Psych Flashcards
(331 cards)
What are the two main classification systems for mental disorders?
- ICD-10
- DSM-5
Give 2 examples of biological approaches to psychiatric management
- Pharmacological therapy
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
Definition: ECT
Electroconvulsive therapy
* done under general anesthesia
* small electric currents are passed through the brain, triggering a brief seizure
* causes change in brain chemistry
Give 2 examples of psychological approaches to psychiatric management
- Counselling
- Psychoeducation
- Psychotherapies e.g. CBT
Give 2 examples of social approaches to psychiatric management
- Support groups/self-help groups
- social services input e.g. financial, housing
Definition: Mood
Refers to a patient’s sustained, experienced emotional state over a period of time
Definition: Affect
Refers to the transient flow of emotion in response to a particular stimulus
When are fluctuations in mood considered as a mood disorder?
When the disturbance of mood is severe enough to cause impairment in the ADLs
Definition: Mood disorder
Any condition characterized by distorted, excessive or inappropriate moods or emotions for a sustained period of time
* also known as an affective disorder
Give 2 examples of affective disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
Definition: Depression
Affective mood disorder characterized by persistent low mood, loss of pleasure and lack of energy accompanied by emotional, cognitive and biological symptoms
Definition: Dysthymia
A milder, but more chronic form of depression (>2 years)
Aetiology: Give 5 biological risk factors for depression
- Family Hx of depression
- Female
- Parkinson’s, MS, hypothyroidism
- Neuroendocrine: overactive HPA axis
- Medications: beta-blockers, steroids
Aetiology: Give 5 psychological risk factors for depression
- Personality traits: dependent, anxious, obsessional, impulsive
- Childhood trauma
- Traumatic life events
- Low self-esteem
- Lack of education
Aetiology: Give 3 examples of social risk factors for depression
- Poor social support
- Poor socioeconomic status
- Marital status: separated/divorced
Clinical features: Name the 3 core symptoms of depression
- Low mood
- Anhedonia: lack of interest in previously enjoyed things
- Lack of energy
Clinical features: Name 5 biological symptoms of depression
- Diurnal mood changes (DVM): usually worse in the morning
- Early morning wakening: 2-3 hrs earlier than usual
- Psychomotor retardation: slow speech/movement
- Loss of libido
- Weight loss
- Appetite loss
Clinical features: Name 4 cognitive symptoms of depression
- Lack of concentration
- Negative thoughts
- Excessive guilt
- Suicidal ideation
Clinical features: Name 2 psychotic symptoms of depression
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
DDx: Name 5 psychiatric differentials of depression
- Depressive episode linked to substance/medication use
- Bipolar affective disorder
- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
- Bereavement
- Anxiety disorders
DDx: Name 3 organic illness differentials of depression
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing’s disease or syndrome
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
Investigations: how to form a clinical diagnosis of depression
- Diagnostic questionnaires e.g. PHQ-9
- Blood tests: FBC (anaemia), TFTs (hypothypothyroidism - elevated TSH ), glucose (diabetes can cause anergia)
- Imaging: MRI or CT (where there is atypical presentation or features of an intracranial lesion)
Tx: What is the short-term management for mild depression?
Low-intensity psychosocial interventions:
* Group/individual CBT
* Counselling
* Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRI): only if Hx of moderate/severe depression or mild depression present for at least 2 years/present after other interventions
Tx: What is the 1st line drug treatment for depression?
SSRI: Fluoxetine