential diagnosis of anorexia?
- Medical causes of weight loss (e.g. hyperthyroidism, malignancy, gastrointestinal disease, Addison’s disease, chronic infection, inflammatory conditions, and AIDS)
- Depression
- BN
- Psychosis (self-starvation might occur if food is believed to be poisoned)
- Eating disorder not otherwise specified
- Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD is a condition characterised by body image distortion (e.g.belief that the nose is misshapen. Deliberate weight loss in BDD would be unusual)
Is there ever watchful waiting for eating disorders?
No
Immediate admission for eating disorder:
Urgent medical treatment is needed in high-risk patients with nutritional decompensation. Markers of this include:
• BMI <13
• weight loss >1kg/week
• purpuric rash
• cold peripheries
• core body temperature <34.5°C
• hypotension (systolic <80mmHg, diastolic <50mmHg)
• bradycardia (<40bpm) with prolonged QT interval on ECG
Management of anorexia (mild):
-Monitor/advice/support for 8 weeks
-Beat charity support
FEATURES: BMI>17, no additional co-morbidity
- Routine referral fo CEDS if failure to respond
Management of anorexia (moderate):
- Routine referral to CEDS
FEATURES: BMI 15-17, no evidence of system failure
Management of anorexia (severe):
- Urgent referral to CEDS (community eating disorder service)
FEATURES: BMI<15, rapid weight loss, evidence in system failure
Management of anorexia for GP presentation?
- Engage and educate (stop laxatives/diuretic use as it does not reduce calorie intake)
- Signpost support (beat charity, MIND, NHS)
- Treat co-morbid psychiatric illness (depression, OCD, substance misuse)
What is the eating disorder questionnaire?
SCOFF questionnaire
- Do you make yourself Sick (induce vomiting) because you feel uncomfortably full?
- Do you worry that you have lost Control over how much you eat?
- Have you recently lost more than One stone (14 lb [6.4 kg]) in a three-month period?
- Do you think you are too Fat, even though others say you are too thin?
- Would you say that Food dominates your life?
One point for every yes answer; a score 2 indicates a likely case of anorexia nervosa or bulimia
nervosa (sensitivity: 100 percent; specificity: 87.5 percent).
Plan for anorexic patients at GP?
- Nutrition and weight restoration (set target weight + make eating plan to gain 0.5-1kg/week)
- CBT-ED, MANTRA or SSCM (or family therapy if less than 18 years)
Endocrine dysfunction in anorexia:
The hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis is affected, causing amenorrhoea in women and impotence in men. Libido is lost in both sexes. If AN begins before puberty, menarche and breast development are delayed or arrested.
Prognosis of anorexia:
After 10 years, 50% recover, 10% die and 40% ongoing problems
Bad prognostic factors for anorexia:
- Very low weight
- Later onset
- Bulimic features
- Longer illness duration
Complications of anorexia:
- Infertility
- Early death
- Osteoporosis
- Cardia arrhythmias and failure
Children management of anorexia
1st line: Family therapy
2nd line: ED-CBT
When and what medication therapy for anorexia
When: If physical symptoms such as rapid weight loss and BMI<13.5
What: Fluoxetine (especially if there are preoccupations with food)
Indications for family therapy for eating disorders
- Short history of illness
- Young onset (less than 19)
Indications of interpersonal therapy for ED:
- Longer history of illness
- Onset older (later-onset disease)
2nd line treatment of anorexia
- All if 1st line is unacceptable
- Eating-disorder-focussed Focal Psychodynamic Therapy (FPT)
- Adolescent-focussed psychotherapy (AFP)
- Motivational interviewing
1st Line treatment of anorexia
Offer any of these:
1) CBT-ED - 40 weekly sessions (address low self-esteem, perfectionism and control issues)
2) Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment in Adults (MANTRA) - 20 weekly sessions (focus on what the cause of anorexia is)
3) Specialist Supportive Clinical Management (SSCM) - 20 weekly sessions led by practitioner (explore problems of anorexia, educate on nutrition and eating habits, explore a future beyond anorexia)
Investigations of anorexia
- Height, weight, and BMI.
- Squat test: Ask the patient to squat down and rise to standing without using their arms (difficult with proximal myopathy).
- Essential blood tests
• ESR, TFTs—exclude most organic causes of weightloss, e.g. hyperthyroidism. ESR is normal or low in anorexia.
