Psychiatry - Level 2 Flashcards
Definition of adjustment disorder?
- Adjustment disorders are states of emotional distress and disturbance, usually interfering with social functioning, arising in period of adaptation to a significant life event (bereavement/separation)
- Must occur within 1 month of stressor and most do not occur after 6 months
Risk factors of adjustment disorder?
o Younger age
o Increased suicidal behaviour
Aetiology of adjustment disorder?
o The integrity of an individual’s social network (bereavement, separation experiences)
o The wider system of social supports and values (migration, refugee status)
o Major developmental transition or crisis (going to school, becoming a parent, failure to attain a cherished personal goal, retirement)
Symptoms of adjustment disorder?
o Sadness o Hopelessness o Lack of enjoyment o Crying spells o Nervousness o Anxiety o Desperation o Trouble sleeping o Difficulty concentrating o Performing poorly at work/school
Subtypes of adjustment disorder?
o Brief/Prolonged (>6m) depressive disorder
o Mixed anxiety and depressive disorder
o Disturbance of affect, conduct
o Grief/Bereavement reactions
Types of grief reaction?
Normal grief
• Typical disbelief, sadness, shock, numbness, anger, guilt, disturbed sleep, appetite
• Symptoms gradually reduce which usually lasts less than 12 months
Abnormal Grief
• Very intense, prolonged, delayed or where symptoms outside of normal
• Worthlessness, excessive guilty, marked slowing of thoughts and movements, not functioning normally
Management of adjustment disorder - psychological?
o Supportive psychotherapy
o Talking therapy
o Counselling
o Verbalization
Management of adjustment disorder - pharmacological?
o SSRIs
o Anxiolytics
Management of adjustment disorder - bereavement?
o Groups such as CRUSE for counselling
Prognosis of adjustment disorder?
- 20% develop major psychiatric illness within 5 years
- Most recover within 5 years
Definition of neurosis?
- Neurosis is abnormal psychogenic reactions with two components:
o Vulnerable personality
o Stress factors triggering the reaction
What is normal anxiety?
o Anxiety is a common, normal mood
o An evolutionary response to threatening situation due to adrenaline release which causes physical symptoms
o Fight or flight response
o It becomes problematic when it starts to interfere with daily life/out of proportion to the threat
What is generalised anxiety disorder?
o Persistent free-floating worry and feelings of apprehension about everyday events causing significant functional impairment
o Most days for 6 months
o Comorbidity with panic disorder, social phobias, depression and substance misuse
Epidemiology of generalised anxiety disorder?
- Lifetime prevalence 1 in 5
- Females 2:1 Males
Risk factors of generalised anxiety disorder?
o Unemployed
o Single
o Stressful events in childhood
Aetiology of generalised anxiety disorder?
o Genetic
o ANS hyperresponsiveness
o Experience of unexpected negative stressors (death of parent, rape, war, family dysfunction)
ICD-10 criteria of generalised anxiety disorder?
At least 4 symptoms (with at least 1 from autonomic arousal):
o Autonomic Arousal
Palpitations, tachycardia, sweating, trembling, dry mouth
o Physical symptoms
Breathing difficulties, choking sensation, chest pain, nausea, abdominal pain
o Mental state
Feeling dizzy, unsteady, faint, derealisation, fear of losing control, passing out, dying
o General symptoms
Hot/Cold flushes, numbness or tingling
o Tension
Muscle aches/tension, restlestness, feeling on edge
o Other
Exaggerated response to minor surprises, concentration difficulties, sleep problems
Assessment of generalised anxiety disorder?
- History and MSE
- Diagnosis made on clinical symptoms (ICD-10)
- Assess severity using GAD-7 questionnaire
- Enquire about:
o Comorbid depressive, anxiety, medical conditions
o Substance misuse
o Environmental stressors
Management of generalised anxiety disorder - general advice?
o Sleep problems
Use sleep hygiene advice - avoid caffeine, alcohol, bedtime routines
o Regular exercise
o Counselling
o Self-help books on relaxation and leaflets
Management of generalised anxiety disorder - psychological 1st line ?
o CBT
Based on idea that thoughts and feelings are maintaining problems
Individual recognises thoughts and finds more helpful ways to view them, also replaces automatic morbid anticipatory thoughts with realistic cognition
o Applied relaxation
Management of generalised anxiety disorder - pharmacological 2nd line?
o SSRIs/SNRIs
Start at low dose and increase
o Beta-blockers
For palpitations and tremor
o Benzodiazepines
Avoid if possible
Only short-term use, best to avoid – risk of dependence
Management of generalised anxiety disorder - if severe or risk to harm self or others?
o Admission, acute CRISIS assessment, CMHT
Prognosis of generalised anxiety disorder?
