Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Includes acute schizophrenia-like psychosis, acute delusional psychosis, and other acute and transient psychotic disorders
hallucinations:falseorimaginedperceptions,eghearingvoiceswhennooneisaround delusions:firmlyheldideasthatarefalseandnotsharedbyothersinthepatientssocial,culturalorethnicgroup,eg
Physicaldisordersthatcancausepsychoticsymptomsinclude:
druginducedpsychosisand alcoholichallucinosis Itisnotpossibletotellfromthesymptomsalonewhetherpsychiatricsymptomsaresubstanceinduced,whetherthe patienthasapsychoticdisorder,orbothasubstancemisuseandapsychoticdisorder.Checktheirpsychiatrichistory, keepanopenmind(eginateenageroryoungadult,asubstanceinducedpsychosismightbetheearlystagesof schizophrenia)andchartsymptomsovertime(see Comorbidity ,page191).Also: infectiousorfebrileillnessand epilepsy. SeeDeliriumF05forotherpotentialcauses(page41). ChronicpsychoticdisordersF20#:ifpsychoticsymptomsarerecurrentorchronic. BipolardisorderF31:ifthesymptomsofmania,egelevatedmood,racingspeechorthoughts,exaggeratedselfworth, areprominent. Depression(depressivepsychosis)F32#,ifdepressivedelusionsareprominent. Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Agitationandstrangebehaviourcanbesymptomsofamentalillness.
Acuteepisodesoftenhaveagoodprognosis, N2butthelongtermcourseoftheillnessisdifficulttopredictfromanacute
episode. Advisethepatientandmembersoftheprimarysupportgroupabouttheimportanceofmedication,howitworksandthe possiblesideeffects. Continuedtreatmentmaybeneededforseveralmonthsaftersymptomsresolve. IfthepatientrequirestreatmentundertheMentalHealthAct1983,advisethefamily ,ifpossible,abouttherelatedlegal issues(seeUseoftheMentalHealthAct ,page163). Advice and support of the patient and primary support group
Assesstherisksandconsiderwhetheramovetothehealthcarecentre(orestablishmentwithahealthcarecentre)is
indicated.Ifthereisasignificantriskofsuicide,violenceorneglect, closeobservationinasecureplaceortransfertoan NHShospitalmayberequired.ConsidertheuseoftheMentalHealthActfortransferespecially,butnotsolely,ifthe patientrefusestreatment. Orderaurinedrugscreenformedical(notdisciplinary)purposes(see Comorbidity ,page191). Ifitisdecidedthatitissafeforthepatienttoliveonanordinarylocation,seekpatientpermissiontoinvolvethe residentialmanagerandotherrelevantstaff(egworkshopmanager,teacher,chaplain)inimplementingamanagement plan,includingthelocation,activities,theearlyresponsetosignsofrelapseandthemonitoringofmedication.Discussthe following: Ensurethesafetyofthepatientandthosecaringforhim/her: Staff,listeners/buddies,familyorfriendsshouldbeavailableforthepatientifpossible. Ensurethatthepatientsbasicneeds(egfood,drink,accommodation)aremet. Minimisestressandstimulation,egreducingnoise,shouting,bullying,teasing. Donotarguewithpsychoticthinking (youmaydisagreewiththepatientsbeliefs,butdonottrytoarguethattheyare wrong). Avoidconfrontationorcriticism,unlessitisnecessarytopreventharmfulordisruptivebehaviour. N3Respondgently andwithreassurancetoslowresponsestoorders(egslownessingoingintocell).Useofcontrolandrestraintshouldbea lastresort. Encourageresumptionofnormalactivitiesaftersymptomsimprove. Theinformationsheetonmanagingdifficultbehaviour(psychosis)onthediskmaybehelpfultostaff. Especiallyifthepatientbecomesdepressed,consideroptionsforsupport,educationandreassuranceabouttheirpsychotic illness,includingpossiblerelapseandtheirfuturelifechances.Mentalhealthstaffmaybeabletoprovideindividual counselling,goalplanningandmonitoringofearlywarningsignsofrelapse. Referral and throughcare Referraltothesecondarymentalhealthservices shouldbemadeunderthefollowingconditions: asanemergency,iftheriskofsuicide,violenceorneglectisconsideredsignificant urgentlyforallfirstepisodestoconfirmthediagnosisandtoarrangecareplanningandtheappointmentofakeyworker. Specificinterventionsforpeopleexperiencingtheirfirstepisodeofpsychosis,includingspecificpsychoeducationofthe patientandprimarysupportgroup,shouldbedeveloped 5 forallrelapses,toreviewtheeffectivenessofthecareplan,unlessthereisanestablishedpreviousresponsetotreatment anditissafetomanagethepatientintheestablishment ifthereisnoncompliancewithtreatment,problematicsideeffects,failureofcommunitytreatmentorconcernsabout comorbiddrugandalcoholmisuse. Particularlyonrelapse,referralmaybetothecommunitymentalhealthteamortoamemberofit,suchasacommunity psychiatricnurse(CPN),aswellastoapsychiatrist(formoredetails,see ManagingtheinterfacewiththeNHSandother agencies,page149). Ifthereisfever,alteredconsciousness,rigidityand/orlabilebloodpressure,stoptheantipsychoticmedicationand referimmediatelytotheoncallphysicianforinvestigationofneurolepticmalignantsyndrome. Ifreleaseisplanned,workcooperativelywithprobationorthethroughcareplanningofficerstoensurethatappointments withageneralpractitionerandspecialistinmentalhealthcarearearrangedandthathousing,moneyforfood,clothesand heatingarearranged. Ifreleaseisnotplanned,informthelocalmentalhealthservicesthatthepatientmaypresenttoA&Eintheareaand advisethemtolookoutforhim/her(formoreinformationonreferralandthroughcare,see Managingtheinterfacewiththe NHSandotheragencies ,page149).
