Mental Health Red Flags

Question 1

What are the red flags questions for depression?

Answer 1

• Low mood > 2 weeks.
• Irritability
• Anhedonia
• Loss of concentration
• Sleep problems (initial insomnia +/- disrupted sleep +/- early morning wakening.
• Appetitite loss
• Weight loss/gain
• Suicidal plans
• ALSO
  
  • Consider Bipolar - ask about manic symptoms
  • Consider Psychosis - hallucinations, delusions
  • Consider anxiety - mixed affective disorder.

Question 2

What are the red flag features/questions in Anxiety?

Answer 2

• Worried or on edge.
• Losing control
• Overwhelming panic
• Breathing trouble/choking sensation
• Hyperventilation
• Hot flushes
• Trembling/shaking
• Perioral tingling
• ALSO
  
  • Consider depression - mixed affective disorder.

Question 3

What are the red flags for suicidal risk?

Answer 3

• Self harm
• Harm to others
• Plans
  
  • Means & lethality of plan
• Level of hopelessness and level of intent to act on plans.
• Protective factors (family, children, religion)
• Worsening factors
  
  • Life stressors
  • Loneliness
  • Depression
  • Psychosis
  • Chronic illness
  • Severe pain
  • Alcohol.
• Previous suicide attempts