Psychiatry Flashcards
Describe step 1 of the stepped care model for depression
Step 1: all known and suspected presentation of depression
assess, support, psychoeducational, active monitoring and referral for further assessment and interventions
Describe step 2 of the stepped care model
persistent subthreshold depressive symptoms, mild to moderate depression
low intensity psychological intervention, psychological interventions, medication, referral for further assessment and interventions
Describe step 3 of the stepped care model
Persistent subthreshold depressive symptoms or mild to moderate depression with inadequate response to initial intervention, moderate to severe depression
medication, high intensity psychological intervention, combined treatments, collaborative care and referral for further assessment and interventions
Describe step 4 of the stepped care model
Severe and complex depression, risk to life, severe self-neglect
medication, high-intensity psychological interventions, ECT, crisis service, combined treatments, multi-professional and inpatient care
How is mild to moderate depression managed?
sleep hygiene
follow up in two weeks
low intensity psychosocial intervention
group CBT
What different types of low intensity psychosocial interventions are available?
individual guided self help based on the principles of CBT:
- written materials from a professionals
- 6-8 sessions face-to-face or telephone usually over 9-12 weeks with a follow up
computerised CBT:
- explain CBT model
- supported by a trained professional
- over 9-12 weeks
Structured group physical activity program:
- 3 sessions per week over 10-14 weeks
How does group CBT work?
considered if low intensity is declines
should be based on a structured model e.g. ‘coping with depression’
delivered by 2 trained practitioners
10-12 meetings with 8-10 people
12-16 weeks
When is medication considered in mild to moderate depression?
medication only if Hx of moderate / severe depression, symptoms lasting over 2 years, persistent symptoms despite other interventions
do not recommend St John’s wort due to uncertainty of dosing and drug interactions
How is moderate to severe depression managed?
combination of antidepressant medication and high intensity psychological intervention e.g. CBT / interpersonal therapy
What medication does St John’s wort affect?
warfarin
What are some of the risks of SSRIs?
Bleeding, especially in elderly, ulcers and hyponatraemia
drug interaction
discontinuation syndrome
death from overdose
overdose
stopping treatment due to side effects
blood pressure monitoring needed
worsening hypertension
postural hypertension and arrhythmia
Which SSRIs can interact with other drugs?
fluoxetine
paroxetine
fluvoxamine
Which SSRIs can cause discontinuation syndrome?
paroxetine (shortest half life)
Which SSRI can cause death from overdose?
venlafaxine
Which SSRI can be used to overdose?
TCAs (except lofepramine)
Which SSRI can cause people to stop the treatment due to the side effects?
venlafaxine, duloxetine, TCAs
Which SSRI required regular blood pressure monitoring?
venlafaxine
Which SSRI can cause worsening hypertension?
venlafaxine and duloxetine
Which SSRI ca cause hypotension and arrhytmia?
TCAs
How should a patient be monitored after starting an SSRI?
review after 2 weeks if no particular risk of suicide, then every 2-4 weeks after for 3 months
if < 30 or at increased risk of suicide, follow up in a week
review response to treatment every 3-4 weeks
How are SSRIs continued after an improvement in symptoms?
continue at the same dose for 6-12 months or 2 years if high risk
What are some high intensity psychological interventions?
individual CBT:
- 16-20 sessions over 12-16 weeks
- consider 2 sessions per week for the first 2-3 weeks
- consider follow up sessions over the following 3-6 months
interpersonal therapy:
- 16-20 sessions over 12-16 weeks
- consider 2 sessions per week for the first 2-3 weeks
- helps to identify how interactions with others are affecting the patients mood and ways of improving these interactions
How do monoamine oxidase inhibitors work?
increase serotonin and noradrenaline in the cleft, beware of CHEESE REACTION
How do SARIs (serotonin antagonist reuptake inhibitors) work?
antagonist at the post synaptic cleft e.g. trazodone
Give 4 examples of new anti depressants
agomelatine: melanin agonist and serotonin antagonist
bupoprion: noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake inhibitor
roboxetine: noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor
Vortioxetine: serotonin modulator stimulator
Which anti depressant might be used in elderly people or those who need to gain weight?