- The more chronic, the worse the prognosis
- 1 in 3 remits after 3 years with treatment
- In 6 years, 1 in 10 have severe persistent impairment
Definition of panic disorder?
o Recurrent panic attacks which are not secondary to substance misuse, medical conditions or another psychiatric disorder
o Frequency may be attacks every day to a few a year
o Persistent worry about having attacks and persistent behaviour changes due to this
o Can be with or without agoraphobia
Definition of panic attack?
o A period of intense fear characterised by panic symptoms that develop rapidly, reach a peak in about 10 mins and do not last longer than 20-30 minutes
o Attacks may be spontaneous or situational
ICD-10 diagnosis of panic disorder?
o Recurrent panic attacks, not restricted to any situation or set of circumstances
o 4 panic attacks in 4 weeks, sudden onset
Epidemiology of panic disorder?
- Occurs in 1-2% of population
- Female 3:1 Males
- Peak incidence 15-25 and 45-55
Aetiology of panic disorder?
o Genetic
o Neurotransmitters
Increased serotonin, noradrenaline lactate or decreased GABA
o Fear Network
Increased stimulation of amygdala, hypothalamus and brainstem centres
Symptoms of panic disorder?
Autonomic Arousal o Tremor o Tachycardia o Tachypnoea o Hypertension o Sweating o GI upset o Globus hystericus o Chest pain o Dizzy o Light-headed o Derealisation o Numbness
Concerns of death from cardiac and respiratory problems
Thoughts of suicide
Investigations of panic disorder?
o FBC, U&Es, glucose, TFTs, Ca
o ECG
o Toxicology
Management of panic disorder - general advice?
- Allow understanding of panic disorders
- Avoid anxiety-producing substances – caffeine, alcohol, drugs
- Exercise
Management of panic disorder - psychological 1st line?
- Behavioural methods
o Phobic avoidance treated by exposure, relaxation techniques - CBT
- Emotion-focussed psychotherapy
Management of panic disorder - pharmacological 2nd line?
- SSRIs
- TCAs
- Benzodiazepines
o Used short-term for severe anxiety - If ineffective, change AD or if >2 unsuccessful then consider referral to secondary services for combination with SSRI+TCAs, TCA + lithium
- Continue treatment for 1 year and then tapering down
Definition of bipolar affective disorder?
- Bipolar disorder is characterized by both episodes of depressed mood and episodes of elated mood and increased activity
- Mixed is occurrence of both mania and depression symptoms in a single episode, present every day for at least 2 weeks
What is cyclothymia?
- Cyclothymia is mild chronic BAD
Epidemiology of bipolar affective disorder?
- Peak age 21
- Up to 1% life-time risk
- Males = Females
Aetiology of bipolar affective disorder?
o Genetic
o 1st degree relative, you have 10% lifetime risk of BAD
o Dysfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
o Cyclothymic personality
Persistent instability of mood
o Psychosocial
Child maltreatment, traumatic events, social exclusion
Lack of confiding relationship
o Neurotransmitters
o Monoamine hypothesis
Excess noradrenaline, serotonin,dopamine for mania, depletion for depression
ICD-10 diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder?
o >2 episodes of mood disturbance, one of which must be hypomanic, manic or mixed with recovery usually complete between episodes
o Depressed episodes need to meet criteria for depression
Symptoms of manic episodes of bipolar affective disorder?
o Abnormally elevated mood, extreme irritability, aggression
o Increased energy or activity, restlessness, and a decreased need for sleep (for example the person feels rested after only 3 hours of sleep).
o Pressure of speech or incomprehensible speech.
o Flight of ideas or racing thoughts.
o Distractibility, poor concentration.
o Increased libido, disinhibition, and sexual indiscretions
o Extravagant or impractical plans
o Psychotic symptoms: delusions (usually grandiose) or hallucinations (usually voices)
o At least 7 days
Symptoms of depression of bipolar affective disorder?
o Feelings of persistent sadness or low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and low energy
Investigations of bipolar affective disorder?
o FBCs, ESR, glucose, U&Es, LFTs, Ca, TFTs, drug screen
o ECG
o Other tests if indicated
Management of bipolar affective disorder - referral?
Refer to CMHT or CAMHS
Management of bipolar affective disorder - if danger to themselves or others?
o Urgent referral, hospital admission
Management of bipolar affective disorder - pharmacological - acute manic episode?
Stop antidepressant medication
Oral antipsychotic (haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
Try another if ineffective
Add lithium/sodium valproate if 2nd ineffective
Benzodiazepines if agitated (lorazepam)
Management of bipolar affective disorder - pharmacological - acute depressive episode?
Antidepressant and mood stabiliser (lithium, lamotrigine)
Management of bipolar affective disorder - pharmacological - long term treatment?
Lithium (1st line)
Sodium valproate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine if ineffective/not tolerated
Management of bipolar affective disorder - severe, treatment refractory cases?
o ECT (in severe cases where medication does not work)
Management of bipolar affective disorder - psychological?
o Education
o Psychological interventions for BAD
CBT, IPT, Family therapy
o High-intensity psychological treatment for depression
Management of bipolar affective disorder - social care?
o Written care plan
o Support groups
o Crisis plan
o Encourage lasting power of attorney
Management of bipolar affective disorder - General advice?
o Stop driving during acute illness – inform DVLA
o Lifestyle advice
Prognosis of bipolar affective disorder?
