PSYCH AND EXTRA CONDITIONS Flashcards
MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1983
What are the main principles of the MHA?
- Respect for pts wishes + feelings (past + present)
- Minimise restrictions on liberty
- Public safety
- Pts well-being + safety
- Effectiveness of treatment
MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1983
What is the purpose, duration, location + professionals involved, evidence needed for a Section 4?
P – emergency order
D – 72h
L – anywhere in community
P – 1 S12 Dr, 1 AMHP, nearest relative
E – same as S2 but only in an urgent necessity when waiting for a second dr (for a S2) would lead to undesirable delay/outcome
DEPRESSION
What are 2 theories speculating the causes of depression?
- Stress vulnerability = someone with high vulnerability will withstand less stress before becoming mentally unwell
- Monoamine hypothesis = depression caused by deficiency in monoamines (serotonin, noradrenaline) hence why Tx works
BIPOLAR DISORDER
What are the 4 types of bipolar?
- Bipolar 1 = mania + depression in equal proportions, M>F
- Bipolar 2 = more episodes of depression, mild hypomania (easy to miss), F>M
- Cyclothymia = chronic mood fluctuations over ≥2y (episodes of depression + hypomania, can be subclinical)
- Rapid cycling = ≥4 episodes of (hypo)mania or depression in 1 year
BIPOLAR DISORDER
In order to differentiate a manic and hypomanic episode, psychotic symptoms must be present.
What are some of these?
- Grandiose idea may be delusional
- Persecutory delusions sometimes
- Pressure speech may become so great that it’s incomprehensible
- Irritability > violence
- Preoccupation with thoughts > self-neglect
- Catatonia ‘manic stupor’
SCHIZOPHRENIA
What is schizophrenia?
- Splitting or dissociation of thoughts, loss of contact with reality
SCHIZOPHRENIA
What is the neurotransmitter hypothesis in schizophrenia?
- Excess dopamine + overactivity in mesolimbic tract = +ve Sx
- Lack of dopamine + underactivity in mesocortical tracts = -ve Sx
- Overactivity of dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline + underactivity of glutamate + GABA
SCHIZOPHRENIA
What are some risk factors?
Strongest RF = FHx,
others = Black Caribbean, migrants, urban areas, cannabis use + traumatic pregnancy (emergency c-section)
SCHIZOAFFECTIVE
What is schizoaffective disorder?
- Features of both affective disorder + schizophrenia present in equal proportion
GAD
What model can be used to explain the causes of GAD?
Triple vulnerability –
- Generalised biological
- Generalised psychological (diminished sense of control)
- Specific psychological (stressful events)
GAD
What are some organic differentials for GAD?
- Endo = hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma, hypoglycaemia
- CVS = arrhythmias, cardiac failure, anti-hypertensives, MI
- Resp = asthma (excessive salbutamol), COPD, PE
PANIC DISORDER
What is the stepwise management of panic disorder?
- Recognition + diagnosis with treatment in primary care
- CBT or drug therapy (SSRIs 1st line, if C/I or no response after 12w then imipramine or clomipramine)
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy + specialist MH services if severe
OCD
What are some risk factors for OCD?
- Genetics = FHx of OCD or tic disorder
- Abuse, neglect, teasing + bullying
- Parental overprotection
- Paediatric neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococci (PANDAS)
OCD
What is the biological management of OCD?
- 1st line SSRIs = sertraline
- 2nd line = clomipramine (TCA) with specific anti-obsessional action
- ?Psychosurgery (stereotactic cingulotomy if intractable > 2 antidepressants, 3 combination Tx, ECT + behavioural therapy
PTSD
What are the 4 core symptoms of PTSD?
How long do they need to be present for to diagnose?
HEAR (≥1m) –
- Hyperarousal
- Emotional numbing
- Avoidance + rumination
- Re-experiencing (involuntary)
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
What is the diagnostic criteria for anorexia?
FEED ≥3m with absence of binge eating –
- Fear of fatness
- Endocrine disturbance
- Extreme weight loss
- Deliberate weight loss
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
How may endocrine disturbance present?
- Amenorrhoea
- Reduced libido/fertility
- Abnormal insulin secretion
- Delayed/arrested puberty if onset pre-pubertal
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
What screening tool can be used in anorexia?
SCOFF –
- Do you ever make yourself SICK as too full?
