Psychiatry Flashcards
Define autism?
A triad of communication impairment + impairment of social relationships + ritualistic behaviour
A triad of communication impairment + impairment of social relationships + ritualistic behaviour would indicate what?
Autism
What are the cluster A personality disorders?
Paranoid
Schizoid
Schizotypal
What are the cluster B personality disorders?
Antisocial
Borderline (Emotionally unstable)
Histrionic
Narcissistic
What are the cluster C personality disorders?
Obsessive-compulsive
Avoidant
Dependent
What is ADHD?
A condition incorporating features relating to inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity that are persistent.
What would some features of inattention be?
Does not follow instructions
Reluctant to engage in mentally-intense tasks
Easily distracted
Finds it difficult to sustain tasks
Finds it difficult to organise tasks or activities
Often forgetful in daily activities
Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
Often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly
What would some features of hyperactivity be?
Unable to play quietly
Talks excessively
Does not wait their turn easily
Will spontaneously leave their seat when expected to sit
If often ‘on the go’
Often interruptive or intrusive to others
Will answer prematurely, before a question has been finished
Will run and climb in situations where it is not appropriate
What is the first-line management for ADHD?
10 week period of ‘watch and wait’ to observe whether symptoms change or resolve
What are the conditions of providing pharmacological therapy for patients with ADHD?
Used as a last resort, and is only available to those that are aged 5 and over.
What is the first line pharmacological treatment for ADHD in children?
Methylphenidate on a 6 week trial basis
What type of drug is methylphenidate?
It is a CNS stimulant which primarily acts as a dopamine/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
What are some side effects of methylphenidate?
Abdominal pain, nausea and dyspepsia.
In children, weight and height should be monitored every 6 months
What are the first line pharmacological agents for ADHD in adults?
Methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine are first-line options.
Switch between drugs if the other fails
What is the second line pharmacological agent for ADHD in children?
Lisdexamfetamine
What is a third line pharmacological agent for ADHD in children?
Dexamfetamine - only in those who have benefited from lisdexamfetamine, but who can’t tolerate its side effects.
What is a MAJOR side effect of methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine?
Cardiotoxicity - Perform a baseline ECG before starting treatment, and refer to a cardiologist if there is any significant past medical history or family history, or any doubt or ambiguity.
Is ADHD more common in boys or girls?
Boys by a ratio of 4:1
How many features must a 16 year old have if they are to be diagnosed with ADHD?
Up to 16 years old - 6 features must be present.
How many features must a patient have if they are older than 17 years old, to be diagnosed with ADHD?
Over 17 years old - 5 features must be present.
What is OCD?
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by the presence of either obsessions or compulsions, but commonly both.
Define obsession?
An obsession is defined as an unwanted intrusive thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters the person’s mind.
Define compulsion?
Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform.
A compulsion can either be overt and observable by others, such as checking that a door is locked, or a covert mental act that cannot be observed, such as repeating a certain phrase in one’s mind.
What would be defined as severe OCD?
Someone who spends > 3 hours a day on their obsessions/compulsions, has severe interference/distress and has very little control/resistance
What would the management be for an individual with mild functional impairment for OCD?
Low-intensity psychological treatments: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) including exposure and response prevention (ERP)
If this is insufficient or can’t engage in psychological therapy, then offer a choice of either a course of an SSRI or more intensive CBT (including ERP)
What would the management be for an individual with moderate functional impairment for OCD?
Offer a choice of either a course of an SSRI or more intensive CBT (including ERP)
Consider clomipramine (as an alternative first-line drug treatment to an SSRI)
In what case would you specifically given fluoxetine for a moderate functional impairement of OCD?
Fluoxetine is specifically given for body dysmorphic disorder
In what case would you give clomipramide for a moderate functional impairment of OCD?
Can be considered as an alternative first-line drug treatment to SSRIs if the person has had a previous good response to it.
What would the management be for an individual with severe functional impairment for OCD?
Refer to secondary care mental health team for assessment.
Whilst awaiting assessment - offer combined treatment with an SSRI and CBT (including ERP) or consider Clomipramine
What is exposure and response prevention (ERP)?
ERP is a psychological method which involves exposing a patient to an anxiety provoking situation (e.g. for someone with OCD, having dirty hands) and then stopping them engaging in their usual safety behaviour (e.g. washing their hands). This helps them confront their anxiety and the habituation leads to the eventual extinction of the response
What timeframe would you review a patient who is starting a sertraline and is under the age of 30?
1 week
Define bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental health disorder characterised by periods of mania/hypomania alongside episodes of depression.
What are the two types of bipolar disorder?
Type 1 disorder - mania and depression (most common)
Type 2 disorder - hypomania and depression
What is the most common type of bipolar disorder?
Type 1 disorder - mania and depression (most common)
What is mania?
With mania, there is severe functional impairment or psychotic symptoms for 7 days or more
What is hypomania?
Hypomania describes decreased or increased function for 4 days or more
What is the difference between mania and hypomania?
The key differentiation is psychotic symptoms (e.g.delusions of grandeur or auditory hallucinations) which suggest mania
What is the management for mood stabilisation in bipolar disorder?
