Psychiatry Flashcards
(120 cards)
Mental state exam acronym?
ASEPTIC:
Appearance and behaviour
Speech
Emotion (mood and affect)
Perception
Thought (form and content)
Insight
Cognition
Screening tools for depression?
HAD scale
PHQ-9
Criteria for major (severe) depressive disorder?
≥ 5 depressive symptoms for ≥ 2 weeks
List core and additional features of depression?
Core = low mood, anhedonia, anergia
Insomnia
Weight change
Suicidal ideation
Psychosis
Conservative management options for depression?
Guided self-help
Mindfulness
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Drug options for depression?
1st line = SSRI (fluoxetine preferred)
2nd line = different SSRI
3rd line = SNRI, mirtazapine, MAOI, TCA
How long should antidepressants be continued after symptoms improve for first episode vs recurrent?
First = 6 months (minimum)
Recurrent = 2 years (minimum)
When should patients < 25 be reviewed after starting an antidepressant?
1 week
Poor prognostic factors in suicide risk assessment?
PMH self-harm/previous attempts
Other mental health disorders
Alcohol or illicit drug abuse
Planned attempt e.g. left a note
Lack of social support network
SSRI examples and mechanism of action?
Examples = fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, escitalopram, paroxetine
Mechanism of action = inhibits 5-HT re-uptake in the pre-synaptic terminal
List some SSRI side effects?
GI upset
Dizziness
Loss of libido
Dry mouth/blurry vision
SIADH → hyponatraemia
Medications SSRIs should not be taken with and why?
NSAIDs, anticoagulants, antiplatelets = bleeding risk
Serotonergic agents e.g. triptans = serotonin syndrome
Withdrawal regime for SSRIs?
Gradually reduce dose over 4 weeks
SSRI with longest half-life?
Fluoxetine
Only SSRI licensed for children?
Fluoxetine
SSRI used in patients with CVD?
Sertraline
SSRIs with low plasma:milk ratio?
Paroxetine
Sertraline
SSRIs most strongly linked to QT prolongation?
Citalopram
Escitalopram
Are SSRIs safe in pregnancy?
Generally, yes
→ risk of heart defects (1st trimester) and PPHN (3rd trimester)
→ paroxetine linked to congenital malformations (1st trimester)
List features of serotonin syndrome.
Tachycardia/tachypnea
Hyperhydrosis
Mydriasis
Tremor
Hyperreflexia
Myoclonus/clonus
SNRI examples and mechanism of action?
Examples = venlafaxine, duloxetine
Mechanism of action = inhibits 5-HT and NA re-uptake in the pre-synaptic terminal
TCA examples and mechanism of action?
Examples = amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine
Mechanism of action = inhibits 5-HT and NA re-uptake in the pre-synaptic terminal
Tetracyclic antidepressant example and mechanism of action?
Example = mirtazapine
Mechanism of action = blocks post-synaptic 5-HT and NA receptors
MAOIs examples and mechanism of action?
Examples = selegiline, phenelzine, isocarboxazid
Mechanism of action = prevents monoamine breakdown by monoamine oxidases