- Do you ever feel you’ve lost CONTROL over eating?
- Have you recently lost more than ONE stone in 3m?
- Do you believe you’re FAT when others say you’re thin?
- Does FOOD dominate your life?
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
What are the biological treatments for anorexia nervosa?
- Fluoxetine, chlorpromazine + TCAs may be used for weight gain
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
What is the pathophysiology of refeeding syndrome?
- Reduced carb consumption leads to reduced insulin secretion so the body switches from carb > fat + protein metabolism
- Electrolyte stores depleted as needed to convert glucose>energy
- Reintroducing food causes abrupt shift from fat>carb metabolism + insulin secretion surges, driving electrolytes from serum>cells to help convert glucose>energy causing further serum concentration decrease
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
What is the clinical presentation of refeeding syndrome?
- Fatigue, weakness, confusion, dyspnoea (risk of fluid overload)
- Abdo pain, vomiting, constipation, infections
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
What are the biochemical features of refeeding syndrome?
- Hypophosphataemia main disturbance due to role of converting glucose>energy
- Hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia + thiamine deficiency too
- Abnormal fluid balance
ANOREXIA NERVOSA
What should be monitored before + during refeeding?
- U+Es (Na+, K+), phosphate, magnesium, glucose, ECG, fluid balance
BULIMIA NERVOSA
What is the diagnostic criteria for bulimia?
BPFO ≥2 a week for ≥3m –
- Behaviours to prevent weight gain
- Preoccupation with eating (compulsion to eat but regret after)
- Fear of fatness
- Overeating ≥2/week
BULIMIA NERVOSA
What metabolic abnormalities may be present?
- Hypochloraemic hypokalaemic metabolic alkalosis due to vomiting
- Hypokalaemia > muscle weakness + arrhythmias
PERSONALITY DISORDERS
What are some differentials of schizotypal personality disorder?
- Autism
- Asperger’s
- Schizophrenia (50% may develop it)
PERSONALITY DISORDERS
What are some investigations for personality disorders?
- Assessed (Hx + MSE) more than once
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
- Eysenck Personality Inventory + Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire
PERSONALITY DISORDERS
What is the biological management of personality disorders?
- Only use to treat comorbid conditions or if Sx distressing (e.g. antipsychotics in group A to reduce suspiciousness)
KORSAKOFF’S
What are some causes of Korsakoff’s?
- Heavy alcohol drinkers
- Head injury, post-anaesthesia
- Basal or temporal lobe encephalitis
- CO poisoning
- Other causes of thiamine deficiency (anorexia, starvation, hyperemesis)
LITHIUM TOXICITY
What is the clinical presentation of lithium toxicity?
- Ataxia, dysarthria, confusion (drunk)
- COARSE tremor, blurred vision, hyperreflexia
- N+V, diarrhoea
- Myoclonus, seizures + coma if severe
LITHIUM TOXICITY
What are some complications of lithium toxicity?
- Arrhythmias (VT)
- Acute renal failure
- Syndrome of irreversible lithium-effectuated neurotoxicity (SILENT) after cessation of lithium >2m = truncal ataxia, ataxic gait, scanning speech, incoordination
LITHIUM TOXICITY
What is the management of lithium toxicity?
- ABCDE approach as emergency
- Stop + check lithium levels, serum creatinine, U+Es
- IV fluids (bolus + 1.5–2x maintenance
- ?Whole bowel irrigation with polyethene glycol for severe, acute ingestion
- Haemodialysis
NMS
What is the pathophysiology of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)?
- Dopamine antagonism often due to typical antipsychotic OD or acute withdrawal of Parkinson’s meds
NMS
What is the clinical presentation?
Bodybuilder–
- Pyrexia >38 + diaphoresis
- Muscle rigidity (diffuse “lead-pipe” rigidity)
- Confusion, agitation, altered consciousness
- Tachycardia, high/low BP
- Hyporeflexia
NMS
What are some investigations for NMS?
- FBC (leukocytosis)
- Low serum iron
- U+Es, Ca2+, phosphate
- Urinary myoglobin (raised)
- Serum creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) may be raised
- CK raised
NMS
What is the management of NMS?
- ABCDE approach
- Stop antipsychotic (wait >2w before restarting, consider atypical)
- Give L-dopa if dopamine withdrawal in Parkinson’s
- IV dantrolene or lorazepam to reduce rigidity 1st line (amantadine second)
- Bromocriptine prophylaxis
SEROTONIN SYNDROME
What is the clinical presentation of serotonin syndrome?