- Often delay between age of onset of symptoms and medical help
- Chronic, life-long with patients suffering on average 10 episodes over a lifetime
- Deliberate self-harm and suicide (25-50% try)
- High morbidity in lost work, lost productivity, suicide in (10%)
- Drug and alcohol misuse
Definition of manic episode?
Period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive or irritable mood with >3 characteristic symptoms of mania
At least 1 week, or until admissions to hospital
Impairs occupational and social functioning
Definition of hypomania?
A disorder characterized by a persistent mild elevation of mood; a smaller degree of mania
The disturbances of mood and behaviour are not accompanied by hallucinations or delusions
Lasts at least 4 days and clearly different from normal mood
Definition of mania with psychosis?
Clinical picture of mania but with delusions (usually grandiose) or hallucinations (usually voices speaking directly to patient), flight of ideas an extreme
Definition of manic stupor?
Unresponsive, akinetic, mute and fully conscious
Facies indicate elation and flight of ideas common
Medications inducing mania?
o Antidepressants o Benzodiazepines o Antipsychotics o Anti-Parkinsonian medications o Steroids o Analgesics o Antibiotics
Psychotic symptoms in mania?
o May be mood congruent/incongruent o Grandiouse ideas – may be delusional to role, power, religion o Persecutory delusions o Thought disorder and speech incomprehensible o Violent behaviour o Self-neglect o Catatonic behaviour o Total loss of insight
Manic symptoms in acute mania?
o Elevated mood (usually out of keeping with circumstances)
o Increased energy
Overactive, flight of ideas (pressured speech), racing thoughts, reduced need for sleep
o Increased self-esteem
Overoptimistic ideation, grandiosity, reduced social inhibitions, overfamiliarity, facetiousness
o Reduced attention
o Dangerous behaviour
Extravagant, impracticable schemes, reckless spending, inappropriate sexual encounters
o Excitement, Irritability, Aggressiveness, Suspiciousness
o Disruption of work, usual social activity and family life
Definition of depression?
- Depression is characterised by persistent low mood and/or loss of pleasure in most activities and a range of associated emotional, cognitive, physical, and behavioural symptoms
Definition of dysthymia?
- Dysthymia is persistent subthreshold depressive symptoms for more than 2 years
Monoamine hypothesis of depression?
o Depression results from the depletion/change in function of MA neurotransmitters: NA, serotonin and dopamine in limbic system of brain
o Antidepressants inhibit uptake or breakdown of MA causing an increase in levels of the MA neurotransmitters
Other types of depression?
o Atypical, postnatal, seasonal affective disorder
Epidemiology of depression?
- Lifetime risk of depressive disorders= 15%
- Prevalence 1 in 5 people
- Females 2:1 Males
Risk factors of depression - biological?
Genetics Physical illness • Especially severe, chronic or painful Organic Causes • Endocrine o Cushing’s, Addisons, Hypothyroidism • Neurological o Stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Huntingtons, MS, epilepsy • Metabolic o Fe, B12, Folate, hypercalcaemia, hypomagnesaemia • Infection • Neoplasms • Drugs o L-dopa, steroids, B-blockers, digoxin, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, alcohol
Risk factors of depression - psychological?
Childhood experiences • Loss of a parent, lack of parental care, parental alcoholism, childhood sexual abuse Personality traits • Neuroticism, impulsivity, obsessional Vulnerability factors in women • 3 or more children under 14 • No work outside the home • No confiding relationship
Risk factors of depression - social?
Social classes 4 and 5
Urban areas
Unemployment
Core symptoms of depression?
o Anhedonia
o Low mood (diurnal variation, usually worse in morning)
o Reduced energy (anenergia)
For >2 weeks
Other ICD features of depression?
Sleep disturbance
Insomnia (early morning waking 2-3 hours before should)
Hypersomnia (esp. atypical depression, bipolar)
Change in appetite and weight
Reduced concentration
Agitation/Slow Movements
Guilt/worthlessness feelings
Suicidal thoughts
Additional symptoms of depression?
o Psychomotor retardation/agitation
o Constipation
o Pessimistic future
Psychotic symptoms of depression?
o Delusions
o Hallucinations
MSE of depression?
o Downturned eyes o Poor eye contact o Frown, expressionless o Knitted brow o Unkempt o Weight loss o Slow speech o Psychomotor retardation o Low mood o Pessimistic
Classing severity of depression?
o Mild = 2 core + 2 other
o Moderate = 2 core + 3 other
o Severe = 3 core + 4 other
Investigations of depression?
- Investigations
o Not routinely needed but if organic cause suspected then think about:
FBC, ESR, B12/Folate, U&Es, LFTs, TFTs, glucose, Ca2+ - Primary Care Questionnaire
o PHQ-9
Diagnosis of depression according to ICD-10?
If 4 or more of the 10 symptoms of depression
o Mild = 2 core + 2 other
o Moderate = 2 core + 3 other
o Severe = 3 core + 4 other