Psych Peer Teaching Flashcards
Give 2 examples of mood disorders
Depression
Bipolar disorders
What are the two categories that Mental Illness can be divided into?
Organic disorders: Psychiatric disorders secondary to a known physical cause
Functional disorders: no physical abnormality found
Give an example of a organic disorder as applied to Mental Illness.
- Carcinoma
- Endocrine (Thyroid)
- Delirium
What substances might cause an organic mental illness?
Psychoactive substances:
- Alcohol
- Illicit drugs
What is the definition of ‘psychoses’?
Give 2 examples of functional mental health disorders which can be labelled as ‘psychoses’.
Psychoses: the loss of contact with reality
- Schizophrenia
- Mood disorders
‘Neuroses’ are classed as functional mental health disorders. Give 2 examples of conditions which can be considered as ‘neuroses’.
- OCD
- Phobia
Define ‘affect’ as applied to mental health.
- Pattern of observable behaviours
- Variable over time
- In response to changing emotional state
Define ‘mood’ as applied to mental health.
Pervasive sustained emotions.
Colours perception of the world.
List 2 screening questions for depression.
- During the last month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
- During the last month, have you often been bothered by having little interest or pleasure in doing things?
Which diagnostic manual is used to diagnose depression?
DSM-IV Criteria for depression (9 symptoms).
What does the DEAD SWAMP acronym stand for? (Helps you to remember the symptoms of depression).
Depressed mood Energy loss or fatigue Anhedonia Death thoughts Sleep disturbances (+/-) Worthlessness / guild Appetite / weight changes Mentation decrease (decreased concentration) Psychomotor agitation / retardation
For what duration must symptoms have been present to make a diagnosis of depression?
2 weeks
What are the 3 core symptoms of depression?
Depressed mood
Energy loss / fatigue
Anhedonia
A patient presents with fewer than 5 symptoms meeting the depression criteria. How might you describe this clinically?
Sub threshold depressive symptoms
A patient presents with 5 symptoms of depression plus mild functional impairment. How might you describe this clinically?
Mild depression
How might a patient with severe depression present?
- Most symptoms
- Marked impact on ADL’s +/- psychotic symptoms
What are the 2 main methods for assessing a patient with suspected depression?
- HAD scale
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (out of 21) - PHQ-9
Patient Health Questionnaire
What is the physiological mechanism of depression?
Decreased 5-HT -> Decreased Noradrenaline -> Decreased Dopamine
What is the 1st line treatment for depression?
CBT
What is the 1st line drug treatment for depression?
What if the pt has a past Hx of CVD?
SSRI: Fluoxetine
If Hx of CVD: Paroxetine, Citalopram, Sertraline are better
Give some side effects of SSRIs.
- GI disturbance
- Increased risk of suicide if under 30yrs -> regular reviews
When might an SSRI be contraindicated in the treatment of depression?
- Increased risk of convulsions in epilepsy
- If used with MAO-I, there is a risk of Serotonin Syndrome
Give 3 examples of tricyclic antidepressants
Amitriptyline
Imipramine
Lofepramine (this is most safe)
Give a side effect of Tricyclic antidepressants. When should TCAs be avoided?
SE: Arrhythmias
Avoid in heart failure
Give an example of a MAO-I. When might an MAO-I be used?
Phenelzine
Used in resistant depression
What are important points to remember when prescribing Phenelzine for depression?
What class of drug is Phenelzine?
- Increased risk of hypertensive crisis
- Avoid tyramine-containing foods (cheese, red wine, broad beans)
Drug class: MAO-I
What class of drug is Mirtazipine? Side effects?
NaSSA (Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants)
SE: Sedative, increased weight
Give an example of a SNRI (Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors).
Duloxetine
What should you be aware of when prescribing an SNRI (eg. Duloxetine)?
- Interact with MAO-I
SE: Increase BP
Give 4 causes of Serotonin Syndrome.
MAO-I
SSRIs
Ecstasy
Amphetamines
What is the acronym to remember the diagnosis for Serotonin Syndrome?
‘CAN’
Cognitive changes: agitation, confusion, euphoria, hallucinations
Autonomic changes: Tachycardia, HTN, Fever, Diaphoresis, Arrythmias, Tachypnoea
Neuromuscular changes: Tremor, Hyperreflexia, Clonus, Ataxia, Incoordination, Seizures
What are the 3 fundamental components of Serotonin Syndrome?
- Cognitive state changes
- Autonomic hyperactivity
- Neuromuscular abnormality
What is the treatment for Serotonin Syndrome?
- Supportive
- Cyproheptadine (5-HT antagonist)
What is the ICD-10 definition of ‘Bipolar’?
Hx of 2 mood disorders
At least 1 = hypomania (<4 days) / mania (>7 days)
What is the DSM-IV-TR definition of ‘Bipolar’?
1 mania episode +/- depressive episode
How might a bipolar patient appear / behave (eg. during a mental state exam)?
A: flamboyantly dressed, self neglect (unkempt / dehydrated)
B: Overactivity, difficult to interview pt. Pt may eat + drink greedily
How might a bipolar patient’s speech differ from a pt without bipolar?
- Increased pressure of speech
- Increased rate and amount
- Difficult to interrupt.
What might a pt with bipolar’s mood be like?
- Usually elated
- Angry
Describe a bipolar pt’s thoughts (form + content).
Content: Pt has inflated view on own importance, grandiose
Form: chance relationships, verbal associations (alliterations eg. crazy cool cat can catch)
Describe a bipolar pt’s perceptions.
- May have delusions of persecution or grandiose - mood congruent
- Auditory hallucinations
Describe a bipolar pt’s cognition and insight.
Cognition is impaired.
Insight is often absent in mania.
Give a differential for bipolar.
- Substance abuse (amphetamines, cocaine)
- Schizophrenia
How is bipolar managed / treated?
- Co-ordinated care
- Rapid access to support in crisis
- ?Hospitalisation (under the Mental Health Act)
- Psychological care - education, promoting social functioning
- Medication
- Annual reviews
Explain the medical management of bipolar
Mood stabilisers
- Lithium
- Anticonvulsants (Sodium Valproate, Carbamazepine, Lamotrigine)
- Anti-psychotics (conventional, atypical) -> used in acute mania