Syndromes

Question 1

Discontinuation of what anti-depressant causes flu-like symptoms, dizziness, insomnia, vivid dreams, irritability and sensory symptoms?

Answer 1

SSRIs (particularly paroxetine and venlafaxine)

Question 2

Discontinuation of what anti-depressant causes flu-like symptoms, insomnia and excessive dreaming?

Answer 2

TCAs (particularly amitripyline and imipramine)

Question 3

Discontinuation of what anti-depressant causes agitation, ataxia, movement disorders, insomnia and vivid dreams?

Answer 3

MAOIs

Question 4

SIADH can be caused by which drug type?

Answer 4

Anti-depressants

Question 5

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency are?

Answer 5

Tiredness, sadness, anhedonia and difficult getting up in the morning

Question 6

What is Couvade syndrome?

Answer 6

Conversion syndrome of expectant fathers, ie a ‘sympathetic pregnancy’. NOT A DELUSION - the person does not think they are pregnant

Question 7

What is Capgras syndrome?

Answer 7

Person believes that a familiar person has been replaced by an imposter ie. delusional misidentification syndrome

Question 8

What is Cotards syndrome?

Answer 8

Nihilistic delusions eg. May think they are dead

Question 9

What is Fregoli syndrome?

Answer 9

Patient falsely identifies familiar people in strangers ie. delusional misidentification syndrome

Question 10

What is a dissociative fugue?

Answer 10

Individual wanders far from home during which time they completely forget their past life and associations

Question 11

What is a dissociative stupor?

Answer 11

Profound diminution or absence of voluntary movement and normal responsiveness to external stimuli

Question 12

What is dissociative amnesia?

Answer 12

Loss of memory not due to organic mental disorder

Question 13

What is Ganser’s syndrome?

Answer 13

Clouding of consciousness, giving only approximate answers, somatic conversion features and pseudohallucinations

Question 14

What are the characteristics of narcolepsy?

Answer 14

Sleep attacks
Cataplexy (sudden brief loss of muscle tone)
Sleep paralysis
Hypnagogic or hypnopompic hallucinations

Question 15

What are the symptoms of REM sleep behavioural disorders?

Answer 15

Can show simple to complex behaviours whilst asleep such as running or singing. It occurs late at night and is accompanied by vivid dream recall.

Question 16

Positive prognostic indicators in schizophrenia include…

Answer 16

• Absence of a family history
• Acute onset with rapid recovery
• Period between onset and treatment is less than 6 months
• ‘Normal’ pre-morbid functioning and personality
• Presence of precipitating factors
• Presence of affective symptoms
• Good response to treatment
• Onset of first episode after age 30
• Absence of coexisting conditions such as substance use
• Female
• Cultural variation such as living in a rural community, living in a developing country

Question 17

What are the features of somatisation disorder?

Answer 17

At least two years of multiple and various physical symptoms with no adequate physical explanation
Persistent refusal to accept advice or reassurance from health professionals
Some degree of impairment in social or family functioning

Question 18

What are the features of hypochondriacal disorder?

Answer 18

Persistent belief in the presence of at least one serious physical illness underlying the presenting symptoms even though repeated investigations have identified no adequate explanation
Persistent refusal to accept the advice and reassurance of health professionals

Question 19

What are the features of somatoform pain disorder?

Answer 19

The predominant compliant is of persistent, severe and distressing pain that cannot be explained by a physiological process
Pain occurs in association with emotional conflict or psychosocial problems
Usually results in marked increase in support and attention

Question 20

What is Othello syndrome?

Answer 20

Delusion of infertility of a spouse or partner

Morbid jealousy

Associated with high rates of alcohol misuse and dependence

Question 21

What is de Clerambault’s syndrome?

Answer 21

The delusional idea (usually seen in women) that a person that they believe to be of higher social order or professional standing is in love with them

Otherwise known as erotomania.

Question 22

What is Ekbom’s syndrome?

Answer 22

Delusions of infestation and delusional parasites. Otherwise know an fornication.

Willis-Ekbom’s syndrome is also another name for restless legs syndrome

Question 23

What is Diogenes syndrome?

Answer 23

Characterised by severe neglect of self and surroundings, social isolation and domestic squalor.

Question 24

What is Munchausen’s syndrome?

Answer 24

Extreme form of factitious disorder (someone who deceives others by appearing sick) where a patient attends hospital with a false but plausible dramatic history suggesting an acute serious illness. Often deceive the staff of many different hospitals.

Question 25

What is Charles Bonnet syndrome?

Answer 25

Individual experience complex visual hallucinations in associated with impaired vision with demonstrable psychopathology or disturbance if consciousness

Question 26

What is Blocq’s disease?

Answer 26

Also known as astasis-abasia
Inability to walk or stand in a normal manner, gait is bizarre and not in keeping with organic causes. Often characterised by swaying and almost falling with recovery at the last moment
Usually seen in cases of severe stress

This is a type of CONVERSION DISORDER - ie transformation of a difficult emotional experience into physical symptoms

Question 27

What are the signs of Wernickes encephalopathy?

Answer 27

Opthalmoplegia - horizontal and vertical nystagmus, weakness of the lateral rectus muscle and the conjugate gaze

Ataxia - predominately affecting stance or gait and often without intention tremor

Confusion

Question 28

What are the common symptoms of Lewy body dementia?

Answer 28

Fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, falls, REM sleep disorder

Question 29

What is Intermetamorphosis?

Answer 29

Imposter syndrome - multiple people