Medication
Presenting complaints
Anacutereactionusuallylastsfromafewdaystoseveralweeks. Differential diagnosis Acutesymptomsmaypersistorevolveovertime.Ifsignificantsymptomspersistformorethan1month,consideran alternativediagnosis. Ifsignificantsymptomsofdepressionpersist,seeDepressionF32#(page47). Ifsignificantsymptomsofanxietypersist,seeGeneralisedanxietyF41.1(page64). Ifsignificantsymptomsofbothdepressionandanxietypersist,see ChronicmixedanxietyanddepressionF41.2(page 33). Ifstressrelatedsomaticsymptomspersist,seeUnexplainedsomaticcomplaintsF45(page94). Ifsymptomsareduetoaloss,seeBereavementZ63(page23). Ifanxietyislonglastingandfocusedonmemoriesofaprevioustraumaticevent,see Posttraumaticstressdisorder F43.1(page82). Ifdissociativesymptoms(suddenonsetofunusualordramaticsomaticsymptoms)arepresent,see Dissociative (conversion)disorderF44 (page15). Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Stressfuleventsoftenhavementalandphysicaleffects.Theacutestateisanaturalreactiontoevents. Adjustmenttoimprisonmentiscommonlystressful(especiallyifthepatientisinprisonforthefirsttime,hasahigh
publicprofileorisasexualoffender)withunderstandableconcernsabouttheirfamilyandthecase. Stressrelatedsymptomsusuallylastonlyafewdaysorweeks. Allpeopleareaffectedbytheirenvironment.Symptomsarelikelytobefewerandlesspersistentiftheenvironmentcan beimproved(egareductioninthefearofbullying/assault,moretimeoutofthecell,contactwithfamily,accesstowork andopportunitiestobecreative). Advice and support of the patient and primary support group N11
Reviewandreinforcethepositivestepsthepatienthastakentodealwiththestress. Identifythestepsthepatientcantaketomodifythesituationthatproducedthestress.Thereisaproblemsolvingsheeton
thedisk.Ifthesituationiswithintheprison(egbullying),supportthepatientindealingwithit(egdiscussthe problemwithresidentialmanager,withpatientpermission).
Ifthesituationcannotbechanged,discusscopingstrategies.Explorewhetherthepatientisusingdestructivestrategies(eg
drugs,aggression,selfinjury).Encourageexercise,art,reading,workandcontactwithothers.Consideractingasthe patientsadvocatetoincreaseaccessto,forexample,suitableworkplacementsthatinvolvecontactwithsupportive people,artmaterialsandexercise. Ifthestressorisrecentimprisonmentitself,ensurethepatienthascopyofthe PrisonersInformationBook.Seethediskfora copyoftheJustImprisoned?leafletandtheResourcedirectory(page316)foragenciesthatoffersupport.Ifthepatient cannotread,advisehim/hertoapproachthepersonalofficerorlistener/buddywithquestions. Identifyrelatives,friends,staffandhelplinesabletooffersupport,eglistener/buddy,Samaritans,chaplainandpersonal officer. Shorttermrestandrelieffromstressmayhelpthepatient.Encourageareturntousualactivitieswithinafewweeks. Encouragethepatienttoacknowledgethepersonalsignificance ofthestressfulevent. Offeringafurtherconsultationwithamemberoftheprimarycareteamtoseehowthesituationdevelopscanbevaluable inhelpingthepatientthroughtheepisode. Medication Mostacutestressreactionswillresolvewithouttheuseofmedication.Skilledgeneralpractitioneradviceandreassuranceis aseffectiveasbenzodiazepines. N12However,ifsevereanxietysymptomsoccur,considerusingantianxietydrugsforupto 3days.Ifthepatienthassevereinsomnia,usehypnoticdrugsforupto3days.Dosesshouldbeaslowaspossible(see BNF, Sections4.1.1and4.1.2). Referral SeeReferralcriteriafornonurgentreferral (page152).Itisusuallyselflimiting.Routinereferraltothesecondarymental healthservicesisadvisedif: symptomspersistandgeneralreferralcriteriaaremetand youareunsureofthediagnosis. Considerrecommendingacounsellor,ifavailable,orvoluntary/nonstatutorycounselling 13services,ifavailable,inall othercaseswheresymptomspersist. Resources for patients and primary support groups Childline: 08001111(24hourfreephonehelpline) (Forchildrenandyoungpeopleintroubleordanger) CitizensAdviceBureau (seethelocaltelephonedirectory) (FreeadviceandinformationonSocialSecuritybenefits,housing,familyandpersonalmatters,moneyadvice,andother issues) Relate:01788573241 (Counsellingandpsychosexualtherapyforadultswithrelationshipdifficulties.Foragenciesthatprovideopportunities forcreativeactivityinprisons,seetheResourcedirectory,page316) SamaritansHelpline:08457909090 (24hours,7daysperweek) (Supportbylisteningforthosefeelinglonely,despairingorsuicidal) VictimSupport:08453030900(supportline:MondayFriday,9am9pm;SaturdayandSunday,9am7pm;Bank Holidays,9am5pm) (Emotionalandpracticalsupportforvictimsofcrime) UKRegisterofCounsellors:08704435232 (ProvidesthenamesandaddressesofBACPaccreditedcounsellors) Resourceleaflets: ReactionstoTraumaticStress:WhatToExpect GettingaGoodNightsSleep
Harmfulalcoholuse:
heavyalcoholuse(eg>28unitsperweekformen,>21unitsperweekforwomen) overuseofalcoholhascausedphysicalharm (egliverdisease,gastrointestinalbleeding),psychologicalharm(eg depressionoranxietyduetoalcohol)orhasledto harmfullegalconsequences (egimprisonment). Alcoholdependence:presentwhenthreeormoreofthefollowingarepresent: Astrongdesireorcompulsiontousealcohol. Difficultycontrollingalcoholuse. Withdrawalsymptoms(egagitation,tremors,sweating,nausea,headache)evenwhendrinkingisceased. Tolerance, egdrinkslargeamountsofalcoholwithoutappearingintoxicated. Continuedalcoholusedespiteharmfulconsequences. Bloodtestssuchasglutamyltransferase(GGT)andmeancorpuscularvolume(MCV)canhelpidentifyheavydrinkers. AdministeringtheAUDITquestionnairemayalsohelpdiagnosis.IfAUDIT>8,useoftheSeverityofAlcoholDependence Questionnaire(SADQ)canhelpidentifytheseverityofdependence.CopiesoftheAUDITandSADQareonthedisk. Differential diagnosis Symptomsofanxietyordepressionmayoccurwithheavyalcoholuse.Alcoholusecanalsomaskotherdisorders,egsocial phobiaandgeneralisedanxietydisorder.Assessandmanagesymptomsofdepressionoranxietyifthesymptomscontinue afteraperiodofabstinence(seeDepressionF32# orAnxietyF41.1,pages47and33). Drugmisusemayalsocoexistwiththeseconditions. Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Insomecasesofharmfulalcoholusewithoutdependenceorwherethepatientisunwillingtoquit,controlledorreduced
