Psychiatry Flashcards
Physical signs of anxiety
- Tachycardia
- Palpitations
- Hypertension
- SOB/tachypnoea
- chest pain
- choking sensation
- tremors/shaking
- muscle tension
- dry mouth
- sweating
- cold skin
- nausea/vomiting
- diarrhoea
- ‘butterflies in the stomach’
- dizziness, lightheadedness
- mydriasis
Risk factors and triggers for Hyperventilation Syndrome
- Female
- Age 15-55
- Emotional distress
- Sodium lactate
- Caffeine
Clinical features of hyperventilation syndrome
- agitation
- confusion
- dizziness
- weakness
- depersonalisation
- visual hallucinations
- syncope
- parasthesia: usually bilateral upper limbs
- peri-oral numbness
- atypical chest pain
- tachypnoea
- hyperpnoea
- dyspnoea
- wheeze
- bloating
- belching
- flatus
- epigastic pressure
- dry mouth
- acute hypocalcaemia
- acute hypokalemia
- acute hypophosphatemia
Investigations to rule out an organic cause of hyperventilation syndrome
- FBC
- U&Es
- TFTs
- glucose
- calcium
- ABG: normal pH, normal CO2, low bicarb
- Toxicology
- ELISA
- D-dimer
- ECG
- CXR
- V/Q scan
Acute management of hyperventilation syndrome
- Reassurance
- alleviation of anxiety e.g. benzos
- establishment of normal breathing pattern
Long-term management of hyperventilation syndrome
- Education
- Formal breathing retraining
- B-blockers and benzos
- Treatment of any underlying medical disorder
Prevalence of GAD
3%
Risk factors for GAD
- family history
- female
- age 35-54
- divorced/separated
- living alone
- single parents
- unemployment
- childhood phobias
Description of GAD
Long-standing, free-floating excessive anxiety - excessive worries about minor matters on most days for 6 months, not limited to specific situations
Symptoms of GAD
- Edginess/restlessness
- difficulty concentrating
- irritability
- GI upset
- muscle aches/tension
- difficulty sleeping and chronic fatigue/easy fatiguability
ICD-10 criteria for diagnosis of GAD
Key elements:
1) Apprehension
2) Motor tension
3) Autonomic overactivity
Diagnosis requires at least 4 of the following criteria (with at least 1 from autonomic arousal):
- symptoms of autonomic arousal
- physical symptoms of anxiety
- mental state symptoms
- generalised symptoms
- symptoms of tension
- other: exaggerated response to minor startles
- concentration difficulties
Management of GAD
- CBT
- SSRIs
- beta-blockers for symptomatic relief
- benzos
Prevalence of panic attacks
8%
Describe a panic attack
A sudden period of intense fear or discomfort that something bad is going to happen and there is some imminent threat or danger, often accompanied by physical symptoms. Symptoms peak in the first 10-20 minutes.
Physical symptoms of a panic attack
- Pounding heart/tachycardia
- chest pain
- sweating
- trembling
- SOB
- nausea
- dizziness
- chills or hot flushes
- numbness/tingling
- feelings of choking
- derealisation or depersonalisation
- fear of losing control
- fears of dying
Acute management of a panic attack
- Reassurance
- Consider benzos if symptoms are severe and distressing
- Exclusion of medical causes if first presentaiton
Describe a panic disorder
Recurrent panic attacks that occur unpredictably and are not restricted to any particular situation or objective danger.
Not secondary to substance misuse, a medical condition or other psychiatric disorder.
Prevalence of panic disorders
2%
Risk factors for panic disorder
- Female sex
- Family history
- Age: 15-24, 45-54
- Widowed
- Divorced/separated
- Living in a city
- Limited education
- Early parental loss
- Physical/sexual abuse
Investigations to rule out a organic cause in panic disorder
- FBC
- U&Es
- glucose
- TFTs
- ECG
- Toxicology
- Calcium
- Echo
- EEG
Describe anticipatory anxiety
When patients get anxious about the possibility of having a panic attack
Management of panic disorder
- CBT
- SSRIs
- Benzodiazepines
- continue treatment for 12-18 months before trial discontinuation with tapering doses
Poor prognostic factors for panic disorder
- very severe initial symptoms
- marked agoraphobia
- low SES
- low education level
- long duration of untreated symptoms
- restricted social networks
- personality disorder
Prevalence of phobic disorders
10%
Describe a phobia
Intense unreasonable irrational fear of an object, activity or situation.