Sx onset + recovery fast–
- Neuro = confusion, agitation
- Neuromuscular = myoclonus, tremors (incl. shivering), hyperreflexia, ataxia
- Autonomic = hyperthermia, diarrhoea, tachycardia, mydriasis
SEROTONIN SYNDROME
What are some investigations for serotonin syndrome?
- FBC, U+Es, biochemistry (Ca2+, Mg2+, phosphate), CK, drug toxicology scren
- ECG monitoring for prolonged QRS or QTc interval
SEROTONIN SYNDROME
What is the management of serotonin syndrome?
- ABCDE
- Stop offending agent
- IV access to correct volume + reduce risk of rhabdomyolysis as in NMS
- BDZs like slow IV lorazepam for agitation, seizures + myoclonus
- Serotonin receptor antagonists like PO cyproheptadine or chlorpromazine if severe
SEROTONIN SYNDROME
What is the management of serotonergic drug OD?
- ?Gastric lavage ± activated charcoal
LEARNING DISABILITIES
What is the triad in learning disabilities?
- Low intellectual performance (IQ < 70)
- Onset during birth or early childhood
- Wide range of functional impairment
LEARNING DISABILITIES
What physical disorders may be present in those with learning disabilities?
- Motor disabilities (ataxia, spasticity)
- Epilepsy
- Impaired hearing/vision
- Incontinence
AUTISM SPECTRUM
What are some risk factors for autism?
- M>F
- Obstetric complications
- Perinatal infection (rubella)
- Genetic disorders (Fragile X, Down’s)
AUTISM SPECTRUM
What are the 3 areas of impaired functioning that need to be present in autism?
- Social interaction
- Communication (speech + language)
- Behaviour (imposition of routine with ritualistic or repetitive behaviour)
TIC DISORDERS
What is Tourette’s syndrome?
- Development of tics that are persistent for >1y
- More severe expression of the spectrum of tic disorder
ADHD
What are some risk factors for ADHD?
- Epilepsy, low socioeconomic status, learning difficulties
- Premature or LBW
- Brain damage (in vitro or after severe head injury later)
ADHD
What is the triad of symptoms in ADHD?
- Inattention
- Impulsivity
- Hyperactivity
ADHD
What is the management for severe ADHD?
- CNS stimulants like methylphenidate (increase monoamine pathway activity, not addictive)
- S/E = appetite suppression, insomnia, psychosis, important to monitor growth, baseline ECG (cardiotoxic)
- Atomoxetine (SE = liver dysfunction, suicidality)
- (Lis)dexamfetamine
GENDER DYSPHORIA
What are some risks of the hormone therapy?
- Oestrogen = clots, gallstones, high triglycerides
- Testosterone = polycythaemia, acne, dyslipidaemia
- Both = elevated LFTs, infertility, weight gain
SCHIZOAFFECTIVE
What are the two types of schizoaffective disorder?
Manic type or depressive type
SELF-HARM
What are some risk factors for self-harm?
Female
Social deprivation,
Single or divorced,
LGBTQ+,
mental illness
SCHIZOPHRENIA
What are the features of simple schizophrenia?
Pts never really experienced +ve Sx, mostly -ve
TIC DISORDERS
What might cause them?
- Stress, gestational + perinatal insults, PANDAS
TIC DISORDERS
How does Tourette’s syndrome present?
- Multiple motor tics + at least 1 phonic tic (coprolalia)
OCD
What is a potential cause of OCD?
Neurochemical dysregulation of 5-HT system
PHENOMENOLOGY
Define psychosis
Severe mental disturbance characterised by a loss of contact with external reality (schizophrenia)
PHENOMENOLOGY
Define illusion
The false perception of a real external stimulus
PHENOMENOLOGY
Define hallucination
An internal perception occurring without a corresponding external stimulus. The person experiences it as they would a real perception.
PHENOMENOLOGY
Define delusion
A fixed, false, unshakable belief which is out of keeping with the patient’s educational, cultural + social norms. It’s held with extraordinary conviction + certainty (even despite contradictory evidence)
PHENOMENOLOGY
What is capgras syndrome?
Capgras = idea someone has been replaced by an imposter.