drinkingisareasonablegoalbutmayonlybepursuedafterrelease. Relapsesarecommon.Controllingorceasingdrinkingoftenrequiresseveralattempts.Theoutcomedependsonmany factors,includingthemotivationandconfidenceofthepatient,theoffendingbehaviour,polydruguse,theirmoodor othermentaldisorder. Advice and support to the patient and primary support group 15 Forallpatients: Discussthebenefitsandcostsofdrinking(includingthelinksbetweendrinkingandoffending)fromthepatients perspective. Givefeedbackinformationaboutthehealthrisks,includingtheresultsofGGTandMCV. Emphasisethepersonalresponsibilityforchange. Giveclearadvicetochange. Assessandmanageanyphysicalhealthproblemsandnutritionaldeficiencies(egvitaminB,thiamine). Considertheoptionsforproblemsolvingortargetedcounsellingtodealwithlifeproblemsrelatedtoalcoholuse. Ifthereisnoevidenceofphysicalharmduetodrinkingorifthepatientisunwillingtoquit,acontrolleddrinking programmeisareasonablegoalifthepatientisabouttobereleased: Negotiateacleargoalfordecreaseduse(egnomorethanacertainnumberofdrinksperday,withacertainnumberof alcoholfreedaysperweek). Discussstrategiestoavoidorcopewithhighrisksituations(egrelease,socialsituationsandstressfulevents). Introduceselfmonitoringprocedures(egadrinkingdiary)andasaferdrinkingbehaviour(egtimerestrictions, decelerationofdrinking). Forpatientswithphysicalillnessand/ordependencyorfailedattemptsatcontrolleddrinking,anabstinenceprogrammeis indicated. Forpatientswillingtostopnow: Discussthesymptoms,risksofdetoxificationandmanagementofalcoholwithdrawal(especiallyiftheyhavenoprevious experienceofdetoxification). Discussthestrategiestoavoidorcopewithhighrisksituations(egrelease,socialsituationsandstressfulevents). Makespecificplanstoavoiddrinking(egwaystofacestressfuleventswithoutalcohol,waystorespondtofriendswho stilldrink). Helppatientstoidentifyfamilymembersorfriendswhowillsupportceasingalcoholuse. Consideroptionsforsupportafterwithdrawal. Forpatientsnotwillingtostoporreducenowandwhoareabouttobereleased,aharmreductionprogrammeisindicated: Donotrejectorblame. Clearlypointoutthemedical,legalandsocialproblemscausedbyalcohol. Considerthiaminepreparations. Makeafutureappointmentwiththegeneralpractitioner/primarycaretoreassesstheirhealthandalcoholuse. Forpatientswhodonotsucceedorwhorelapseortransfertousingadifferentdrugwhileinprison: Identifyandgivecreditforanysuccess. Discussthesituationsthatledtorelapse. Returntoearlierstepsabove. Selfhelporganisations(egAlcoholicsAnonymous),voluntaryandnonstatutoryagenciesareoftenhelpful. 16 Medication
Patientsatriskofacomplicatedwithdrawalsyndrome(egwithahistoryoffitsordeliriumtremens,ahistoryofvery
heavyuseandhightolerance,significantpolydruguse,severecomorbidmedicalorpsychiatricdisorder)orarea significantsuicideriskmayrequireatransfertoanNHShospital. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium),10mg,isrecommended.Theinitialdoseshouldbetitratedagainstwithdrawalsymptoms, withinarangeof540mgfourtimesperday.(See BNFsection4.10.)Thisrequiresclose,skilledsupervision. Thefollowingregimeniscommonlyused,althoughthedoselevelandlengthoftreatmentwilldependontheseverityof alcoholdependenceandindividualpatientfactors(egweight,sex,liverfunction): Days1and2: 2030mgQDS Days3and4: 15mgQDS Day5: 10mgQDS Day6: 10mgBD Day7: 10mgnocte Chlormethiazoleisnotrecommendedforcravingordetoxificationunderanycircumstances. 18 Dispensingshouldbedosebydoseandsupervisedtopreventtheriskofmisuseoroverdose. Thiamine(150mgday1individeddoses)shouldbegivenorallyfor1month. 19Asoralthiamineispoorlyabsorbed, transferthepatientimmediatelytoA&Eforparenteralsupplementationifany oneofthefollowingispresent:ataxia, confusion,memorydisturbance,deliriumtremens,hypothermiaandhypotension,opthalmoplegia,orunconsciousness. ThesemayindicatetheonsetofWernickesencephalopathy. Dailyobservationisessentialinthefirstfewdays,thenitisadvisablethereaftertoadjustthedoseofthemedication,to checkforseriouswithdrawalsymptomsandtomaintainsupport. Anxietyanddepressionoftencooccurwithalcoholmisuse.Thepatientmayhavebeenusingalcoholtoselfmedicate.If symptomsofanxietyordepressionincreaseorremainafteranabstinenceofmorethan1month,see DepressionF32# orGeneralisedanxietyF41.1 (pages47and64).Selectiveserotoninreuptakeinhibitor(SSRI)antidepressantsare preferredtotricyclics(TCAs)becauseoftheriskoftricyclicalcoholinteractions(fluoxetine,paroxetineandcitalopramdo notinteractwithalcohol)(seeBNF,Section4.3.3).Foranxiety,benzodiazepinesshouldbeavoidedbecauseoftheirhigh potentialforabuse 20(seeBNF,Section4.1.2). Forfurtherinformationonalcoholdetoxification,seeDrugMisuseandDependenceGuidelinesonClinicalManagement .21 Forinformationonbriefinterventionsforpeoplewhosedrinkingbehaviourputsthematriskofbecomingdependent,see BriefInterventionGuidelines.22 Referral Considerreferral: totheDetoxificationUnitifthepatientisdependentuponalcohol toinvolvetheinhouseorsecondarymentalhealthservicesinadditionifthepatienthasanassociatedmajorpsychiatric disorder,orifthesymptomsofmentalillnesspersistafterdetoxificationandabstinence forcounsellingtargetedatproblemsassociatedwith/triggeringdrinkingandrelapsepreventionwork,ifavailable. Beforerelease: Ifpossible,arrangeforongoingrehabilitationsupportinthecommunity.Ifitisavailable,specificsocialskillstraining N23 (whichaimstoimprove,forexample,relationshipskillsandassertiveness)andcommunitybasedtreatmentpackages N24 (whichprovidehelpwithfindingajobandsociallife)bothmaybeeffectiveinreducingdrinking. Referpatientswithamentalillnesswhoaremisusingalcoholandwhoexpresssomemotivationtoreducetheirusetoa specialistNHSalcoholservice,amentalhealthserviceorboth.Ideally,carewillbeprovidedbyateamskilledintreating bothmentalillnessandsubstanceabuse. 25Ifeitherthepsychiatricorsubstancemisuseproblemappearstopredominate, referinitiallytothatservice.Maketherationaleclearintheletter/fax.Ifbothtypesofdisorderareofequalsignificance, thennegotiatewithbothagenciesaboutthepreferredinitialreferralroute.Itmaybethattheindividualwillrequire supportandinputbybothagencies.Someagenciescanprovideservicesjointly.Liaisewiththeservicetoensure continuedprescriptionofpsychotropicmedication,ifappropriate. Stresstothepatientthatrelapsesaretobeexpected,arenotsignsoffailureandwillnotmeanalossofyoursupportand respect. SeeComorbidity(page191). Resources for patients and primary support groups AlAnonFamilyGroupsUKandEire:02074030888(helpline:MondayFriday,10am10pm);01412217356