Patients recognise this fear as irrational but will go to extreme lengths to avoid the trigger
Management of a phobia
- Gradual exposure therapy
- SSRIs
Prevalence of a specific phobia
6%
Describe agoraphobia
A fear of entering crowded spaces where an immediate escape is difficult or embarrassing, or in which help may not be available in the event of a panic attack
Prevalence of agoraphobia
2%
Risk factors for agoraphobia
- Female
- Family history
- Age: 15-35
Describe social anxiety/social phobia
> 6 months of anxiety causing individuals to fear acting in a certain way which might make them get judged and can cause anxiety which interferes with their normal routine and relationships.
Prevalence of social anxiety
2.3%
Management of social anxiety
- CBT
- SSRIs
- Beta-blockers for symptomatic relief
- SNRIs
- MAOIs
Prevalence of Bipolar disorder
1%
Risk factors for bipolar disorder
- Age
- Family history
- Childbirth
Clinical features of bipolar disorder
- hypomanic/manic episodes
- increased energy
- decreased need for sleep
- elevated sense of self-esteem or grandiosity
- poor concentration
- accelerated thinking and speech
- impaired judgement and insight
- disordered thought form
- abnormal beliefs
- perceptual disturbance
Investigations to rule out organic causes of mania
- FBC & inflammatory markers
- TFTs
- HIV screen
- blood glucose
- Infection screen
- Vitamin B12
- Urine drug screen
- Brain CT/MRI
Indications for hospitalisation in a manic episode
- Impaired judgement endangering the patient or others around them
- Significant psychotic symptoms
- Excessive psychomotor agitation with risk for self-harm, dehydration or exhaustion
- thoughts of harming self or others
Treatment of acute mania
- Discontinuation of any antidepressants
- Short-term benzodiazepines
- Antiemetic agents
- Antipsychotics
- Continue any current mood stabilisers
Treatment of acute depression in bipolar disorder
- Co-prescription of antidepressants and anti-manic agents e.g. quetiapine OR fluoxetine + olanzapine
- Ensure doses of lithium or valproate are at a high level
Maintenance treatment in bipolar disorder
Maintenance treatment recommended for at least 2 years
- Lithium
- Augmentation with valproate
- Lamotrigine or carbamazepine
- Physical health monitoring due to increased CVD risk: annual weight, pulse, glucose, HbA1c, lipids, LFTs
- Family therapy, CBT/interpersonal therapy/avoidance of stimulation
- ECT
Indications for maintenance treatment in bipolar disorder
- Manic episode associated with severe adverse risk or consequences
- manic episodes and another disordered mood episode
- repeated hypomanic and depressive episodes with significant functional impairment or risk
Monitoring required for patients on lithium
- Baseline ECG and bloods
- 3 monthly lithium levels
- Annual U&Es, TFTs, calcium
Risk factors for suicide
- Male
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Alcohol misuse e.g. intoxication
- Eating disorders
- Schizophrenia
- Adjustment disorder
- Personality disorders
Overall prevalence of dementia
1%
Risk factors for dementia
- Age
- Sex: AD is more common in women, vascular dementia more common in men
- Previous cognitive impairment
- family history
- previous stroke
- AF
- smoking
- hypertension
- diabetes
- hypercholesterolaemia
- previous MI
- obesity
- late onset depression
- head injury
- low educational attainment
- Down syndrome
Causes of dementia
- AD
- Frontotemporal dementia
- Lewy body dementia
- Parkinson disease
- Huntington disease
- Progressive supranuclear palsy
- Vascular dementia
- Space-occupying lesions
- Trauma
- Infection
- Metabolic disturbance
- Endocrine disease
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Drugs and toxins
- Chronic hypoxia
- Inflammatory disease
- Normal pressure hydrocephalus
Characteristic pathological changes in AD
beta amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein
Clinical features of dementia
- Symptoms present for 6 months
- Normal conscious levels