Lithium remains the mood stabiliser of choice.
An alternative is sodium valproate (should not be used in women under 45 years old or men under 65 years old due to being tetrogenic and risk of infertility)
What psychotherapeutic drug should you consider stopping in bipolar disorder?
Consider stopping antidepressant if the patient takes one; antipsychotic therapy e.g. olanzapine or haloperidol
What is the antidepressant of choice in bipolar disorder?
Fluoxetine
What is there an increased risk of in individuals with bipolar disorder?
There is a 2-3 times increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and COPD
In what case would a referral to the community mental health team be appropriate in bipolar disorder?
If symptoms suggest hypomania then routine referral.
If symptoms suggest mania or severe depression then urgent referral should be made.
What would the appropriate referral be for an individual with bipolar and in a hypomanic episode?
Routine referral to the community mental health team (CMHT)
What would the appropriate referral be for an individual with bipolar and in a manic or severely depressed episode?
Urgent referral to the community mental health team (CMHT)
Define anxiety?
Excessive worry about a number of different events associated with heightened tension.
List some medications that may trigger anxiety?
Salbutamol
Theophylline
Corticosteroids
Antidepression
Caffeine
What is step 1 of GAD management?
Education about GAD + active monitoring
What is step 2 of GAD management?
Low-intensity psychological interventions (individual non-facilitated self-help or individual guided self-help or psychoeducational groups)
What is step 3 of GAD management?
High-intensity psychological interventions (cognitive behavioural therapy or applied relaxation) or drug treatment.
What is step 4 of GAD management?
Highly specialist input e.g. Multi agency teams
What is the first line pharmacological management of GAD?
Sertraline is first-line
What would second-line pharmacological management for GAD?
If sertraline is ineffective, an alternative SSRI or SNRI can be used.
Duloxetine or Venlafaxine (SNRI examples)
What would the pharmacological management be for an individual with GAD who cannot tolerate SSRIs or SNRIs?
f the person cannot tolerate SSRIs or SNRIs, consider offering pregabalin
What must you warn patients of who are under the age of 30, before commencing SSRIs and SNRIs?
For patients under the age of 30 years NICE recommend you warn patients of the increased risk of suicidal thinking and self-harm.
Weekly follow-up is recommended for the first month
What is the first-line treatment of panic disorder in primary care?
Cognitive behavioural therapy or drug treatment
If there is no response to SSRIs for panic disorder in primary care, what can be offered?
If contraindicated or no response after 12 weeks then imipramine or clomipramine should be offered
What are known to trigger mania or hypomania as a side effect in bipolar disorder?
Antidepressants - sometimes termed a manic ‘switch’ ie from depression to mania.
What antipsychotics medication could be used for a patient that has undergone a ‘manic switch’?
Haloperidol
Olanzapine
Quetiapine
Risperidone
What is the third line treatment for a manic switch?
Lithium
What is the fourth line treatment for a manic switch?
Sodium valproate
How would you describe circumstantiality?
A circle comes back around eventually
How would you describe tangentiality?
A tangent goes off forever in another direction
How would you describe derailment?
A derailed train goes off the track after a little while and needs to be nudged back on
How would you describe pressured speech?
Pressured speech is as if there is a load of words behind a damn, then the damn breaks and it all comes flooding out
How would you describe incoherence?
Replying with nonsensical statements such as ‘feelings like this different colour and rat poison’.
What is step 1 of panic disorder management?
Recognition and diagnosis
What is step 2 of panic disorder management?
Treatment in primary care
What is step 3 of panic disorder management?
Review and consideration of alternative treatments
What is step 4 of panic disorder management?
Review and referral to specialist mental health services
What are the risk factors of suicide?
Male sex (HR - 2.0)
History of deliberate self harm (HR - 1.7)
Alcohol or drug misuse (HR - 1.6)
History of mental illness
History of chronic disease
Advancing age
If an individual has attempted suicide, what are the factors associated with an increased risk of completed suicide at a future date?
Efforts to avoid discovery
Planning
Leaving a written note
Final acts such as sorting out finances
Voilent method
What are some protective factors which reduce the risk of a patient committing suicide?
Family support
Having children at home
Religious beliefs
What would the classic features of PTSD be?
Re-experiencing
Avoidance
Hyper-arousal
Emotional numbing
What secondary features may be present in a patient with PTSD?
Depression
Drug or alcohol misuse
Anger
Unexplained physical symptoms
How long do symptoms need to be present, for a diagnosis of PTSD?
At least one month
What would the management be for a patient with mild PTSD?
Watchful waiting may be used for mild symptoms lasting less than 4 weeks
What would the first-line management be for a patient with moderate / severe PTSD?
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy may be used in more severe cases
What are the rules surrounding pharmacological therapy in PTSD?
Drug treatments for PTSD should not be used as a routine first-line treatment for adults.
What are the pharmacological agents of choice in PTSD?
SNRI - Venlafaxine
SSRI - Sertraline
What pharmacological agent ‘may’ be used in severe PTSD?
In severe cases, NICE recommends that risperidone may be used
How are the cluster A personality disorders often described?
