Question Extras

Question 1

What is the difference between somatisation disorder and hypochondriac disorder?

Answer 1

somatisation is a patient consistently complaining of unexplained symptoms

hypochondriasis is a patient believing they have a disease

mnemonic
Somatisation = Symptoms
hypoCondriasis = Cancer

Question 2

What are the possible side effects of benzodiazepines?

Answer 2

drowsiness.
light-headedness.
confusion.
unsteadiness (especially in older people, who may fall and experience injuries)
dizziness.
slurred speech.
muscle weakness.
memory problems (anterograde amnesia)

Question 3

How should you manage a patient with previously well controlled schizophrenia presenting as being psychotic with stopping taking their medication?

Answer 3

change to monthly depot injections

MHA states “treated in the least restrictive way possible and keeping them in hospital for the shortest possible time”

Question 4

SSRIs and pregnancy

1. What are the possible risks?
2. Which SSRI carries the biggest risk?

Answer 4

1. • small increased risk of congenital heart defects in first trimester
     - can cause persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn in 3rd trimester
2. paroxetine carries the largest risk of congenital malformations

Question 5

How does panic disorder differ from anxiety

Answer 5

panic disorder will have random attacks with no background of anxiety

Question 6

What is a typical description of a patient developing a catatonia?

Answer 6

• stopping voluntary movement

- staying still in a weird position +/- place

Question 7

How can you differentiate between OCD and psychosis?

Answer 7

insight

in psychosis patient has true delusion they may die/fail

whereas in OCD often level of insight that in reality their obsessive thought would not come true

Question 8

How can restless legs be managed?

Answer 8

dopamine agonists: pramipexole or ropinirole