- Progressive functional impairment
- Progressive memory impairment
- Aphasia
- Apraxia
- Agnosia
- Impaired executive functioning
- Behavioural changes
- Mood changes
- Psychosis
- Neurological symptoms
Distinguishing features of AD
- Gradual, insidious onset of progressive cognitive decline with early memory loss
- Personality changes
- Langauge difficulties
Distinguishing features of vascular dementia
- Focal neurological changes
- Evidence of cerebrovascular disease or risk factors
- May be uneven or stepwise deterioration
Distinguishing features of Lewy Body dementia
- Day to day fluctuations in cognitive performance
- Recurrent visual hallucinations
- Motor signs of Parkinsonism
- REM sleep behaviour disturbance
- Recurrent falls and syncope
Distinguishing features of frontotemporal dementia
- early decline in social and personal conduct
- dietary changes
- early emotional blunting and loss of insight
- attenuated speech output, echolalia, preservation, mutism
- loss of semantic knowledge and naming
- relative sparing of other cognitive function
Investigations to exclude reversible causes of dementia
- Vitamin B12/folate
- TFTs
- Calcium
- Glucose
- U&Es
- CT/MRI head
Management of dementia
Mild/moderate AD:
Lewy Body dementia: Cholinesterase inhibitors
Moderate/severe AD: NMDA receptor antagonists
Contraindications for cholinesterase inhibitors
- bradycardia
- caution in PUD
- COPD
- hepatic impairment
- arrhythmias
Prevalence of depression
- 20% in women
- 12% in men
Risk factors for depression
- Family history
- Early life stressors
- Acute or chronic stress
- Age: late 20s
- Female sex
- Neurotic personality traits
- Personality disorders
- Separation or divorce
- Unemployment
- Illness
Clinical features of depression
- Early morning waking
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Frequent awakening
- Hypersomnia
- Dramatic reduction in appetite with weight loss >5% of body weight in last month
- Psychomotor retardation or agitation
- loss of libido
- reduced concentration and memory
- poor self esteem
- guilt
- hopelessness
- suicide/self harm
- psychotic symptoms
- loss of emotional reactivity
- diurnal mood variation
Investigations to rule out organic causes of depression
- FBC
- ESR
- B12/folate
- U&Es
- LFTs
- TFTs
- Glucose
- Calcium
ICD-10 criteria for depressive episodes
Episodes must last >2 weeks and represent a change from normal
Must have at least 2/3 of:
- depressed mood
- loss of interest or pleasure
- reduced energy or increased fatiguability
Must have at least 2 of the following symptoms:
- disturbed sleep
- diminished appetite
- psychomotor retardation or agitation
- reduced concentration and attention
- reduced self-esteem and self-confidence
- ideas of guilt
- bleak and pessimistic views of the future
- ideas of self harm or suicide
Management of depression
Lifestyle advice
- physical activity
- diet
- avoidance of alcohol and drugs
- good sleeping habits
Psychotherapy
- CBT
- Interpersonal therapy
- Psychodynamic therapy
- Family counselling
- Mindfulness
Antidepressants (in moderate/severe depression) for at least 6 months after remission of symptoms is achieved e.g. SSRIs
ECT
Indications for ECT
- Poor response to adequate trials of antidepressants
- Intolerance of antidepressants due to side effects
- Depression with severe suicidal ideation
- Depression with psychotic features, severe psychomotor retardation or stupor
- Depression with severe self neglect
- Previous good response to ECT
Poor prognostic factors for depression include
- Insidious onset
- Neurotic depression
- Elderly patient
- Residual symptoms
- Low self-confidence
- Comorbidity
- Lack of social supports
Prevalence of eating disorders
6.4%
Risk factors for eating disorders
- Female
- Age
- Family history
- Familial habits
- Premature birth
- Perinatal complications
- Childhood adversity
- Relationship difficulties
- Certain personality traits
- OCD, depression, anxiety
- Increased exposure to media
- certain careers e.g. dancers