(Supportforfamiliesandfriendsofalcoholicswhetherstilldrinkingornot).Also: Alateen:foryoungpeopleaged1220affectedbyothersdrinking AlcoholicsAnonymous:08457697555(24hourhelpline) (HelplinereferstotelephonesupportnumbersandselfhelpgroupsacrosstheUK,formenandwomentryingtoachieve andmaintainsobriety) Drinkline:08009178282(freephonenationalalcoholhelpline:MondayFriday,9am11pm;SaturdayandSunday,6 pm11pm) Thefollowingorganisationsprovideleafletstosupportbriefinterventionsforpeopleatriskofbecomingdependenton alcohol: AlcoholFocusScotland:01415726700 HealthEducationBoardforScotland: 01315365500 HealthPromotionEngland:02077259030 NorthernIrelandCommunityAddictionService: 02890664434 SecularOrganisationsforSobriety(SOS): 02086989332 (Nonreligiousselfhelpgroup)
Bereavement Z63
Presenting complaints Anacutegriefreactionisanormal,understandablereactiontoloss.Thepatient: feelsoverwhelmedbyloss ispreoccupiedwiththelostlovedoneand maypresentwithsomaticsymptomsfollowingloss. Griefmaybeexperiencedonthelossofalovedoneandalsowithothersignificantlosses(egthelossofachildtakeninto care,ajob,lifestyleorlimb,thebreakdownofarelationship).Itmayprecipitateorexacerbateotherpsychiatricconditions andmaybecomplicated,delayedorincomplete,leadingtoseeminglyunrelatedproblemsyearsaftertheloss. Diagnostic features Normalgriefincludespreoccupationwiththelossofthelovedone.However,thismaybeaccompaniedbysymptoms resemblingdepression,suchas: loworsadmood disturbedsleep lossofinterest guiltorselfcriticism restlessness guiltaboutactionsnottakenbythepersonbeforethedeathofthelovedone seeingthedeceasedpersonorhearingtheirvoice thoughtsofjoiningthedeceased. Thepatientmay: withdrawfromtheirusualactivitiesandsocialcontacts finditdifficulttothinkofthefutureand increasetheiruseofdrugs. Differential diagnosis DepressionF32#.Bereavementisaprocess.Ahelpfulmodelistothinkoffourtaskstobecompletedbythebereaved person: acceptingtherealityofthelossthepatientmayfeelnumb experiencingthepainofgrief adaptingtotheworldwithoutthedeceasedand lettinggoofthedeceasedandmovingon. Considerdepressionif: thepersonbecomesstuckatanypointintheprocess afullpictureofdepressionisstillpresent2monthsafterthelossor therearesignsthatthegriefisbecomingabnormal(severedepressivesymptomsofretardation,guilt,feelingsof worthlessness,hopelessnessorsuicidalideationofaseverityordurationthatsignificantlyinterfereswithdailyliving). Thereisahigherriskofanabnormalgriefreactionunderthefollowingcircumstances:wherethebereavedpersonissocially isolatedorhasahistoryofdepressionoranxiety;wherethebereavedkilledthedeadpersonortheirrelationshipwas ambivalentinotherways;wherethedeadpersonwasachild;andwherethedeathwasviolent,occurredbysuicideor occurredsuddenlyintraumaticcircumstances(especiallyifthebodyisnotpresent). Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Informpatientswhohavelostorfearlosingachildtothecaresystemofagenciesthatofferadviceandsupport(see
FoundationfortheStudyofInfantDeaths(FSID):02072332090(24hourhelpline) Papyrus:01706214449 RosendaleGH,UnionRoad,Rawtenstall,RosendaleBB46NE (Referstosupportgroupsforparentsofyoungpeoplewhohavecommittedsuicide) StillBirthandNeonatalDeathSociety(SANDS): 02074365881(MondayWednesday,Friday,10am3pm) (Information,emotionalandphysicalsupporttoparentswhohavelostababy) TalkAdoption:08088081234(nationalhelpline:MondayFriday,3pm9pm);(confidentialemail: helpline@talkadoption.org.uk) (Foryoungpeopleunder25whohavechildrenwhohavebeenormaybeadoptedorhavebeenadoptedthemselves)
AlcoholmisuseF10orDrugusedisorderF11(pages18and55)cancausesimilarsymptoms. Antisocialpersonalitydisorder:itcanbedifficulttoassessmoodifthepatientspremorbidpersonalityisnotknown.If
possible,obtaininformationfromtheirrelatives,stafforformergeneralpractitioner. Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Ifitisdecidedthatitissafeforthepatienttoliveonordinarylocation,seekpatientpermissiontoinvolvetheresidential
managerandotherrelevantstaff(egworkshopmanager,teacher,chaplain)inimplementingamanagementplan, includingthelocation,activities,signsoflithiumtoxicityandplannedresponsetorelapseormoodswings.Informstaff thatbipolardisordercarriesthehighestsuicideriskofallmentaldisorders. Duringdepression,assesstheriskofsuicide.(Hasthepatientfrequentlythoughtofdeathordying?Doesthepatienthave aspecificsuicideplan?Hashe/shemadeserioussuicideattemptsinthepast?Canthepatientbesurenottoacton suicidalideas?)Closesupervisionbystaffmaybeneeded.Askabouttheriskofharmtoothers(see DepressionF32# andAssessingandmanagingpeopleatriskofsuicide ,pages47and204). Duringmanicperiods:
avoidconfrontationunlessnecessarytopreventharmfulordangerousacts advisestaffthataggressionmaybeasignoftheillnessandtoavoidautomaticuseofdisciplinaryaction assesstheriskofviolence(seeAssessingriskofviolencein Aggression, page282) advisecautionaboutimpulsiveordangerousbehaviour closeobservationbystaffisoftenneeded ifagitationordisruptivebehaviouraresevere,transfertoaprisonhealthcarecentreorNHShospitalmayberequired. Duringdepressedperiods,consultthemanagementguidelinesfordepression(see DepressionF32#,page47). Describetheillnessandthepossiblefuturetreatmentstothepatient. Encouragestafftoreferthepatientwhensignsofdepressionarise,evenifthepatientisreluctant. Workwiththepatientandstafftoidentifyearlywarningsymptomsofmoodswingstoavoidamajorrelapse. Forpatientsabletoidentifyearlysymptomsofaforthcominghigh,advise: ceasingtheconsumptionoftea,coffeeandothercaffeinebasedstimulants avoidingstimulatingorstressfulsituations planningforagoodnightssleep takingrelaxingexerciseduringtheday,eggymorrelaxationexerciseinthecell avoidtakingmajordecisionsor ifrelevant,takingstepstolimitcapacitytospendmoney. 28 Medication
