Psychiatry Flashcards
What is the therapeutic range of lithium?
What can cause lithium toxicity?
What level is usually toxic?
0.4-1 mmol/l
Dehydration
Renal failure
Drugs - diuretics (esp thiazides), ACEI/ARB, NSAIDs, metronidazole
> 1.5 mol/l
Symptoms of lithium toxicity?
Rx?
Coarse tremor (fine tremor seen in therapeutic level) Hyperreflexia Acute confusion Polyuria Seizure Coma
If mild-mod dilution with saline can work
If severe, dialysis can be required
Sodium bicarbonate sometimes used to increase alkalinity of urine and promote excretion but no evidence
Emergency detention:
- criteria?
- time?
- who?
- appeal?
- MHO informed?
- likely the person has a mental disorder that is impairing decisions about their treatment
- would be a risk to self or others without it
Up to 72 hours in hospital Does not allow treatment F2 or above Cannot be appealed MHO should be informed if possible but not mandatory
Short term detention:
- criteria?
- time?
- who?
- appeal?
- MHO informed?
Patient has a metal disorder affecting their decision making, necessary to detain them to decide what treatment is required
28 days
Applied for by an approved medical practitioner (usually a psychiatrist)
Can be appealed
Requires consent of MHO
Compulsory treatment order:
- criteria?
- who?
- how is it decided?
- what does it allow?
- appeal?
Patient has a mental health disorder and needs treatment to make this better. Harm to self or others without treatment
Applied for by MHO with supporting letters from 2 Dr’s, one of which must be psychiatrist treating pt
Heard in front of a tribunal, pt has right to legal representation
Imposes conditions of treatment and residence on pt for 6 months
Decision can be appealed at any time by pt or named person
Advanced statement:
Completed by pt with a mental health disorder when they are deemed to have capacity
Legal statement which a patient can outline what treatment they do not want to have in future should they become ill again and lose capacity
Capacity assessment:
- who?
- What must pt be able to do?
F2 or above
Pt must be able to:
- understand treatment with respect to nature, purpose and requirements
- understand benefits and risks
- understand consequences of declining treatment
- retain information long enough to use it, weigh it and come to a balanced decision
Certificate of incapacity?
Confirms patient does not have capacity
Form found under section 47
Enables decision to be made by proxy or doctor
Power of attorney?
Individual appointed by pt with capacity to have authority to make decision for them only when they are deemed to have lost capacity
Financial, property or personal welfare
Guardianship order?
When the court appoints an individual to act and make decisions on behalf of someone with incapacity
Same as power of attorney but appointee made by court
Intervention order?
Order that authorises a person to act and make a one off decision for an adult with incapacity
Childhood ages of capacity?
<13 - deemed not to have capacity
13-15 - may have capacity based on understanding
> 16 - assumed to have capacity
Parents cannot overrule decision of a child who is deemed to have capacity, but doctors can seek to overrule a decision made by parents for a child without capacity
Core symptoms of depression?
Core - 2 weeks of:
- Low mood, usually worse in the morning
- Anergia
- Anhedonia
Biological:
- loss of libido
- reduced attention/concentration
- reduced appetite and weight loss
- loss of confidence and self-esteem
- thought of DSH or suicide
Somatic:
- fatigue
- amenorrhoea
- abdo pain, constipation, indigestion
Psychological (Beck’s triad):
- Hopelessness
- Worthlessness
- Excessive guilt
Medical differential for depression?
Hypothyroidism Cushing's Syphilis SLE Hypercalcaemia Drugs: steroids, retinoids, B blockers
What is dysthymia?
Chronic mild depression for 2 years in which episodes are either not long enough to not severe enough to meet criteria for depression
Depression: Mild? Mod? Severe? Mixed? Atypical?
Mild: 2 core + 2 additional
Mod: 2 core + 4 additional - difficulty with ADL’s
Sev: 2 core + 4 additional. Hopelessness, suicidal ideation, somatic symptoms. Inability to carry out ADL’s
Mixed: depression with GAD
Atypical: biological symptoms are reversed - increased sleep, appetite and weight gain
Management of mild depression?
General advice: sleep hygiene, caffeine, alcohol, exercise
CBT
Structured exercise programme
Peer based support group
Over 8-12 weeks
Consider meds if:
- previous severe depression
- symptoms for 2 years or not responding to other therapy
- chronic health condition and has developed mild depression
Management of mod-sev depression?
SSRI 1st line
Along with ‘high-intensity psychological therapy’ e.g.:
CBT
Interpersonal therapy
Behavioural couples therapy
When should someone be reviewed after starting an SSRI?
How long should they be stopped over?
2 weeks
Or 1 week if suicidal thoughts/behaviour
Stop over 4 weeks
Side effects of SSRI?
GI upset
Risk of GI bleeds - use PPI, esp with aspirin
Hyponatraemia
Increase in anxiety and suicidal ideation when starting
Citalopram - QT interval
Interactons with SSRIs?
NSAIDs - PPI
Warfarin/Heparin - consider mirtazapine
Triptans - avoid
Discontinuation symptoms of SSRI?
Increased mood changes Restlessness Difficulty sleeping Unsteadiness Sweating GI upset Paraethseia
Highest risk with paroxetine
Essentially like a come down
SE TCA’s?
What ones are least sedative?
Drowsy (affects ability to operate heavy machinery) Dry mouth Blurred vision Constipation Urinary retention QTc prolongation
Least sedative: imipramine, nortriptyline
What SSRI is safest after MI?
What one is preferred in adolescents?
Sertraline
Fluoxetine