Clinical features of anorexia nervosa
- Self imposed low body weight
- Preoccupation with being thin
- Restrictive food behaviours and food rituals
- Amenorrhoea
- Loss of libido, impotence
- Impaired growth spurt during puberty or arrested or delayed pubertal changes
- Generalised endocrine abnormalities
- Physical symptoms e.g. palpitations, syncope, fatigue, cold sensitivity, muscle weakness
- Overvalued ideas concerning body, intrusive dread of fatness
- Anxiety
- Purging behaviours
- Abnormal weighing behaviours
Clinical features of bulimia nervosa
- Normal/slightly above normal weight
- Preoccupation with eating and irresistible craving for food
- Binge eating followed by a sense of control and feelings of shame and disgust
- Overvalued ideas around body image
- Anxiety
- Purging behaviours
- Abnormal weighing behaviour
Examinations to undertake in a person with an eating disorder
- BMI
- Presence of lanugo hair
- Loss of head hair
- Russell’s signs (callouses on hands from frequent vomiting)
- Dental abrasions or tooth decay
- lying and standing BP and pulse
- Muscle wasting
- SUSS test
- Temperature
- Mucous membranes for signs of dehydration
- Facial glands (swollen parotids in frequent vomiting)
Red flag signs in an eating disorder
- Extreme weight loss (>30% expected weigh or BMI <14)
- Bradycardia (<40 bpm)
- Marked postural hypotension (>20mmHg systolic) or postural tachycardia (>30bpm)
- Prolonged QT
- Severe dehydration
- Hypothermia (<35.5)
- Unable to get up form squatting or lying flat without using hands
- Confusion
Investigations to consider in a patient with an eating disorder
- FBC
- U&Es
- LFTs and amylase
- Glucose
- Cholesterol levels
- Endocrine screen: GH, cortisol, TFTs, LH and FSH
- ECG
- DEXA scan
Biochemical profile in a person with an eating disorder
- Normocytic anaemia
- Leukopenia
- Hypokalemia
- Hypochloraemia
- Acidosis
- Hyponatremia
- Hypomagnesaemia
- Hyophosphatemia
- Raised transaminases
- Hypoglycaemia
- Low creatinine
- Hypercholesterolaemia
- Raised amylase
- Raised GH
- Raised cortisol
- Low T3
- Low FSH an LH
- Long QT
ICD-10 criteria for anorexia nervosa
A patient must have ALL of the following:
- Low BMI
- Self-induced weight loss
- Overvalued idease
- Endocrine disturbances
- Failure to make expected weight gains, delayed or arrested pubertal events (in pre-pubertal patients)
ICD-10 criteria for bulimia nervosa
A patient must have ALL of the following:
- Regularly occurring episodes of binge eating
- Pre-occupation with and strong cravings for food
- Methods to counteract weight gain
- Overvalued ideas
Management of anorexia nervosa
Psychotherapy
1) Family therapy in children OR CBT-ED or MANTRA or SSCM in adults
2) CBT-ED or focussed psychotherapy in children OR trial of a different first line therapy
Multivitamin supplementation
Monitoring of weight and physical complications
Treatment of co-morbid anxiety/depression
Management of bulimia nervosa
Psychotherapy
1) Family therapy in children OR Guided self help in adults
2) CBT-ED
Indications for hospital inpatient treatment in anorexia nervosa
- BMI <13.5
- Rapid weight loss
- Severe electrolyte abnormalities
- Syncope
- Suicide risk
- Social crisis
Indications for hospital inpatient treatment in bulimia nervosa
- Electrolyte disturbances from purging
- Suicide risk
Electrolyte abnormalities seen in refeeding syndrome
- Hyophosphatemia
- Hypokalemia
- Hypomagnesamia
- Hyponatremia
- Metabolic acidosis
- Thiamine deficiency
Clinical manifestations of refeeding syndrome
- Muscle weakness
- Seizures
- Peripheral oedema
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Hypotension
- Delirium
Poor prognostic indicators in anorexia nervosa
- Long duration of illness
- Age of onset before puberty or after 17
- Male sex
- Very low weight
- Binge-purge symptoms
- Personality difficulties
- Difficult family relationships
Poor prognostic indicators in bulimia nervosa
- Severe binge-purge behaviour
- Low weight
- Comorbid depression
