Psychiatry - Affective disorder and anxiety Flashcards
What are the core symptoms of depression?
- Anhedonia
- Anergia
- Low mood
For how long do the symptoms of depression have to persist, to diagnose it?
2 weeks
How many of the core symptoms of depression are required to diagnose it?
2 of 3
What are the three types of symptoms seen in depression?
- Cognitive
- Biological
- Psychotic
Give 3 examples of cognitive symptoms seen in depression
- Feelings of guilt
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Unable to see future
- Poor concentration and memory
Give 3 examples of biological symptoms seen in depression
- Altered sleep pattern (insomnia or early morning waking)
- Hypersomnia
- Reduced appetite
- Reduced libido
Give 3 examples of psychotic symptoms seen in depression
Tend to be seen in severe depression
- Auditory hallucinations (often derogatory)
2. Nihilistic or persecutory delusions
Grades of depression
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Severe with psychotic symptoms
Red flag symptoms in depression
- Suicidality
- Psychotic symptoms
- Severe self-neglect
- Ceasing to eat or drink
Give 3 differential diagnoses of depression
- Physical e.g. hypothyroidism, head injury, delirium
- Adjustment disorder - unpleasant but mild affective symptoms following a life event but not severe enough to diagnose depression
- Normal sadness
- Bereavement
- BPAD/ schizoaffective disorder/schizophrenia
- Substance misuse
- Postnatal depression
- Dementia - if depression affects memory can appear that the patient has dementia
What are the normal stages of grief
- Numbness
- Pining
- Depression
- Recovery
What investigations would you do in a patient with suspected depression
- Blood tests - TFT (exclude hypothyroidism), FBC (exclude anaemia), HBa1c (exclude lethargy caused by diabetes)
- Rating scales e.g. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) or Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
- CT or MRI if suspected cerebral pathology
Give 2 examples of rating scales that can be used in patients with suspected depression to measure severity or monitor treatment
- Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
2. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)
What are the 3 steps of depression management
- Psychological treatment
- Pharmacological treatment
- Non -drug options
Give three examples of psychological treatments used in depression
- CBT
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Interpersonal therapy
How do antidepressants work?
Increase the overall level of monamines in the synaptic cleft by either decreasing uptake or breakdown
Antidepressants are typically indicated for what types of depression?
Moderate/severe
What antidepressants are first line and why?
SSRI’s because they have relatively fewer side effects and safety in overdose
How long should antidepressants be prescribed for?
Until the patient is no longer depressed and then a further six months to prevent relapse
Give 3 side effects of antidepressants
- Hyponatraemia
- Sexual dysfunction
- Most reduce seizure threshold (be aware in epilepsy)
How long to antidepressants typically take to work and why?
4-6 weeks
Serotonin and central beta-adrenergic receptors decrease in number over time
How do SSRI’s work?
Reduce uptake of serotonin in pre-synaptic nerve terminal so enhance serotoninergic neurotransmission
How to TCA’s work?
Inhibit the reuptake of NA and 5-HT (serotonin)
Why aren’t TCA’s used as first line?
Cardiotoxicity in overdose can be lethal