Ifthepatientdisplaysagitation,excitementordisruptivebehaviour,antipsychoticmedicationmaybeneededinitially 29
(seeBNF,Section4.2)(eghaloperidol, 1.54mguptothreetimesperday).Thedosesshouldbethelowestpossibleforthereliefofsymptoms, 30althoughsome patientsmayrequirehigherdoses.Ifantipsychoticmedicationcausesacutedystonicreactions(egmusclespasms)or markedextrapyramidalsymptoms(egstiffnessortremors),antiParkinsonianmedication(see BNF,Section4.9),eg procyclidine,5mgorallyuptothreetimesperday,maybehelpful.Routineuseisnotnecessary. Benzodiazepinesmayalsobeusedintheshortterminconjunctionwithantipsychoticmedicationtocontrolacute agitationanddisturbance 31(seeBNF,Section4.1.2).Examplesincludediazepam(510mguptofourtimesperday)or lorazepam(12mguptofourtimesperday).Ifrequired,diazepamcanbegivenrectally,orlorazepamIM(althoughit mustbekeptrefrigerated). Lithiumcanhelprelievemania 32anddepression, 33andcanpreventepisodesfromrecurring. 34Oneusually commencesorstopstakinglithiumonlywithspecialistadvice.Somegeneralpractitionersareconfidentaboutrestarting lithiumtreatmentafterarelapse.Alternativemoodstabilisingmedicationsincludecarbamazepineandsodiumvalproate.If usedintheacutephase,lithiumtakesseveraldaystoshoweffects.Iflithiumisprescribed: thereshouldbeaclearagreementbetweenthereferringgeneralpractitionerandthespecialistaboutwhoismonitoring thelithiumtreatment.Lithiummonitoringisideallycarriedoutusinganagreedprotocol.Ifcarriedoutinprimarycare, monitoringshouldbedonebyasuitablytrainedperson thelevelsoflithiuminthebloodshouldbemeasuredfrequentlywhenadjustingthedose,andevery3monthsinstable patients1014hourspostdose(desiredbloodlevelis0.40.8mmoll1).N35Ifbloodlevelsare>1.5orthereisdiarrhoea andvomiting,stopthelithiumimmediately. Ifthereareothersignsoflithiumtoxicity(egtremors,diarrhoea,vomiting, nausea,confusion),stopthelithiumandcheckthebloodlevel.Renalandthyroidfunctionshouldbecheckedevery23 monthswhenadjustingthedose,andevery6monthsto1yearinstablepatients. 36 Neverstoplithiumabruptly (exceptinthepresenceoftoxicity)relapseratesaretwiceashighunderthese conditions. 37Lithiumshouldbecontinuedforatleast6monthsaftersymptomsresolve(longertermuseisusually necessarytopreventrecurrences). Ifthepatientisonordinarylocation,ensurethataresidentialmanagerand,ifthepatientgoestothegymfrequently, thephysicaleducationstaffareawareofthesignsoflithiumtoxicity.Theleafletonlithiumtoxicityonthediskmaybe helpful. Antidepressantmedicationisoftenneededduringphasesofdepressionbutcanprecipitatemaniawhenusedalone(see DepressionF32#,page47).Bupropionmaybelesslikelythanotherantidepressantstoinducemania. 38Dosesshould beaslowaspossibleandusedfortheshortesttimenecessary.Ifthepatientbecomeshypomanic,stoptheantidepressant. Referral Referraltotheinhouseorsecondarymentalhealthservicesisadvised: asanemergencyifthepatientisveryvulnerable,egifthereissignificantriskofsuicideordisruptivebehaviouror urgentlyifsignificantdepressionormaniacontinuesdespitetreatment.
Nonurgentreferralisrecommended: forallnewpatientsforassessment,careplanningandallocationofkeyworkerundertheCareProgrammeApproach beforestartinglithium todiscussrelapsepreventionand forwomenonlithiumplanningapregnancy. Whereapatientisdiagnosedwithbipolardisorderforthefirsttime,informhis/hersolicitor,withpatientpermission,asthe illnessmayhaverelevancetotheoffence. Ifreleaseisplanned,workcooperativelywithbothprobationorthroughcareplanningofficerstoensurethat appointmentswithageneralpractitionerandspecialistmentalhealthcarearearranged,andthathousing,moneyforfood, clothesandheatingarearranged. SeeManagingtheinterfacewiththeNHSandotheragencies (page149)formoreinformationonreferraland throughcare. Resources for patients and primary support groups ManicDepressionFellowship:02077932600 (Advice,support,localselfhelpgroupsandpublicationslistforpeoplewithmanicdepressiveillness) ManicDepressionFellowship(Scotland):01414001867 Resourceleaflets: LithiumToxicity InsideOut:AGuidetoSelfManagementofManicDepression .Availablefrom:ManicDepressionFellowship,CastleWorks, 21StGeorgesRoad,LondonSE16ES MaryEllenCopeland.LivingWithoutDepressionandManicDepression:AWorkbookforMaintainingMoodStability .USA: NewHarbinger.11.95Oakland2001
Diagnostic features
Manymedicaldisorderscancausefatigue. Afullhistoryandphysicalexaminationarenecessary,whichcanbe
reassuringforthedoctorandtherapeuticforthepatient.Basicinvestigationsincludeafullbloodcount,erythrocyte sedimentationrate(ESR)orCRP,thyroidfunctiontests,ureaandelectrolytes,liverfunctiontests,bloodsugarandC reactiveprotein.Amedicaldisordershouldbesuspectedwherethereis: anyabnormalphysicalfinding,egweightloss anyabnormallaboratoryfinding unusualfeaturesofthehistory,egrecentforeigntravel,orthepatientisveryyoungorveryoldor symptomsoccurringonlyafterexertionandunaccompaniedbyanyfeaturesofmentalfatigue. DepressionF32#(page47)ifaloworsadmoodisprominent. ChronicmixedanxietyanddepressionF41.2(page33). PanicdisorderF41.1(page67)ifanxietyattacksareprominent. UnexplainedsomaticcomplaintsF45(page94)ifunexplainedphysicalsymptomsareprominent. Depressionandanxietymaybesomatised.Social,relationshiporotherlifeproblemsmaycauseorexacerbatedistress. Postviralfatiguesyndromeandbenignmyalgicencephalomyelitis (classifiedunderG93.3Neurologicaldisorders)are diagnosedwherethereisexcessivefatiguefollowingaviraldiseaseandthesymptomsdonotfulfilthecriteriaforF48.0. Fatiguesyndromes,bothchronicandnot,bothwithandwithoutanestablishedphysicalprecursor,maybeclassified underF48.0Neurasthenia.Inpractice,thereisextensiveoverlapinsymptoms(upto96%).Thechoiceofcodingreflects differentrecordingpracticesanduncertaintyabouttheaetiologyofthesesyndromes.Althoughclassificationis controversial,treatmentissimilarwhateverchoiceismadeaboutcoding. Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Periodsoffatigueorexhaustionarecommonandareusuallytemporaryandselflimiting.