• FBC, U&E, phosphate, albumin, LFT, creatininekinase, glucose—evaluate nutritional state and risk. - ECG: Bradycardia, arrhythmias, and a prolongedQT interval.
- Other tests as indicated, e.g. DEXA scans (low bonedensity).
What are the different type of psychotherapies for eating disorders?
Psychotherapies
• Motivational interviewing is an important approach when trying to engage ambivalent patients who lack insight into their disorder—or hold positive views of their illness
• Family therapy—rather than simply focusing on the patient, this involves the whole family. Patients with a short history of early onset anorexia (onset before 19 years) show greatest response.
• Interpersonal therapy aims at improving social functioning and interpersonal skills. This is better for patients with later onset or longer duration of illness.
• Cognitive behavioural therapy—addresses control, low self-esteem, and perfectionism
What are the conditions of inpatient anorexia treatment
- BMI <13 or extremely rapid weight loss
- serious physical complications
- high suicide risk
The 3 Ps of personality disorder
- Pervasive: occurs in all/most areas of life
- Persistent: evident in adolescence and continues through adulthood
- Pathological: cause distress to self or others, impairs function
What is Cluster A personality disorder
- Odd or eccentric
“Weird” - Paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal
What is Cluster B personality disorder
- Dramatic, erratic or emotional
“Wild” - Dissocial, borderline (EUPD), histrionic, narcissistic
What is Cluster C personality disorder
- Anxious and fearful
“Worried” - Anankastic, anxious-avoidant, dependant
What is the ICD-10 definition of personality disorder:
- A set of consistent thoughts, feelings and behaviours shown across in time in a variety of settings which may lead to suffering of the individual or others “exaggerated personality traits”
ICD 10 Personality disorder criteria
R- relationships affected (pathological)
E - enduring (persistent)
P - Pervasive
O - Onset in childhood/adolescence (Persistent)
R - Results in distress (Pathological)
T - Trouble in occupational/social performance (Pathological)
OCEAN personality factors (not required by ICD-10)
O - openess to imagination C - Conscientiousness E - Extraversion A - Agreeableness N - Neuroticism
Aetiology and epidemiology of personality disorder
M > F in cluster A, anankastic, dissocial types
F > M in histrionic, emotionally unstable types
Around 10% of the population and 2% have EUPD
What neurotransmitter is low in personality clutster B types
Low 5-HT/seretonin levels.
What is a schizotypal personality?
- There are some positive schizophrenia symptoms
- Eccentric thoughts and ideas (main difference between this and schizoid)
- Paranoid or bizarre ideas
- Social withdrawal
- Cold/inappropriate affect
What is a schizoid personality?
- Negative schizophrenia symptoms
Paranoid personality disorder symptoms
S- Sensitive U- Unforgiving S- Suspicious P- Posessive and jealous personality disorder E- Excessive self-importance C- Conspiracy theories T- Tenacious sense of rights Differentials: Schizophrenia, delusional disorder
Schizoid personality disorder symptoms
A- Anhedonic
L- Limited emotional range
L- Little sexual interest
A- Apparent indifference to praise/criticism
L- Lack close relationships
O- One player activities
N- Normal social conventions ignored
E- Excessive fantasy world
Differentials: Depression, autism spectrum, psychosis, phobia
JUST NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA
Histrionic personality disorder symptoms
A - Attention seeking C - Concerned with appearance T - Theatrical O - Open to suggestion R - Racy and suggestive S - Shallow affect Differentials: BAPD 1/2, substance
EUPD symptoms
A - Affective instability
E - Explosive behaviour
I - Impulsive (inc self harm)
O - Outburts of anger
U - Unable to plan/consider consequences
Differentials: affective disorder, psychosis
Dissocial personality symptoms
F - Forms, but cannot maintain relations
I - Irresponsible
G - Guiltless
H - Heartless
T - Temper easily lost
S - Someones else’s fault
Differentials: Substance misuse, psychosis, manic
2 types of EUPD
- Borderline (disturbance in self-thoughts)
- Impulsive (mainly impulsivity)
Anankastic personality disorder symptoms
D - Doubtful E - Excessive detail T - Tasks not completed A - Adheres to rules I - Inflexible L - Likes own way E - Excludes pleasure and relationships D - Dominated by intrusive thoughts Differentials: OCD, autism spectrum
Anxious/avoidant personality disorder
A - Avoids social contact
F - Fear rejection/criticism
R - Restrictive lifestyle
A - Apprehensiveness
I - Inferiority
D - Does not get involved unless sure of acceptance
Differentials: phobia, autism, schizophrenia, depression
Dependant personality disorder
S - Subordinate U - Undemanding F - Fears abandonment F - Feels helpless when alone E - Encourages others to make decisions R - Reassurance needed Differentials: Cognitive impairment, anxiety disorder
What is splitting?