NASSAs (mirtazapine)
helps with sleep and appetite
Which antidepressant do you need to be careful with when switching?
from fluoxetine to other antidepressant as it has a long half life
from fluoxetine or paroxetine to a TCA (both inhibit the metabolism of TCA so may need a lower starting dose)
to a new serotoninergic antidepressant or MAOI (risk of serotonin syndrome)
from non-reversible MAOI: a 2 weeks washout period is required
How is complex and severe depression managed?
use crisis resolution and gome treatment teams
develop a crisis plan that identifies potential triggers and strategies to manage triggers
consider inpatient treatment if a significant risk of suicide, self harm or neglect
consider ECT for acute treatment of severe depression when a rapid response is required
What is the catch up phenomena?
if someone recovers from depression due to treatment, treatment is stopped, if they have depression again they will experience it worse
How should antidepressant be stopped?
over a period of 4 weeks otherwise discontinuation syndrome may occur (headache, flu symptoms, electric shocks)
PACES: depression
explain it is a persistently low mood that impacts on day to day functioning
explain that it is very common, about 1/4 people
address any social needs
explain the role of CBT, a talking therapy based on the principle that thoughts, mood and behaviour are all linked
explain the role of medication and that it takes a few weeks to work
arrange to review in 1-2 weeks and warn about initial side effects (lower libido, GI upset)
warn about sleep disturbance so to take in the morning
advise about the crisis resolution teams ane home treatment team
support: mind UK and samaritans
What are the three main mood stabilisers?
lithium - bipolar
carbamazepine
valproate - mania
What is the therapeutic range for lithium and when does it become toxic?
0.6-1
toxic after 1.2
How is lithium monitored?
1 weeks after starting / changing dose and weekly until a steady therapeutic level is achieved
then every 3 months
U&E and TFTs every 6 months (can cause renal impairment and hypothyroidism)
How does lithium toxicity present?
GI disturbance polyuria polydipsia sluggishness giddiness ataxia gross tremor fits renal failure
What are some triggers for lithium toxicity?
salt imbalance e.g. diarrhoea and vomiting or dehydrations
drugs interfering e.g. diuretics
accidental or deliberate overdose
How is lithium toxicity managed?
check level
stop lithium dose (beware of sudden precipitation of mania or depression)
transfer for medical care with rehydration and osmotic diuresis
if severe, may require gastric lavage or dialysis
Describe the use of valporate as a mood stabiliser
anticonvulsant and can be used to treat acute mania
prophylaxis in BPAD
no requirement for monitoring
no accepted therapeutic range
given as sodium valproate because of reduced side effects
Describe the use of carbamazepine as a mood stabiliser
anticonvulsant can cause toxicity at high doses induces liver enzymes need to monitor levels closely check for drug interactions before prescribing can cause hyponatraemia
What are teratongenic effects of lithium?
Ebstein’s anomaly
What are the teratogenic effects of valproate and carbamazepine?
spina bifida
if using valproate, women of childbearing age should be given contraception and prescribed a foalte supplement
closely monitor the foetus if any of these medications are used in pregnancy
What drug is used as second line prophylaxis for BPAD II?
lamotrigine
How is acute mania / hypomania treated?
stop all medications that may induce symptoms (e.g. anti-depressant, drugs of abuse, steroids and dopamine agonists)
monitor food and fluid intake to prevent dehydration
if treatment free - give an antipsychotic and short course of a benzo e.g. olanazpine and lorazepam
if already on treatment:
- optimised medication
- check compliance
- adjust doses
- consider adding another agent
- short term benzo
ECT if unresponsive to medication
What is the long term treatment of BPAD?
mood stabilisers
How is depression in BPAD managed?
talking therapies
anti-depressant may increase the risk of mania
therefore, anti-depressants should be given with anti-psychotics or mood stabilisers:
- fluoxetine and olanzapine / quetiapine
- lamotrigine
monitor closely for any signs of mania nad stop if present
What psychological treatment can be offered in BPAD?
CBT:
- dientify relapse indicators and prevent these .e.g routine, sleep hygiene, exercise, drug compliance
psychodynamic therapy: useful once mood is stabilised
What social interventions can be offered in BPAD?
family support and therapy, aiding return to education or work
What should be stopped during an acute manic episode?
anti depressant if they are on one
Describe the primary care referral in BPAD
hypomania - routine referral to CMHT
mania - urgent referral to CMHT
PACES: BPAD
consider admission and section if at risk
Explain that this is a condition where you have a tendency to experience the extremes of emotion for variable lengths of time
explain the importance of controlling it (both extremes can lead to you making decisions that you otherwise would not make)
explain that there are medications available that helps to balance the chemical in the brain
advise about risis resolution team and samaritans
What are some immediate intervention if a patient is at high risk of attempting suicide again or lacks capacity?
need to be admitted to a psychiatric ward
crisis plan for future if they feel they want to do again: who will they call and how will they get help?
