MENTAL HEALTH MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE
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Acute, PRN anxiety treatment: benzodiazepines
Severe major depressive disorder treatment: SSRIs, example: Sertraline (Zoloft)
Paroxetine is an SSRI, while Impiramine is a tricyclic antidepressant, they have different side
effects
Impiramine is a tricyclic antidepressant with anticholinergic side effects (dry mouth, blurred
vision, nasal congestion…urinary retention is a potentially dangerous one)
Priority interventions for major depressive disorder: any action that promotes safety, such as
observation, Always make sure patients are safe before anything else (no matter the diagnosis
really)
Know what anhedonia is
SSRIs therapy can result in increased suicidal thoughts at the beginning of treatment
Tyramine is found in foods that are fermented, processed and overripe such as: avocados,
bananas, smoked meats, sausages, cheese, yeast, caffeine drinks, and chocolate (memorize
these foods)
Phenelzine is an MAO inhibitor. This type of drug has a lot of interactions with other drugs, so
patients should consult their pharmacist before purchasing OTC meds
Signs of an effective treatment plan for depression: uninterrupted 6 hours of sleep, participates
in group activities, anticipates seeing family
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) month in which symptoms are most acute: January
Facial Expression with no emotion=Flat, “Life feels hopeless”= depressed mood
Escitalopram is an SSRI, it can take 1-3 weeks before symptoms relief begins
Know definition/examples of psychomotor agitation
Patients taking MAO inhibitors should avoid foods with tyramine because they can cause
hypertensive crisis
Before teaching coping strategies, ensure anxiety level is low
Know what body dysmorphic disorder is
Know definitions/examples of denial
Severe anxiety symptoms: nausea, dizziness, tachycardia, hyperventilation
Know definitions/examples of projection
Know definitions/examples of rationalization
Know definitions/examples of Altruism
Know definitions/examples of compensation
Know definitions/examples of reaction formation
Mild Anxiety symptoms: alertness, a little restlessness
Know definition/example of obsessive compulsive disorder
Alprazolam is a benzo, patients should avoid alcohol because depressant effects of both drugs
will be potentiated if taken together
Know definition/example of dissociative fugue
Highest risk in dissociative identity disorder is self-harm
Fight or flight is= sympathetic nervous system
Fireworks suck for soldiers with PTSD
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Dissociative identity disorder etiology: cognitive distortions associated with unresolved
childhood abuse issues
Highest suicide risk plan= something is highly lethal with little opportunity to rescue
Know your levels of prevention
Know what we use the SAD PERSONS scale for