An immature response where a person cannot reconcile the good and bad in someone and only views people as all good or all bad
(often cannot maintain relationships)
What is dissociation?
An immature ego defence where one assumes a different identity with a situation
What is sublimation?
A mature ego defence where one takes an unacceptable personality trait and uses it to drive a respectable work that does not conflict with their ego/values (eg youth with anger issues signs up to a boxing academy)
What is reaction formation?
An immature ego defence where one suppresses unacceptable emotions and replaces them with their exact opposite (eg a man with homoerotic desires becomes a champion of anti-homo policy)
What is regression?
Revert to an immature behaviour in a stressful situation (bang desk in frustration)
What is identification?
Someone models the behaviour of someone else (eg an older brother playing with a dead younger brothers toys)
What is displacement?
Defence mechanism when someone takes out their emotions on a neutral person (not likely to respond to them)
What is projection?
A person assumes an innocent/neutral character is responsible or as guilty as the patient, for the patient’s actions
Investigations for personality disorder?
- Collateral history
- Check for REPORT criteria
- List personality traits and match to cluster criteria (> 3 and REPORT required)
Management of personality disorder?
1st Line: Crisis plan (contact numbers, sedative antihistamies)
Biopsychosocial approach:
Meds: Antipsychotics, Antidepressants, Anticonvulsants
What medication reduces impulsivity and aggression in Cluster B?
Antipsychotics
What medication reduces impulsivity and anxiety in Cluster B/C?
Antidepressants (SSRIs)
What medication is useful for labile (quickly changing) affect in Cluster B?
Anticonvulsants (Lithium)
What type of CBT is 1st line in antisocial PD?
Group based CBT
What is DBT?
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (subtype of CBT)
- 1st line of Emotionally unstable PD
What is the indication of DBT?
- Focuses on factors contributing to emotional instability
What 2 factors does DBT aim to introduce?
Validation: emotions are acceptable
Dialectics: Showing you things in life are rarely black or white, helping be more open
What is CAT?
- Similar to CBT
- Cognitive analytics therapy
- Focuses on specific issues to describe, understand their origins, and develop methods to change ideas surrounding the specific problems
What is metallisation? And what is it used for?
For emotionally unstable PD
- Integrative psychotherapy; bringing together aspects of psychodynamic, CBT and systemic approaches
- Teaches you how to think about thinking
- This can help you understand other people’s viewpoints as you can examine their thinking
What is a Type A personality?
- Impatient, aggressive, competitive people, thought to be at higher risk of heart disease
What is PD associated with? (Fx history)
Personality disorder is associated with a family history of personality disorder, as well as a history of depression and alcohol dependency
What childhood temperament is associated with PD?
Children with ‘difficult’ temperaments have greater problems coping as adults, possibly because they find it harder to develop supportive relationships, and are more distressed by negative events. Early attachment difficulties are also associated with personality disorder
Childhood experience and PD?
Personality disorder is associated with insecure attachment and traumatic, neglectful, or chaotic upbringing.Many people experience traumatic childhoods, and it is not understood why most are resilient, whilst others develop a personality disorder or another mental illness(e.g. depression, eating disorders, or schizophrenia).
What is acting out?
Impulses are expressed through actions, without conscious awareness of the underlying emotion (e.g. Phoebe’s self-harm rather than sadness)
What is fantasising?
Using imagination to escape from the painfulness of reality (e.g. Masson’s daydreams prevent him from feeling lonely).
What is the neurotransmitter theory of PD?