What are some long term interventions offered to people who are low to medium risk of attempting suicide again?
discahrge home
follow up within 1 weeks e.g. community mental health team, outpatient clinic, GP or counsellor
What psychological therapies can be offered to people who have tried to commit suicide?
CBT e.g. dialectical based therapy
mentalisation based treatment
transference focused therapy
What percentage of suicides occur within 3 months of discharge from psychiatric wards?
30%
What is the ideal time within which a patient with psychosis should be treated?
need Duration of Untreated Psychosis < 3 months
Who can be treated with the early intervention service?
children > 14, CAMHS can deal with psychosis in children up to 17 years
Which medications can be used to treat schizophrenia?
typical or atypical antipsychotics
Dopamine antagonists
Which chemical is involved in the reward pathway?
dopamine
What are some examples of typical antipsychotics?
chlorpromazine, haloperidol and flupentixol
What side effects do typical antipsychotics cause?
extra pyramidal side effects
dystonia
akathisia
parkinsonism
tardive dyskinesia
What are some examples of atypical antipsychotics?
olanzapine risperidone (available as a depot) quetiapine apriprazole clozapine amisulpride
these block dopamine and serotonin
What are some side effects of atypical antipsychotics?
hypermetabolic e.g. weight gain
increased risk of diabetes (olanzapine)
EPSE
hyperprolactinaemia (increased risk of osteoporosis, amenorrhoea / subfertility, sexual dysfunction, gynaecomastia)
sedation dyslipidaemia anti cholinergic effects e.g. dry mouth and blurred vision arrhythmias seizures neuoleptic malignant syndrome
What psychological treatments are available for schizophrenia?
CBT at least 16 sessions
family therapy at least 10 sessions - respite for families and lower relapse rate
concordance therapy: patient is encouraged to think of pros and cons of the management
What are the aspects of social management in schizophrenia?
may need admission for observation education skills housing employment accessing social activities developing personal skills
psychoeduation is vital in reducing relapse
Which baseline measurements are required before starting an anti-psychotic?
weight
waist circumference
pulse and bp
fasting BM, HbA1c, lipid profile and prolactin
assess any movement disorders
ECG
children should have height measured every 6 months
What needs to be monitored after starting an anti-psychotic?
response to treatment side effects emergence of movement disorders waist circumference adherence overall physical health
weight: weekly for 6 weeks, at 12 weeks and 1 year, then annually
pulse and BP at 12 weeks, 1 year, then annually
What other management is offered in schizophrenia?
physical health e.g. lifestyle and smoking cessation (can given buproprion and varenicline, need to be monitored as these increase risk of adverse neuropsychiatric conditions)
carer support, inform of their right to carer’s assment
What medication is given in treatment resistant schizophrenia?
clozapine
-small but singificant risk of agranulocytosis so needs weekly blood tests to detect neutropaenia
if still no response, augment with another anti psychotic
Define treatment resistant schizophrenia
failure to respond to two or more anti psychotics, one of which is atypical, given at the therapeutic dose for at least 6 weeks
summarise the treatment of schizophrenia
1st line: atypical antipsychotic e.g. quetiapine
CBT
monitr, especially cardiovascular health due to high rates of CVD (due to medication and smoking)
PACES: schizophrenia
Explain it is a condition where your brain processes information differently, leading to you seeing and hearing things that are not there
Some of the thoughts or voices can be quite distressing so it is important you have a good social network and call for help if you feel like this is happening
I will refer you to a specialist who can help in a lot of different ways e.g. housing and employment
will start on cognitive behaviour therapy and medication
support: samaritans
Which rating scales are used in alcohol misuse and what are they for?
AUDIT - screens for hazardous and haermful alcohol consumption e.g. addiction (like CAGE) > 15 requires more assessment
CIWA-Ar - severity of alcohol withdrawal
APQ - determines the extent of problems caused by alcohol
SADQ - severity of alcohol dependence
What medical investigations are done in alcohol abuse?
FBC, LFT, B12, folate, UE, clotting and glucose
blood alcohol level
urine drug screen
What can be offered to family memebrs of people with alcohol dependence?
carer’s assessment if necessary
consider offering guided self help for families and provide resources about support groups
family meetings can be considered, at least 5 meetings,over 5 weeks (one a week)
When would people with alcohol dependence and comorbid mental health conditions be referred to a specialist?
if issues do not improve within 3-4 weeks of abstinence
If a homeless person with alcohol dependece presents, what is the maximum amount of time they may remain at an inpatient rehabilitation programme?
3 months