PassMed Flashcards
(190 cards)
What medication to treat tardive dyskinesia? repetitive involuntary movements including grimacing and sticking out the tongue.
Tetrabenezine
Which antipsychotic results in prolonged QT syndrome?
haloperidol
what reduces the seizure threshold?
atypical (2nd gen) > typical antipsychotics
e.g. clozapine
antipsychotic side effects
Antipsychotics: mechanism of action, adverse effects, examples
examples of acute dystonia?
sustained muscle contractions torticollis and oculogyric crisis
examples of acute dystonia?
sustained muscle contractions (torticollis and oculogyric crisis)
risks of antipsychotics in the elderly
- increased risk of stroke
- increased risk of venous thromboembolism
anti-muscarinic side effects
examples of anti-muscarinics
dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation
clozapine, TCAs, anti-parkinson drugs
ECT: side effects (immediate and long term)
Immediate side effects
Short term:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Headache
- Nausea
- Aching muscles
- Loss of appetite
- SHORT TERM MEMORY IMPAIRMENT = RETROGRADE AMNESIA
- CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA
Long term side effects
- Apathy
- Anhedonia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of emotional responses
- Difficulty learning new information
ECT: side effects (immediate and long term)
Immediate side effects
Short term:
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Headache
- Nausea
- Aching muscles
- Loss of appetite
- SHORT TERM MEMORY IMPAIRMENT = RETROGRADE AMNESIA
- CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIA
Long term side effects
- Apathy
- Anhedonia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of emotional responses
- Difficulty learning new information
When do we use ECT?
Catatonia
Prolonged or severe manic episode
Episode of moderate depression known to respond to ECT in the past
Severe depression that is life-threatening
NOTE: it is effective in pregnant women
How long is a depressive episode?
more then 2 WEEKS
depressive disorder criteria
more than 2 weeks AND
Mild Depressive Episode:
- At least 2 of the main 3 symptoms of depression, and at least two of the other symptoms, should be present for a definite diagnosis. None of the symptoms should be present to an intense degree
- Minimum duration of the whole episode is about 2 weeks
- Individuals may be distressed by symptoms, but should be able to continue work and social functioning
Moderate Depressive Episode:
- At least 2 of the main 3 symptoms of depression, and at least three (and preferably four) of the other symptoms, should be present for a definite diagnosis
- Minimum duration of the whole episode is about 2 weeks
- Individuals will usually have considerable difficulty continuing with normal work and social functioning
Severe Depressive Episode:
- All three of the typical symptoms should be present, plus at least four other symptoms, some of which should be of severe intensity
- The minimum duration of the whole episode should last at least 2 weeks, but if the symptoms are particularly severe then it may be appropriate to make an early diagnosis
- Can also experience psychotic symptoms with severe depressive episodes
- Individuals show severe distress and/or agitation
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Obsessions vs compulsions
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterised by the presence of either obsessions or compulsions, but commonly both. The symptoms can cause significant functional impairment and/ or distress.
An obsession is defined as an unwanted intrusive thought, image or urge that repeatedly enters the person’s mind. Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that the person feels driven to perform. A compulsion can either be overt and observable by others, such as checking that a door is locked, or a covert mental act that cannot be observed, such as repeating a certain phrase in one’s mind.
OCD associations
Associations
- depression (30%)
- schizophrenia (3%)
- Sydenham’s chorea
- Tourette’s syndrome
- anorexia nervosa
OCD mx
Management
- If functional impairment is mild
- low-intensity psychological treatments: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) including exposure and response prevention (ERP)
- If this is insufficient or can’t engage in psychological therapy, then offer choice of either a course of an SSRI or more intensive CBT (including ERP)
- If moderate functional impairment
- offer a choice of either a course of an SSRI (any SSRI for OCD but fluoxetine specifically for body dysmorphic disorder) or more intensive CBT (including ERP)
- If severe functional impairment
- offer combined treatment with an SSRI and CBT (including ERP)
Notes on treatments
- ERP is a psychological method which involves exposing a patient to an anxiety provoking situation (e.g. for someone with OCD, having dirty hands) and then stopping them engaging in their usual safety behaviour (e.g. washing their hands). This helps them confront their anxiety and the habituation leads to the eventual extinction of the response
- if treatment with SSRI is effective then continue for at least 12 months to prevent relapse and allow time for improvement
- If SSRI ineffective or not tolerated try either another SSRI
OCD: what is the medication and for how long, and what is the next medication
FLUOXETINE for 12 weeks
if first SSRI not effective after 12 weeks → CLOMIPRAMINE or alternative SSRI
Personality disorders: what are the three clusters?