Complications of eating disorders
- Emaciation
- Cold intolerance
- Lethargy
- Amenorrhoea
- Infertility
- Reproductive tract atrophy
- Cardiomyopathy
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Heart failure
- Constipation
- Abdominal pain
- Oesophageal tears
- Gastric rupture
- Lanugo hair
- Loss of head hair
- Russell’s sign
- Proximal muscle weakness
- Osteoporosis
- Peripheral oedema
- Seizures
- Impaired concentration
- Depression
- Dental problems
- Deranged blood chemistry
Describe somatoform disorders
A class of disorders where patients are unduly concerned about physical symptoms or illness, despite examinations and investigations showing no detectable structural or physiological abnormalities
Describe conversion disorders
A term which describes the hypothetical process where psychic conflict or pain undergoes ‘conversion’ into somatic or physical form to produce physical symptoms
Describe somatisation disorder
Multiple, recurrent and frequently changing physical symptoms with the absence of an identifiable physiological explanation
Describe hypochondriacal disorders
Misinterpretation of normal bodily sensations, leading patients to believe they have a serious and progressive physical disease, despite normal examinations and investigations and frequent reassurance.
Describe body dysmorphic disorder
A variant of hypochondriacal disease in which patients are preoccupied with an imagined or minor defect in their physical appearance, causing significant distress or impairment in functioning
Describe Munchausen disorder
Physical or psychological symptoms are produced intentionally or feigned for primary gain.
Munchausen by proxy is when a carer will seek help for fabricated or induced symptoms in a dependent
Describe malingering
Physical or psychological symptoms are produced intentionally or feigned for secondary gain e.g. benefits, illicit drugs
Risk factors for medically unexplained symptoms
- Age
- Female sex
- Childhood sexual abuse
- Growing up in environments where physical distress is more readily acknowledged than psychological distress
- Stressor
- Minor physical injury
Examples of medically unexplained symptoms
- Atypical chest pain
- Hyperventilation syndrome
- IBS
- Dissociative seizures
- Weakness and sensory symptoms
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
Risk factors for PMS
- Significant psychosocial stress
- History of trauma
- Obesity
- Family history
- History of depression or anxiety
Clinical features of PMS
Symptoms occur in the 10 days prior to menstruation, peaking 2 days before menses begin and remit in the 2 weeks following
- Low mood
- Labile mood/irritability
- Concentration difficulties
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Abdominal bloating
- Breast tenderness
Management of mild PMS
- Healthy eating
- Stress reduction
- Regular sleep
- Regular exercise
Management of moderate/severe PMS
- COCP
- Analgesia
- CBT
- SSRI
- GnRH analogues with HRT
- Surgical treatment with add-back HRT
Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in pregnant women
10%
Indications for referral to the perinatal psychiatric services
- Preconception counselling for women with mental illness
- Pregnant women who are severely psychiatrically unwell
- Pregnant women at high risk of puerperal mental illness
- Women expressing ideas of self-harm, suicide or homocide
- Women with a history of puerperal psychosis
- Psychiatrically unwell women who are the main carer for babies <6 months old
- Pregnant women with harmful or dependent substance use
Risks of SSRI use in pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Withdrawal symptoms in the neonate
- Small risk of congenital heart disease if used in 1st trimester
- Rarely associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension when given after 1st trimester
Fluoxetine and sertraline considered safest in pregnancy
Sertraline considered safest in breast-feeding but all are considered safe. Breastfeeding should NOT be discouraged.