Treatmentformildtomoderatefatiguesyndromeispossibleandusuallyhasgoodresults,althoughtheoutcomefor
fatiguesyndromethatissevereandchronicismorevariable. 40 Advice and support to the patient and primary support group
Explorewhatthepatientthinkshis/hersymptomsmean.Offerappropriateexplanationsandreassurance(egsymptoms
aregenuinelydisablingandnotallinthemindbutthatsymptomsfollowingexertiondonotmeanphysicaldamageand longtermdisability). Adviseagradualreturntousualactivities.Thismaytaketime. Thepatientcanbuildendurancewithaprogrammeofgraduallyincreasingphysicalactivity.Startwithamanageable levelandincreasealittleeachweek. Emphasisepleasantorenjoyableactivities.Encouragethepatienttoresumeactivitiesthathavehelpedinthepast. Discusssleeppatterns.Encouragearegularsleeproutineandavoiddaytimesleep(see Sleepproblems[insomnia] F51,page91). Avoidexcessiverestand/orsuddenchangesinactivity. Severechronicfatigueislesscommonthanuncomplicatedchronicfatigue.Inseverechronicfatigue,abehavioural approach,includingcognitivebehaviouraltherapyand/oracautiousgradedprogrammeofexerciseandassessmentofand assistancewithactivitiesofdailyliving,canbehelpful. 41,42Ideally,thiswouldtakeplaceinaprimarycaresettingusing clinicalpsychologists,nursepractitioners,practicecounsellors,physiotherapists,occupationaltherapistsorothersuitably trainedpractitioners. Medication
Todate,nopharmacologicaltreatmentforchronicfatiguehasbeenestablished. 43 Depressionandanxietyarecommoninseverechronicfatigueandmayrespondtopharmacologicaltreatment.Intreating
depression,selectiveserotoninreuptakeinhibitors(SSRIs)(see BNF,Section4.3.3)maybeneutraloractivating,and tricyclicantidepressants(TCAs)(seeBNF,Section4.3.1)atfulldosagemaybesedating. Intheabsenceofdepression,considerlowdosetricyclicantidepressants(egamitriptyline,50100mgday1,or imipramine,20mgday1)(seeBNF,Section4.3.1),whichmaybeeffectiveforpainandpoorsleep. 44,45 Referral SeeGeneralreferralcriteria (page152). Considerreferraltoaphysicianifthegeneralpractitionerisuncertainaboutdiagnosis(see Differentialdiagnosisabove). Referraltothesecondarymentalhealthservicesoraliaisonpsychiatrist,ifavailable,shouldbeconsideredifthereare: comorbidmentaldisorders,egeatingdisorderorbipolardisorder asignificant riskofsuicide(seeAssessingandmanagingpeopleatriskofsuicide ,page204)or noimprovementdespitetheabovemeasures. Resources for patients and primary support groups InstituteofPsychiatrys website(URL:http://www.kcl.ac.uk/cfs)includesafullpatientmanagementpackageforthe moreseveresymptomsofchronicfatiguesyndrome.Itincludesinformationaboutthedisorderandsuggestionstoaid selfmanagement.Itisausefulresourceforthepractitionerwhoisworkingwiththepatienttoovercomethecondition TrudieChalder.CopingwithChronicFatigue .1995Sheldon,London.Selfhelpmanualshowntoimprovetheoutcomein primarycarepatientswithchronicfatigue MSharpe,FCampling.ChronicFatigueSyndrome:TheFacts.Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,2000.Selfhelpadvicefor moreseveresymptoms ForareviewoftheevidenceforthefullrangeoftreatmentsforCFS/ME,seeBagnallAM,WhitingT,WrightJ,Sowden AJ.TheEffectivenessofInterventionsUsedintheTreatment/ManagementofCFSand/orMyalgicEncephalomyelitisinAdultsand Children.York:NHSCentreforReviewsandDissemination,UniversityofYork,2001.URL: http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/cfsrep.pdf
Differential diagnosis
Ifmoreseveresymptomsofdepressionoranxietyarepresent,see DepressionF32#orGeneralisedanxiety41.1
(pages47and64). Ifsomaticsymptomspredominate,whichdonotappeartohaveanadequatephysicalexplanation,see UnexplainedsomaticcomplaintsF45 (page94). Ifthepatienthasahistoryofmanicepisodes(egexcitement,elevatedmood,rapidspeech),see BipolardisorderF31 (page26). Ifthepatientisorhasrecentlybeendrinkingheavilyorusingdrugs,see AlcoholmisuseF10andDrugusedisorders F11#(pages18and55). Unexplainedsomaticcomplaints,alcoholordrugdisordersmayalsocoexistwithmixedanxietyanddepression. Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Stressorworryhavemanyphysicalandmentaleffectsandmayberesponsibleformanyoftheirsymptoms.Symptoms
arelikelytobeattheirworstattimesofpersonalstress.Aimtohelpthepatienttoreducehis/hersymptoms. Theseproblemsarenotduetoweaknessorlaziness:patientsaretryingtocope. Regularstructuredvisitscanbehelpfulstatetheirfrequencyandincludearrangedvisitstootherprofessionals(to assesstheprogressofanyphysicaldisorderandgiveanyadviceonhandlinglifestresses). Advice and support to the patient and primary support group
Discusswaystoquestiontheseexaggeratedworrieswhentheyoccur,eg Iamstartingtobecaughtupinworryagain.Myvisitorisonlyafew minuteslate.Hewillprobablybeheresoon. Structuredproblemsolvingmethods 48canhelppatientstomanagecurrentlifeproblemsorstressesthatcontributeto anxietysymptoms.Supportthepatienttocarryoutthefollowingsteps: Identifyingeventsthattriggerexcessiveworry.(Forexample,ayoungwomanpresentswithworry,tension,nausea andinsomnia.Thesesymptomsbeganaftershelearnedthathersonhadbeenbehavingbadlyinschoolfollowingher conviction). Listingasmanypossiblesolutionsasthepatientcanthinkof,egdiscussingherconcernswithaclosefriendorrelative, applyingforanextendedfamilyvisit,writingtohersonsgeneralpractitioner,contactingavoluntaryorganisationthat helpsfamiliesofprisoners. Listingtheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofeachpossiblesolution.(Thepatientshoulddothis,perhapsbetween appointments). Choosinghis/herpreferredapproach. Workingoutthestepsnecessarytoachievetheplan. Settingadatetoreviewtheplan.Identifyandreinforcethingsthatareworking. Helpthepatientplanactivitiesthatarerelaxing,distractingorconfidencebuilding.Exercisemaybehelpful. 49,50If necessary,consideradvocatingforimprovedaccesstoappropriateactivities. Assesstheriskofsuicide.(Hasthepatientthoughtfrequentlyaboutdeathordying?Doesthepatienthaveaspecific suicideplan?Hashe/shemadeserioussuicideattemptsinthepast?Canthepatientbesurenottoactonsuicidalideas?) SeeAssessingandmanagingpeopleatriskofsuicide (page204). Encourageselfhelpbooks,tapesand/orleafletsifappropriate. 51Ifthepatienthasreadingdifficulties,amemberofthe healthcareteamoranothermemberofstaffmaybeabletodiscussthecontentsoftheleaflets ManagingDepression and ManagingAnxiety(whichareonthedisk)withhim/her.