What is cluster A?
Odd or Eccentric = paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal
Paranoid
- Hypersensitivity and an unforgiving attitude when insulted
- Unwarranted tendency to question the loyalty of friends
- Reluctance to confide in others
- Preoccupation with conspirational beliefs and hidden meaning
- Unwarranted tendency to perceive attacks on their character
Schizoid
- Indifference to praise and criticism
- Preference for solitary activities
- Lack of interest in sexual interactions
- Lack of desire for companionship
- Emotional coldness
- Few interests
- Few friends or confidants other than family
Schizotypal
- Ideas of reference (differ from delusions in that some insight is retained)
- Odd beliefs and magical thinking
- Unusual perceptual disturbances
- Paranoid ideation and suspiciousness
- Odd, eccentric behaviour
- Lack of close friends other than family members
- Inappropriate affect
- Odd speech without being incoherent
What is cluster B?
Dramatic, Emotional or Erratic = Antisocial, Borderline (EU), Histrionic
Antisocial
- Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviours as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;
- More common in men;
- Deception, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;
- Impulsiveness or failure to plan ahead;
- Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults;
- Reckless disregard for the safety of self or others;
- Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behaviour or honour financial obligations;
- Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another
Borderline - also known as Emotionally Unstable
- Efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment
- Unstable interpersonal relationships which alternate between idealization and devaluation
- Unstable self image
- Impulsivity in potentially self damaging area (e.g. Spending, sex, substance abuse)
- Recurrent suicidal behaviour
- Affective instability
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
- Difficulty controlling temper
- Quasi psychotic thoughts
Histrionic
- Inappropriate sexual seductiveness
- Need to be the centre of attention
- Rapidly shifting and shallow expression of emotions
- Suggestibility
- Physical appearance used for attention seeking purposes
- Impressionistic speech lacking detail
- Self dramatization
- Relationships considered to be more intimate than they are
Narcissistic
- Grandiose sense of self importance
- Preoccupation with fantasies of unlimited success, power, or beauty
- Sense of entitlement
- Taking advantage of others to achieve own needs
- Lack of empathy
- Excessive need for admiration
- Chronic envy
- Arrogant and haughty attitude
What is cluster C?
Anxious and Fearful = OCD, Avoidant, Dependent
Obsessive-compulsive
- Is occupied with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or agenda to the point that the key part of the activity is gone
- Demonstrates perfectionism that hampers with completing tasks
- Is extremely dedicated to work and efficiency to the elimination of spare time activities
- Is meticulous, scrupulous, and rigid about etiquettes of morality, ethics, or values
- Is not capable of disposing worn out or insignificant things even when they have no sentimental meaning
- Is unwilling to pass on tasks or work with others except if they surrender to exactly their way of doing things
- Takes on a stingy spending style towards self and others; and shows stiffness and stubbornness
Avoidant
- Avoidance of occupational activities which involve significant interpersonal contact due to fears of criticism, or rejection.
- Unwillingness to be involved unless certain of being liked
- Preoccupied with ideas that they are being criticised or rejected in social situations
- Restraint in intimate relationships due to the fear of being ridiculed
- Reluctance to take personal risks due to fears of embarrassment
- Views self as inept and inferior to others
- Social isolation accompanied by a craving for social contact
Dependent
- Difficulty making everyday decisions without excessive reassurance from others
- Need for others to assume responsibility for major areas of their life
- Difficulty in expressing disagreement with others due to fears of losing support
- Lack of initiative
- Unrealistic fears of being left to care for themselves
- Urgent search for another relationship as a source of care and support when a close relationship ends
- Extensive efforts to obtain support from others
- Unrealistic feelings that they cannot care for themselves
How do we manage personality disorders?
What is Cotard Syndrome?
Cotard syndrome is a rare mental disorder where the affected patientbelieves that they (or in some cases just a part of their body) is either dead or non-existent. This delusion is often difficult to treat and can result in significant problems due to patients stopping eating or drinking as they deem it not necessary.
Cotard syndrome is associated with severe depression and psychotic disorders.
A 60-year-old male is admitted to the in-patient psychiatric unit last night. On reviewing him this morning, he is a poor historian, answering most questions minimally and stating he does not need to be here as he is deceased, and hospitals should be for living patients.