There is evidence of lower serotonin levels in dissocial personality disorder. Serotonin has been implicated in regulation of impulsivity and aggression
EUPD (borderline) symptoms
S - Self-image unclear
C -Chronic empty feelings
A -Abandonment fears
R - Relationships are intense and unstable
S - Suicides and self harm
Differentials: adjustment disorder, depression, psychosis (patients occasionally experience fleeting psychotic features)
EUPD (impulsivity) symptoms
L - Lacks impulse control
O - Outbursts or threats of violence
S - Sensitivity to being thwarted or criticized
E - Emotional instability
I - Inability to plan ahead
T - Thoughtless of consequences
Differentials: Adult ADHD, affective disorder, adjustment disorder
What is the definition of substance misuse?
A pattern of substance use causing physical, mental, social and occupational dysfunction
What is acute intoxication?
A transient state of emotional and behavioural change after psychoactive substance use: dose dependant and time limited
What 3 things does physical withdrawal only occur from?
- Alcohol
- Opiates
- Benzodiazepines
What is harmful use?
A pattern of use likely to cause physical or psychological damage.
What is dependancy?
A cluster of physiological, behavioural and cognitive symptoms in which the use of a substance takes a much higher priority than other behaviours that once had a greater value (ICD-10)
What is withdrawal?
A transient state occurring while readjusting to lower levels of a drug in the body.
What is psychotic disorder?
Psychotic symptoms occurring during or immediately after PS use, characterised by vivd hallucinations, abnormal affect, psychomotor disturbances, persecutory delusions and delusions of reference.
What is amnesic disorder?
Memory and other cognitive impairments cause by substance use (ie. Wernickes)
What is residual and late onset psychotic disorders?
Where effects on behaviour, affect or cognition lasting beyond the period during which direct PS effect might be expected.
What is the definition of impairment?
Any loss of abnormality of psychological, physiological or anatomical structure of function.
What is the definition of disability?
Any restriction or lack of ability (from impairment) to perform an activity considered normal
What is the definition of handicap?
A disadvantage for a given individual that limits or prevents the fulfilment of a role that is normal
What is the definition of a learning disability?
- IQ of less than 70
- Impaired social/adaptive functioning
- Onset in childhood
What are the levels of intellectual disability?
Mild - IQ 50-70
Moderate - IQ 35-50
Severe - IQ 20-35
Profound - IQ < 20
What are the indicators of LD?
LD register
LD school
Difficulty reading and writing
Special Education Needs Assessment
What is the signs and symptoms of children with LD?
Milestone delay
Difficulty managing schoolwork
Poor sleep-wake cycle
What is the signs and symptoms of adolescents with LD?
Difficulty with peers
Inappropriate sexual behaviours
Difficulty transitioning
What is the signs and symptoms of adults with LD?
Difficult day-to-day functioning
Needs extra support
What are the investigations for LD?
- Intellectual impairment: WAIS III (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale)
- Verbal IQ + Performance IQ = Full scale IQ
- Adaptive and social functioning: ABAS II (Adaptive behaviour assessment system) Clinical Interview (leave plenty of time) - establish presence in childhood Physical examinations (sight and hearing) School reports
What is the management of LD?
- Biopsychosocial MDT (psychiatrist, OT, SALT, specialist nurse, educational support, social support)
General help:
- Choice board
- Scheduling board
- Self-help board
- Communication aids
Medications: Start slow, go slow (treat co-morbid medical and psychiatric problems)
- Melatonin - helps with poor sleep cycles
Psychosocial interventions:
- CBT
- Family therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Art therapy
Challenging behaviours: (identify/remove cause –> behavioural analysis –> antipsychotics)
- Risperidone - short-term use, last line if no cause can be found
What are the complications of LD?
- Patients with LD have a higher prevalence of psychological symptoms than general population
- Can be difficulty diagnosing other psychological conditions due to language difficulties and atypical presentations
Is LD more prevalent in males than females?
Males
What is the clinical presentation of LD?
Learning disability usually presents in childhood, but may be missed if mild. Abilities can be delayed, reduced ,or absent in: • language • schooling • motor ability • independent living • employment • social ability
Behavioural difficulties may arise, secondary to a combination of communication problems, psychiatric or physical illness, epilepsy, or suboptimal support for individual needs. ‘Behavioural phenotypes’ are commonly recognized behaviours in particular syndromes, e.g. self-harm in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.
What are the symptoms of a mild LD disorder?
- Language is usually reasonably good, although its development may be delayed.
- Problems may go undiagnosed, although individuals struggle through school or may be labelled with behavioural problems.
- With appropriate support, many people live and work independently.
What are the symptoms or a moderate LD?