Medication
Medicationshouldbesimplified:itshouldbereviewedperiodicallyandthepatientshouldonlybeprescribedadrugifit Anantidepressantwithsedativepropertiescanbeprescribedifmarkedsymptomsofdepressionoranxietyarepresent,
isdefinitelyhelping.Multiplepsychotropicsshouldbeavoided. butwarnofdrowsiness N52(seeBNF,Section4.3)Fortheseveritythresholdforinitiatingantidepressantsandforspecific guidanceonthesedrugs,seeDepressionF32#(page47). Hypericumperforata(knownasStJohnsWortandavailablefromhealthfoodstores)isoftentakenformildandmoderate symptomsofdepression. 53Ithasmildmonoamineoxidaseinhibitory(MAOI)properties, 54soitshouldnotbecombined withotherantidepressantsandcautionmayintheorybeneededwithdiet. N55Hypericumisanactiveagentand interactionswithprescribeddrugsmayoccur.Forfurtherinformation,seetheadvicefromtheCommitteeforSafetyof Medicines. N56 Referral SeeGeneralreferralcriteria (page152). Referraltoinhouseorsecondarymentalhealthservicesisadvised: ifthesuicideriskissignificant(seeAssessingandmanagingpeopleatriskofsuicide,page204)or nonurgentlyforpsychologicaltreatments,asavailable. Considerrecommendingvoluntary/nonstatutory/selfhelporganisations.Stress/anxietymanagement,N57problemsolving,N58 cognitivetherapy,59cognitivebehaviouraltherapyN60orcounselling 13maybehelpfulandmaybeprovidedinprimarycareorthe voluntarysector,aswellasinthesecondarymentalhealthservices.
Resources for patients and primary support groups Formoreresources,seeDepressionF32# andGeneralisedanxietyF41.1 (pages47and64). Listeners/buddies,chaplain,theSamaritans CITA(CouncilforInvoluntaryTranquilliserAddiction):01519490102(MondayFriday,10am1pm) CavendishHouse,BrightonRoad,Waterloo,Liverpool
(Confidentialadviceandsupport) Samaritans:08457909090(24hour,7daysperweekhelpline) (Supportbylisteningforthosefeelinglonely,despairingorsuicidal) Resourceleaflets: ManagingAnxiety ManagingDepression HelpingYouCope:AGuidetoStartingandStoppingTranquillisersandSleepingTablets .Availablefrom:MentalHealth Foundation,UKOffice,20/21CornwallTerrace,LondonNW14QL.Tel:02075357400;Fax:02075357474; Email:mhf@mhf.org.uk;URL:http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Includes schizophrenia, schizotypal disorder, persistent delusional disorders, induced delusional disorder and other non-organic psychotic disorders
Presenting complaints Patientsmaypresentwith: difficultieswiththinkingorconcentration reportsofhearingvoices strangebeliefs,eghavingsupernaturalpowersorbeingpersecuted extraordinaryphysicalcomplaints,eghavinganimalsorunusualobjectsinsideonesbody poorhygiene problemsinmanaginglifeinprison,work,educationorrelationships selfharm foodrefusal(mayhavedelusionsthatfoodisbeingpoisoned)or problemsorquestionsrelatedtoantipsychoticmedication. Stafforasolicitormayseekhelpbecauseofapathy,withdrawal,poorhygieneorstrangebehaviour. Diagnostic features
Chronicproblemswiththefollowingfeatures:
socialwithdrawal lowmotivation,interestorselfneglector disorderedthinking(exhibitedbystrangeordisjointedspeech). Periodicepisodesof: agitationorrestlessness bizarrebehaviour hallucinations(falseorimaginedperceptions,eghearingvoices)or delusions(firmbeliefsthatareoftenfalse,egthepatientisrelatedtoroyalty,receivingmessagesfromthetelevision, beingfollowedorpersecuted). Differential diagnosis
DepressionF32#(page47)ifaloworsadmood,pessimismand/orfeelingsofguilt. BipolardisorderF31(page26)ifsymptomsofmaniaexcitement,elevatedmoodorexaggeratedselfworthare
prominent. AlcoholmisuseF10orDrugusedisordersF11#(pages18and55).Chronicintoxicationorwithdrawalfromalcohol orothersubstances(stimulants,hallucinogens)cancausepsychoticsymptoms. Patientswithchronicpsychosismayalsoabusedrugsand/oralcohol. Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Seekthepatientspermissiontodiscussatreatmentplanwithstaffinvolvedinthecareofthepatientandobtaintheir
appropriateexpectationsfortheindividual,toavoidinappropriaterelegationtobasicstatus.Theinformationleafleton thediskforstaffaboutpsychoticdisordermaybehelpful. Explainthatmedicationwillhelppreventrelapse,andinformthepatientofthesideeffects.Bevigilanttoensurethatthe patientisnotpersuaded/bulliedintogivingthemedicationtosomeoneelse.(Theyhavecurrency,asantipsychoticsmay haveasedativeandantiParkinsoniandrugsamoodelevatingeffect) Encouragethepatienttofunctionatthehighestreasonablelevelinworkandotherdailyactivities. Minimisestressandstimulation: Donotarguewithpsychoticthinking. Avoidconfrontationorcriticism. 3Staffshouldrespondgentlyandwithreassurancetoslowresponsestoorders(eg slownessingoingintoacell).Useofcontrolandrestraintshouldbealastresort. Duringperiodswhenthesymptomsaremoresevere,restandwithdrawalfromstressmaybehelpful. Keepthepatientsphysicalhealth,includinghealthpromotion,obesityandsmoking,underreview. 