Grief
Grief
Important facts Risk of suicide is 2.5x greater in the first year of bereavement Particularly high risk at the anniversary of the death Death from physical illness is also increased…
Mental State Examination
Mental State Exam
Introduction A mental state examination (MSE) is an important part of a psychiatric assessment. It is often conducted during history taking with a patient - by making observation of the…
Drugs in medicine
Mood Stabilisers
Mood Stabilisers e.g. lithium, valproate, gabapentin, carbamazepine Mood stabilisers are mainly used to treat bipolar disorder although they may be used in lots of other psychiatric conditions. Lithium Lithium has…
Personality Disorders
Introduction Defined by ICD-10 and DSM – IV- TR as; Lifelong, persistent, deeply ingrained maladaptive behaviour that: characterizes an individual deviates markedly from culturally expected or accepted ‘normal’ range Onset…
Psychosis and Schizophrenia
Introduction Psychosis is an acute mental health state, resulting in delusional beliefs and hallucinations. It is commonly associated with Schizophrenia, although there can be several causes, including: Other mental health…
Quetiapine
Quetiapine is a commonly used atypical antipsychotic medication. Indications include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and acute delirium. Mechanism Dopamine, serotonin and adrenergic antagonist Antihistamine Binds very strongly to serotonin (5-HT)…
Serotonin Syndrome
Introduction Serotonin syndrome is an iatrogenic (caused by medical intervention) syndrome, that results from excess serotonin levels in the central and peripheral nervous system, typically as the result of the…
SSRIs – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Introduction Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, citalopram These are the most common used antidepressant. They are: Just as effective as TCAs in mild / moderate depression…
Suicide and self harm
Introduction 5000 deaths/year in the UK Increasing in young males In men <35, suicide is the greatest cause of death At all ages, men are at greater risk than women…