Risks of tricyclics use in pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Withdrawal symptoms in the neonate
- Risk of toxicity in overdose
Considered safe in breastfeeding (except doxepin)
Risks of mood stabilisers use in pregnancy and breastfeeding
ALL ARE ASSOCIATED WITH TERATOGENICITY:
- Valproate and carbamazepine increase risk of neural tube defects
- Valproate also increases the risk of congenital abnormalities and developmental disorders
- Lithium increases risk of cardiac defects and Epstein’s anomaly, but CAN be used in pregnancy
Lithium is NOT advised in breastfeeding - risk of neonatal toxicity
Valproate and carbamazepine may be associated with neonatal hepatotoxicity
Risks of antipsychotic use in pregnancy and breastfeeding
- May cause EPSE in neonates
- Olanzapine increases risk of gestational diabetes
- AVOID large doses in infants due to risk of lethargy
Risks of benzodiazepines use in pregnancy and breastfeeding
Associated with floppy infant syndrome (hypotonia, breathing and feeding difficulties)
Neonatal withdrawal syndrome
Use benzos with a short half life in breastfeeding if necessary
Prevalence of ‘postnatal blues’
50-80% of pregnant women
Symptoms of the baby blues
Presents within 10 days post delivery and symptoms peak between days 3-4
- Episodes of tearfulness
- Mild depression or anxiety
- Emotional lability and irritability
- Feeling exhausted or overwhelmed
Management of baby blues
Reassurance - symptoms resolve spontaneously in 2 weeks
Prevalence of postnatal depression
12% of pregnant women
Risk factors for postnatal depression
- Lack of a close confiding relationship
- Intimate partner violence
- Low income
- Young maternal age
- Previous history of depression
- History of antenatal depression
- Discontinuation of antidepressants
- Obstetric complications during delivery
Clinical features of postnatal depression
Symptoms onset within 3 months of delivery and peak at 3-4 weeks
- Low mood
- Anhedonia
- Fatiguability, sleep disturbance
- Low self confidence/low self esteem
- Suicidal ideation
- Anxious preoccupation with the baby’s health, often associated with feelings of guilt and inadequacy
- Reduced affection for the baby with possible impaired bonding/loss of interest
- Difficulty coping with care of the baby
- Obsessional phenomena: typically recurrent intrusive thoughts of harming the baby
- Infanticidal ideas
Management of postnatal depression
Mild:
- facilitated self help
Moderate:
- High intensity psychotherapy e.g. CBT
- Antidepressant e.g. SSRI
Severe:
- Hospital admission to mother and baby unit
- Consider ECT
Prevalence of postpartum psychosis
1 in 500
Risk factors for postpartum psychosis
- Primiparity
- Personal history of bipolar of postpartum psychosis
- Family history of bipolar or postpartum psychosis
- Obstetric complications
Clinical features of postpartum psychosis
Episodes onset rapidly and deteriorate quickly. Usually occur within 2 weeks of delivery, often within a few days. Symptoms often fluctuate dramatically over a short space of time.
- Insomnia
- Restlessness
- Perplexity
- Suspiciousness
- Psychotic symptoms (often related to the baby)
- Mood symptoms e.g. depression, elation, mood instability, overactivity
- Rambling, disordered speech
- Retained degree of insight
Red flag symptoms in postpartum psychosis
- Thoughts of self harm or harming the baby
- Severe depressive delusions e.g. belief that the baby is/should be dead
- Command hallucinations instructing the mother to harm herself or the baby
Management of postpartum psychosis
PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY
- Hospitalisation in a mother and baby unit
- Urgent referral to psychiatry
- DO NOT leave the mother alone with the baby
- Antidepressants/antipsychotics/mood stabilisers depending on presentation
- Benzodiazepines in severe behavioural disturbance
- ECT in severe or treatment resistant cases
Which law are compulsory measures in mental health covered in Scotland?
Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003