- Language and cognitive abilities are less developed.
- Reduced self-care abilities and limited motor skills may necessitate support.
- May need long-term accomodation with their family or in a staff-supported group home.
- Simple practical work should be achievable in supported settings.
What are the symptoms or a severe LD?
- Marked impairment of motor function.
- Little/no speech during early childhood (some may develop during school years).
- Simple tasks can be performed with assistance.
- Likely to require their family home or 24-hour-staffed home.
What are the symptoms or a profound LD?
- Severely limited language, communication, self-care, and mobility.
- Significant associated medical problems.
- Usually require higher levels of support.
What is diagnostic overshadowing?
Diagnostic overshadowing describes the tendency to attribute everything to the learning disability itself. Changes in behaviour, mental state, or ability are dismissed, despite usually indicating physical or mental illness in people without a learning disability.
What are differential diagnosis for LD?
- Autistic spectrum disorders: people with Asperger’s syndrome (autism with normal intelligence) may have significant social deficits, communication difficulties, and difficulties in living independently
- Epilepsy may cause transient cognitive impairment. Very frequent uncontrolled seizures can mimic persistent cognitive impairment.
- Adult brain injury or progressive neurological conditions: learning disabilities are neurodevelopmental disorders, occurring while the brain is still developing. If the patient presents late, it is important to decide whether or not impaired intellect was present before any adult illness.
- Psychiatric: severe and enduring mental illness such as schizophrenia can lead to chronic cognitive impairment, reduced social functioning, and associated speech disorders—mimicking a learning disability. Exclude intellectual impairment prior to the onset of psychiatric symptoms.
- Educational disadvantage/neglect: lacking the opportunity to learn must be distinguished from a learning disability
What are the investigations you can carry out for LD?
- IQ testing
- Functional assessment of skills, strengths and weakness
- Detailed developmental history from parents
- FBC, U&E, LFT, TFT, bone profile—to exclude reversible disturbances.
- Additional blood tests for known LD causes
- Investigations for associated physical illnesses, e.g.EEG for epilepsy
- Genetic testing if appropriate
Treatment steps for LD?
- Prevention
- Education
- Improved antenatal/perinatal care
- Genetic counselling
- Early detection and treatment of reversible causes - Treat physical comorbidity
- Treat psychiatric comorbidity
- Educational support
- Psychological therapy
- Other support
What is a medically unexplained symptom?
A physical complaint without evidence of underlying organic cause
What is a medically unexplained symptom by ICD 10?
Partial or complete loss of the normal integration between memories of the past, awareness of identity and immediate sensations and control of bodily movements.
What is dissociative disorder?
Disorders of physical functions under voluntary control and loss of sensation
- dissociation is a process of ‘separating off’ certain memories from normal consciousness
- in contrast to conversion disorder involves psychiatric symptoms e.g. Amnesia, fugue, stupor
- dissociative identity disorder (DID) is the new term for multiple personality disorder as is the most severe form of dissociative disorder
What is conversion disorder?
An internal conflict which is converted into physical manifestations
- typically involves loss of motor or sensory function
- the patient doesn’t consciously feign the symptoms (factitious disorder) or seek material gain (malingering)
- patients may be indifferent to their apparent disorder - la belle indifference - although this has not been backed up by some studies
What is somatisation disorder?
Disorders involving pain or autonomically-controlled sensations
- multiple physical SYMPTOMS present for at least 2 years
- patient refuses to accept reassurance or negative test results
Subtypes of dissociative disorder are?
- Dissociative amnesia: Loss of memory (too great to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness)
- Dissociative fugue: Dissociative amnesia + purposeful travel beyond everyday range (“Travel far and wide”)
- Dissociative stupor: Lack of voluntary movement/normal responses to external stimuli. Evidence of stress from recent events
- Trance and possession disorder: Temporary loss of personal identity and full sense of awareness of surroundings
- Dissociative motor disorders: Loss of ability to move whole/part of limbs. Close resemblance to ataxia, apraxia, akinesia, aphonia, dysarthria, dyskinesia and seizures.
- Dissociative convulsions: Mimic epileptic seizures (tongue biting, bruising from falls and incontinence is rare). Consciousness maintained or replace by a state of stupor or trance
- Dissociative anaesthesia: Areas of anaesthesia do not follow normal dermatomal distribution. May be accompanied by paresthesia.
