Psychiatry Flashcards
why are antipsychotics used cautiously in the elderly
the increase the risk of stroke and VTE
describe the features of a borderline personality disorder
efforts to avoid a real or imagined abandonment
unstable interpersonal relationships which alternate between idealization and devaluation
unstable self image
impulsivity in potentially self damaging area
recurrent suicidal behaviour
describe the features of histrionic personality disorder
inappropriate sexual seductiveness, need to be centre of attention, rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions
physical appearance used for attention seeking purposes
impressionistic speech lacking in detail
describe schizoid personality disorder
prefer to be alone, don't like relationships low libido indifference to praise or criticism lack of desire for compansionship emotional coldness few interests
describe schizotypal personality disorder
ideas of reference (some insight) odd beliefs and magical thinking unusual perceptual disturbances paranoid ideation and suspiciousness odd, eccentric behaviour lack of close friends other than family members odd speech without being incoherent
what is Charles bonnet syndrome
persistent recurrent complex hallucinations, occurring in clear consciousness, insight usually preserved
generally in background of visual impairment
describe the features of discontinuation syndrome
increasing mood change, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, unsteadiness, sweating, GI symptoms pain, cramping, diarrhoea, vomiting, paraesthesia
which feature is often described earliest in schizophrenia
insomnia
how do benzodiazepines work
they enhance the effect of GABA the main inhibitory neurotransmitter
when is ECT indicated
resistent depression, catatonic schizophrenia and severe mania
what are the risks of SSRI use in pregnancy
if used in the first trimester there is a small increased risk in congenital defects
if used in third trimester can result in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn
paroxetine has the highest risk of congenital malformations particularly in the first trimester
what is malingerign
fraudulent simulation or exaggeration of symptoms with the intention of financial or other gain
what is munchausen syndrome/ factitious disorder
intentional production of physical or psychological symptoms
what is dissociative disorder
separating off certain memories from normal consciousness. In contrast to conversion disorder involves psychiatric symptoms eg. amnesia, fugue, stupor
dissociative identity disorder (DID) is the new term for multiple personality disorder and is the most severe form of dissociative disorder
what is conversion disorder
loss of motor or sensory function, the patient doesn’t consciously feign the symptoms (factitious disorder) or seek material gain (malingering)
