Psychiatry Flashcards
What is Bipolar Affective Disorder?
A chronic mental health disorder characterised by periods of mania/hypomania alongside episodes of depression
What is the epidemiology of bipolar affective disorder?
Typically develops in the late teen years
lifetime prevalence: 2%
What are the two types of bipolar affective disorder?
Type I disorder: mania and depression (most common)
Type II disorder: hypomania and depression
What is the difference between mania and hypomania?
Both terms mean abnormally elevated mood or irritability
Mania: severe functional impairment or psychotic symptoms (e.g.delusions of grandeur or auditory hallucinations) which suggest mania for >7 days
Hypomania: decreased or increased function for >4 days
What are the referral guidelines for bipolar affective disorder?
If symptoms suggest hypomania: NICE recommend routine referral to the community mental health team
If there are features of mania or severe depression then an urgent referral to the CMHT should be made
What is the management for bipolar affective disorder?
Psychological interventions
Medication:
lithium remains the mood stabilizer of choice
Management of mania/hypomania or depression
What is the management of mania/ hypermania?
Consider stopping antidepressant if the patient takes one
Start antipsychotic therapy e.g. olanzapine or haloperidol
What is the management of depression in BPAD?
Talking therapies
Consider SSRIs (1st = fluoxetine) but not encouraged due to risk of manic episode
What co-morbidities are patients with BPAD at risk of getting?
A 2-3 times increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and COPD
What is the therapeutic range for lithium?
0.4-1.0 mmol/L
What are some of the adverse effects of Lithium?
Nausea/vomiting, diarrhoea
Fine tremor
Nephrotoxicity: polyuria, secondary to nephrogenic DI
Thyroid enlargement, may lead to hypothyroidism
ECG: T wave flattening/inversion
Weight gain
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Hyperparathyroidism and resultant hypercalcaemia
What are some considerations regarding Lithium monitoring?
When checking lithium levels, the sample should be taken 12 hours post-dose
After starting lithium levels should be performed weekly and after each dose change until concentrations are stable
Once established, lithium blood level should ‘normally’ be checked every 3 months
Measure thyroid and renal function every 6 months
Patient should have an alert card and a record book
At what concentration does Lithium toxicity occur?
Concentrations > 1.5 mmol/L
What can precipitate Lithium toxicity?
Dehydration
Renal failure
Drugs: diuretics (especially thiazides), ACE inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers, NSAIDs and metronidazole
What are some of the features of Lithium toxicity?
Coarse tremor (a fine tremor is seen in therapeutic levels)
Hyperreflexia
Acute confusion
Polyuria
Seizure
Coma
What is the management of Lithium toxicity?
Mild-moderate toxicity: may respond to volume resuscitation with normal saline
Severe toxicity: haemodialysis may be needed
What are personality disorders?
A series of maladaptive personality traits that interfere with normal function in life
What are the three clusters of personality disorders?
Cluster A: Odd or eccentric
Custer B: Dramatic, emotional or erratic
Cluster C: Anxious and fearful
What are the three personality disorders in Cluster A (odd or eccentric)?
- Paranoid
- Schizoid
- Schizotypal
What is the difference between schizoid and schizotypal personality disorder?
Schizoid:
- Preference for solitary activities
- Lack of interest in sexual interactions
- Few interests and friends or confidants other than family
- Emotional coldness
Schizotypal:
- Odd beliefs and magical thinking
- Paranoid ideation and suspicion
- Odd speech
What are the four personality disorders in Cluster B?
- Antisocial
- EUPD
- Histrionic
- Narcissistic
What are the three personality disorders in Cluster C?
- Obsessive- compulsive
- Avoidant
- Dependent
What is the main management of personality disorders?
Psychological therapy = dialectical behaviour therapy
Treatment of any coexisting psychiatric conditions