Risk factors of dissociative disorders:
- Traumatic events
- Intolerable problems
- Disturbed relationships
Signs and symptoms of dissociative disorder:
Onset = acute, specific, dramatic, following sudden stress of conflict
Presentation:
- Paralysis
- Aphonia (cannot speak)
- Blindness
- Seizures
- Multiple personalities
- Stupor
- Fugue (loss of memory and wonder away from home)
- Psychogenic amnesia (loss of all memories, including own identity)
Investigations of dissociative disorder:
1st: Exclude organic cause
- raised prolactin after real seizure
- normal prolactin after dissociative convulsion
2nd: Identify and treat any co-morbid depression
Management of dissociative disorder:
- 75% of people have self-limiting spontaneous recovery
- Supportive therapy:
Encourage return to normal activity
Avoid reinforcing behaviour (providing a wheelchair for dissociative stupor/motor disorder)
Address physical stressors rather than focus on physical manifestations
What is somatisation? ICD-10 definition
- Multiple, recurrent and frequently changing physical symptoms of > 2 years.
- Have complicated history of contact with medical care –> many negative investigations carried out
- Symptoms may be referred to any part or system of the body
- The disorder is chronic and fluctuating –> disruption of social, interpersonal and family behaviour
Is somatisation more common in men or women?
10:1 Female to male
Subtypes of somatisation:
- Undifferentiated somatoform disorder: Multiple varying and persistent complaints of <2 years
- Hypochondrial disorder: Persistent preoccupation with idea of having a serious/progressive physical disorders. Normal sensations interpreted as abnormal or distressing. Co-morbid anxiety and/or depression common. Patient maintains their belief depite being told otherwise (overvalued idea) - Often cancer, pre-occupation with a single problem
- Somatoform autonomic dysfunction: Symptoms presented as if due to physical disorder of system/organ largely or completely under control of the ANS. Objective autonomic arousal (palpitations, sweating, flushing, tremor). Subjective non-specific (fleeting aches/pains, burning sensation, bloating)
- Persistent somatoform pain disorder: Persistent, severe and distressing pain (not otherwise explained). Evidence of emotional conflict of psychological problems
Signs and symptoms of somatisation:
- Multiple recurrent and frequently changing physical symptoms
- History of interactions with medical professionals without outcomes
- Social and occupational impacts
Investigations of somatisation:
- Full history and MSE (with physical examination)
- Exclude organic cause (eg stroke)
- Exclude co-morbid conditions (eg. with HADS for potential depression)
Management of somatisation disorder:
Make sure continuity of care - see by the same doctor each time
1st: Explain and reassure
2nd: CBT
Also treat co-morbid conditions (eg depression)
Definition of somatisation?
This is the unconscious expression of psychological distress through physical symptoms ,e.g. rather than anger, a patient experiences abdominal pain
Management of MUS?
- Assessment - history and examination
- Explain and reassure - Use the Reattribution Model:
• Ensure they feel understood.
• Broaden the agenda from a physical cause to a physical and psychological explanation.
• Make the link between symptoms and psycho-logical factors. - Avoid over-investigation, unnecessary specialist referral or medications
- Emotional support
- Encourage normal function
- Antidepressants - even without depression symptoms
- Treat co-morbid conditions
- CBT
- Graded exercise - helpful in some conditions eg fibromyalgia and CFS
Prognosis of MUS?
Shorter duration of MUS and milder symptoms are linked to better prognosis.
What is the definition of conduct disorder?
Repetitive and persistent pattern of antisocial behaviour with violates basic rights of others that are not in line with age appropriate social norms
Who does conduct disorder affect?
Childhood and adolescence
Less than 18 years old
What is the aetiology of conduct disorder?
- Unknown: parental (violence, failure to set rules)
- Child: (low IQ, CNS impairment)
Prevalence of conduct disorder?