Odd or Eccentric
How are the cluster B personality disorders often described?
Dramatic, Emotional, or Erratic
Define acute stress disorder?
Acute stress disorder is defined as an acute stress reaction that occurs in the first 4 weeks after a person has been exposed to a traumatic event (threatened death, serious injury e.g. road traffic accident, sexual assault etc).
What is the difference between acute stress disorder and PTSD?
Acute stress disorder is defined as an acute stress reaction that occurs in the first 4 weeks after a person has been exposed to a traumatic event. This is in contrast to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which is diagnosed after 4 weeks.
What is the first line management of acute stress disorder?
Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is usually used first-line
What is the first line pharmacological management in acute stress disorder and what safety netting should be put in place?
Benzodiazepines.
Should only be used with caution due to addictive potential and concerns that they may be detrimental to adaptation
What ‘may’ some features of acute stress disorder include?
Intrusive thoughts e.g. flashbacks, nightmares
Dissociation e.g. ‘being in a daze’, time slowing
Negative mood
Avoidance
Arousal e.g. hypervigilance, sleep disturbance
List some factors that may indicate depression over dementia?
Short history and rapid onset
Biological symptoms e.g. weight loss and sleep disturbance
Patient is worried about their poor memory
They are reluctant to take tests / disappointed with the results
Global memory loss in depression / dementia characteristically causes recent memory loss
What would be less severe depression according to the PHQ-9 score?
A PHQ-9 score of < 16
What would be more severe depression according to the PHQ-9 score?
A PHQ-9 score of ≥ 16
A PHQ-9 score of < 16 would indicate what?
Less severe depression
A PHQ-9 score of ≥ 16 would indicate what?
More severe depression
List the treatment options for less severe depression in order of preference by NICE?
- Guided self-help
- Group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Group behavioural activation (BA)
- Individual CBT
- Individual BA
- Group exercise
- Group mindfulness and meditation
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- Counselling
- Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP)
List the treatment options for more severe depression in order of preference by NICE?
- A combination of individual cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and an antidepressant
- Individual CBT
- Individual behavioural activation (BA)
- Antidepressant medication
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), or
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), or
- Another antidepressant if indicated based on previous clinical and treatment history
- Individual problem-solving
- Counselling
- Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy (STPP)
- Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT)
- Guided self-help
- Group exercise
Define depression?
Five (or more) of the DSM-5 symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure.
In which antidepressants is a direct switch possible?
Citalopram
Escitalopram
Sertraline
Paroxetine
(only when to another SSRI)
What are the rules when switching from fluoxetine to another SSRI?
Withdraw then leave a gap of 4-7 days (as it has a long half-life) before starting a low dose of the alternative SSRI
In which antidepressants is a direct switch to Venlafaxine possible?
Citalopram
Escitalopram
Sertraline
Paroxetine
What are the rules when switching from an SSRI to a tricyclic antidepressant?
Cross-tapering is recommended (the current drug dose is reduced slowly, whilst the dose of the new drug is increased slowly)
List some SSRIs?
- Citalopram (Cipramil)
- Dapoxetine (Priligy)
- Escitalopram (Cipralex)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac or Oxactin)
- Fluvoxamine (Faverin)
- Paroxetine (Seroxat)
- Sertraline (Lustral)
- Vortioxetine (Brintellix)
List some SNRIs?
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq, Khedezla)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta, Irenka)
- Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)
- Milnacipran (Savella)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
What are some risk factors for developing GAD?
Aged 35- 54
Being divorced or separated
Living alone
Being a lone parent
What are some protective factors against GAD?
Aged 16 - 24
Being married or cohabiting
Define pseudodementia?
Severe depression can mimic dementia but gives a pattern of global memory loss rather than short-term memory loss - this is called pseudodementia
What is normal pressure hydrocephalus? What is it thought to be caused by?
Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a reversible cause of dementia seen in elderly patients. It is thought to be secondary to reduced CSF absorption at the arachnoid villi.
What is the classic triad of features seen in normal pressure hydrocephalus?
Urinary incontinence
Dementia and bradyphrenia
Gait abnormality (may be similar to Parkinson’s disease)
What would the triad of urinary incontinence, dementia and bradyphrenia, gait abnormality (may be similar to Parkinson’s disease) suggest?
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
What would normal pressure hydrocephalus present with on imaging?
Hydrocephalus with ventriculomegaly in the absence of, or out of proportion to, sulcal enlargement
Ventriculomegaly without sulcal enlargement on imaging of the brain would indicate what?
Normal pressure hydrocephalus
What is the management of normal pressure hydrocephalus?
Ventriculoperitoneal shunting
What are the complications of ventriculoperitoneal shunting?
Around 10% of patients who have shunts experience significant complications such as seizures, infection and intracerebral haemorrhages
What are some non-pharmacological managements of Alzheimer’s disease?
A range of activities to promote wellbeing that are tailored to the person’s preference
Group cognitive stimulation therapy for patients with mild and moderate dementia
Group reminiscence therapy and cognitive rehabilitation
What types of drugs are donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine?
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
What pharmacological management can be given for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease?
Donepezil, Galantamine and Rivastigmine