5-10 y/o: 7% boys and 3% girls
11-16 y/o: 8% boys and 5% girls
Risk factors for conduct disorder
- Low socioeconomic status
- Deprived living
- Children in the care system
- ADHD
- Substance misuse
- Male
Signs and symptoms of conduct disorder:
Repetitive and persistent pattern of dissocial, aggressive or defiant conduct:
- Excessive levels of fighting or bullying
- Cruelty to other people or animals
- Severe destructiveness of property
-Fire-setting
More severe than ordinary mischief or adolescent rebelliousness
Investigations of conduct disorder:
- Reports from parents/teachers
- Developmental assessment
Management of conduct disorder:
1st: Parent management training programmes (Triple-P or Webster-Stratton)
- Needs strong parental cooperation and motivation
- If weak outcome due to lack of parental engagement, move to 2nd line
2nd: Child individual or group interventions focussed on problem solving and anger management
- Often, affected children do not have the motivation to engage with these well
Remedial educational teaching (for missed school)
Alternative peer activities
Prognosis of conduct disorder:
- 50% develop antisocial personality disorder Poorer prognosis: - Early onset - Family criminal record - Low IQ - Low socio-economic status - Co-morbidities - Poor parenting
Types of conduct disorder:
- Oppositional-defiant disorder: (characterised by angry, defiant behaviour to authority)
- Unsocialised CD (significant abnormality with relationships with other children)
- Socialised CD (generally well-integrated into a peer group)
- CD confined to family context
What is delusional disorder? ICD-10
Persistent/life-long delusions with few/no hallucinations
- <3 months is temporary
- >3 permanent
Cannot include:
- Clear auditory hallucinations
- Schizophrenia symptoms (delusions of control, blunting of affect)
- Evidence of organic/brain disease
NOTE: the presence of an occasional or transitory auditory hallucinations does NOT rule out this diagnosis
Aetiology of delusional disorder?
- Old age
- Low socioeconomic status
- Immigration
- Substance abuse
- Social Isolation
- Premorbid personality disorder
- Family history
- Group delusions
- Sensory Impairment
- Head injury
Is acute or insidious onset better prognosis of delusional disorder?
Acute onset is better prognosis
Biological reasons for delusional disorder?
- Excess dopamine and ACh activity
- Neurological lesions to the temporal lobe, limbic system, Basal ganglia
- Cortical damage (persecutory delusions)
Pyschosocial reasons for delusional disorder?
- Freud (delusions serve defensive functions)
- Distrust, suspicion, jealousy, low self-esteem
- Social isolation, seeing own defects in others
- Rumination over meaning and motivation
Signs and symptoms of delusional disorder?
- A
- S
- E
- P (hallucinations and delusions): Non-bizzare delusions, rarely hallucinations
- T (forms, content possession): Process un-impaired, content preoccupied, single theme of thoughts
- I: Impaired (delusions affect thought and behaviour)
- C: Intact
What is erotomaniac thought?
AKA De Clerembault syndrome
Excessive sexual desire, often believe a VIP in love with them
What is othello syndrome?
Believe partner is unfaithful
What is fregoli syndrome?
> 2 people are same person changing disguises to deceive
What is Folle a deux?
Shared delusions/hallucinations between people
What is factitious disorder?
Consciously pretending to have a medical illness.
Investigations for delusional disorder?
- Full history and collateral history
- MSE
- Exclude organic causes
Differentials for delusional disorder?
- Substance induced
- Dementia + delirium
- Hypochondriasis
- Mood disorder with delusions
- Body dysmorphia
- Paranoid personality disorder
- Schizophrenia
- OCD
Management of delusional disorder:
- Consider admissions if high risk to self or others
Biological - Antipsychotics (poor evidence)
- SSRI (cover other potential missed differentials)
- BDZ (for anxiety)
Psychological:
- Individual CBT
- Pyschoeducation
Social:
- Social skills training
- Pyschoeducation
- Family therapy
What is the definition of acute stress reaction? ICD-10
A transient disorder that develops in an individual without an other apparent mental disorder in response to exceptional physical and mental stress and that usually subsides within hours or days
- does not tend to persist greater than 1 month
- DSM-V says symptoms must last greater than 3 days
- If they last longer than 1 month, consider PTSD
Onset of symptoms within minutes
How does ASD differ from PTSD?
- PTSD is diagnosed based on symptoms in clusters, not in totality
- PTSD has a dissociative sub-type, however, in ASD, depersonalisation and derealisation are symptoms
- PTSD includes non-fear based symptoms (risky behaviour) but ASD does not
Aetiology of ASD?
- Physical or sexual assault
- Death
- War
Signs and symptoms of ASD?
Key features:
- Initial state of daze (may manifest as stupor)
- Constriction of consciousness field
- Narrowing attention
- Attention to comprehend stimuli; disorientation
Other symptoms:
- Autonomic signs of panic (fight of flight): occurs in minutes and disappear in hours/days
- Tachycardia
- Sweating
- Hyperactive
- Tachypnoea
- Hypertension
- Partial or complete amnesia may be present
- Depersonalisation
- Derealisation
Investigations of ASD?
- Full history and collateral history
- MSE if indicated
- Needs to be a clear history between stressor and reaction
Management of ASD?
- Support and reassurance
- BDZ for short-term distress
Complications and prognosis of ASD?
- May progress to PTSD
- If formal, immediate, psychological ‘debriefing’ is undertaken, future PTSD risk increased
What is the definition of adjustment disorder? ICD-10
States of subjective distress and emotional disturbance, usually interfering with social functioning and performance, arising in the period of adaptation to a significant life change or stressful life event
- Beginning within 1 month of the stressful event
- Not lasting longer than 6 months
Prolonged abnormal response to stress starting within 1 month of stressful event, not lasting over 6 months
Aetiology and risk factors of adjustment disorder?
- Maladaptive psychological response to stressful life events - divorce, unemployment
- Any age of onset
Signs and symptoms of adjustment disorder?
CONSIDER AN ASSOCIATED CONDUCT DISORDER (ESP IN ADOLESCENCE)
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety and worry
- Feeling of inability to cope
- Disability in the performance of daily routine
Symptoms of anxiety or depression without biological symptoms to depression. Should not be sufficient severity/prominent in its own right to justify more specific diagnosis
Persons reaction deemed greater than expected for the situation, but not as severe to diagnose anxiety or depression
What is normal grief reaction?
- recognisable sequence of stages that can last up to 2 years
eg. shock –> anger –> guilt –> searching –> sadness –> acceptance - vivid dreams of dead person being alive, pseudohallucinations
What is abnormal/prolonged grief reaction?
- Delayed onset, greater intensity of symptoms or prolongation of the reaction, preoccupation with negative thoughts, suicidal ideations, hallucinatory experiences
- More likely when relationship with deceased was problematic or there was a sudden death
- Distinguish from depression:
Sadness and symptoms are focused around the person that was lost
In depression, the symptoms are more free-floating and not focussed on anything in particular
Investigations of adjustment disorder?
- Full history and collateral history
- MSE if needed
Management of adjustment disorder/grief reaction?
- Support, reassurance and problem-solving usually all that are recovered
Adjustment disorder:
- Biological –> antidepressants, antianxiolytics/hypnotics
- Psychosocial –> supportive counselling
Grief reaction:
- Biological –> antidepressants
- Psychosocial –> supportive counselling
Prognosis of adjustment disorder?
- Short-term interruption to life
- Symptoms usually improve after resolution of cause
Definition of PTSD? ICD-10
Arises as a delayed onset or protracted response to a stressful event or situation of an exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature, which is likely to cause pervasive distress in almost everyone
- Must last > 1 month
- Often begins within 6 months of trauma (often within the 1st month of the trauma)
Aetiology of PTSD?
6.8% lifetime prevalence
F>M
Risk factors of PTSD?
- FHx
- Female
- Traumatic events
- Neurotic personality type
- Neuroanatomy
- Genetics
- Low social class
Biological reasons for PTSD?
- Genetics: Some predisposition
- Neuroanatomical: Hyperactive amygdala (emotional processing), atrophied hippocampus (memory storage)
Psychosocial reasons for PTSD?
- Traumatic events: 10% extreme trauma sufferers
- Neurotic traits
- Family history of psychiatric problems
Signs and symptoms of PTSD?
(1) Re-experiencing: intrusive memories (flashbacks, nightmares, repetitive images, physical sensations)
(2) Avoidance of triggers: (activities and situations reminiscent of the trauma)
(3) Hyperarousal: (hyper-vigilance, enhanced starttle reflex, insomnia, irritability, cannot relax)
Other:
- mental health problems: depression, anxiety, phobias
- self-harming or destructive behaviour: drug or alcohol misuse
- Physical symptoms: headaches, dizziness, chest pain, stomach aches
- Anhedonia/emotional numbing
Prognosis of PTSD?
- Majority recover
- Some suffer for many years leading to an enduring personality change
Investigations for PTSD?
- Full history
- Trauma screening questionnaire (10 questions, measure re-experiencing and arousal symptoms)