61Weightgainrelated tomedicationcanbeextreme.Heavysmokersmayusetobaccotocounteractthesedativeeffectsoftheirantipsychotic medication.Ifthishappens,consideralesssedatingantipsychotic .Ifyoususpectcooccurringsubstancemisuse,checkfor possiblephysicalproblems(eganaemia,chestproblems)andnutritionaldeficiencies. Iftheillnesshasarelapsingcourse,workwiththepatientandstafftotrytoidentifyearlywarningsignsofrelapse. Encouragethepatienttobuildrelationshipswithkeymembersofthehealthcareteam,egbyseeingthesamedoctoror nurseateachappointment.Usetherelationshiptodiscusstheadvantagesofmedicationandtoreviewtheeffectivenessof thecareplan. Foradviceonthemanagementofagitatedorexcitedstates,see AcutepsychoticdisordersF23(page11). IfcareissharedwiththeinhouseorNHSmentalhealthservices,agreewiththemwhoistodowhat. Especiallyifthepatientbecomesdepressed,consideroptionsforsupport,educationandreassuranceabouttheirpsychotic illness,includingpossiblerelapseandtheirfuturelifechances.Mentalhealthstaffmaybeabletoprovideindividual counselling,goalplanningandmonitoringofearlywarningsignsofrelapse. Ifthepatientisalsousingsubstances: Expressconcernforthepatientswellbeingandavoidmoraldisapproval(egImreallynothappyaboutyoutaking drugsasitmakesyourschizophreniaworse).Focusonbuildingarelationshipwiththepatient,notonpushingan unmotivatedpatienttowardsabstinence. Discussthebenefitsandcostsofdruguse(includingtheimplicationsofcontinuinganyformofillicitdrugusewhilein prison)fromthepatientsperspective.Assessthepatientscommitmenttochange.Thoughtdisorder,suspiciousnessand depressionmaymakeitdifficultforthepatienttomakesuchacommitment. Educatethepatientabouttheeffectofalcoholandotherdrugsonthebodyandonschizophrenia(egDrugssuchas cannabis,LSD,stimulantsandecstasyallexacerbatethemoodyouareinwhenyoutakeit,andsocanmakeyoumore paranoid,anxiousordepressed).Feedbacktheresultsoftests,egurinetests,changesinweightorotherphysical examinations. Consideroptionsfordealingwithprisonrelatedproblemsthatmaybeincreasingthesubstanceuse(egboredom, bullying,lowleveldepression).Consider: encouragingthepatienttospendmoretimeoutofthecellandinenjoyableactivities,egattendeducation,gym,work liaising,withpatientpermission,withwingofficersaboutreducingstressontheunit(egnoise,bullying,teasing)or increasingactivities encouragingthepatienttotalktoanytrustedfriendorstaffmember(egpersonalofficer,teacher,listener,chaplain) ifdaytodayproblemsariseratherthanturningtodrugs. Formoreinformation,seeComorbidity (page191). Medication
Antipsychoticmedicationmayreducepsychoticsymptoms(see BNF,Section4.2.1).Examplesincludehaloperidol(1.54
mguptothreetimesday1),oranatypicalantipsychotic N6(egolanzapine,510mgday1,orrisperidone,46mgday1). Thedoseshouldbethelowestpossibleforreliefofsymptoms.Thedrugshavedifferentsideeffectprofiles.Indicationsfor atypicaldrugsincludeuncontrolledacuteextrapyramidaleffects,uncontrolledhyperprolactinaemiaandpredominant, unresponsive,negativesymptoms(egwithdrawalandlowmotivation).Formoreinformationonthedifferenttypesof antipsychoticdrugsandtheirsideeffectprofiles,see MaudsleyPrescribingGuidelines. 10 Informthepatientthatcontinuedmedicationwillreducetheriskofrelapse.Ingeneral,antipsychoticmedicationshould becontinuedforatleast6monthsfollowingafirstepisodeofillness,andlongerafterasubsequentepisode. N9 Monitorcomplianceandthecallupforreviewifmorethantwodosesaremissed.
If,afterteamsupport,thepatientisreluctantorerraticintakingmedication,injectablelongactingantipsychotic
medicationmayensurethecontinuityoftreatmentandreducetheriskofrelapse. N62Itshouldbereviewedat46 monthlyintervals.Doctorsandnurseswhogivedepotinjectionsinprimarycareneedtrainingtodoso. 63Ifavailable, specificcounsellingaboutmedicationalsoishelpful. N64Advisethenurseadministeringthemedicationtoseekoutthe patientshouldhe/shefailtoattendanappointment. Discussthepotentialsideeffectswiththepatient.Commonmotorsideeffectsinclude: AcutedystoniasorspasmsthatcanbemanagedwithantiParkinsoniandrugs(see BNF,Section4.9)(egprocyclidine,5 mgthreetimesperday,ororphenadrine,50mgthreetimesperday). Parkinsoniansymptoms(egtremorandakinesia),whichcanbemanagedwithoralantiParkinsoniandrugs(see BNF, Section4.9)(egprocyclidine,5mguptothreetimesperday,ororphenadrine,50mgthreetimesperday).Withdrawalof antiParkinsoniandrugsshouldbeattemptedafter23monthswithoutsymptomsasthesedrugsareliabletomisuseand mayimpairmemory. Akathisia(severemotorrestlessness)maybemanagedwithdosagereduction,or blockers(egpropranolol,3080 mgday1)(seeBNF,Section2.4).Switchingtoalowpotencyantipsychotic(egolanzapineorquetiapine)mayhelp. Otherpossiblesideeffectsincludeweightgain,galactorrhoeaandphotosensitivity.Patientssufferingfromdrug inducedphotosensitivityareeligibleforsunscreenonprescription. Referral Referraltothesecondarymentalhealthservicesisadvised: urgently,iftherearesignsofrelapse,unlessthereisanestablishedpreviousresponsetotreatment nonurgently: toclarifydiagnosisandensurethemostappropriatetreatment ifthereisnoncompliancewithtreatment,problematicsideeffectsorbreakdownofthelivingarrangements,eg problemsonordinarylocationorwithoccupation forallnewpatientswithadiagnosisofpsychosistoobtaininformationaboutandreviewanyexistingcareplan forallpatientswhoalsoabusesubstancestoreviewtheirmedicationtoensurethatunwantedsideeffects(egsedation) arenotincreasingdruguse. Patientswitharangeofmentalhealth,occupational,socialandfinancialneedsarenormallymanagedbyspecialistservices. ReferralforakeyworkerundertheCareProgrammeapproachshouldalwaysbeconsidered. Thecommunitymentalhealthservicesmaybeabletoprovidecompliancetherapy, N64familyinterventions, N65 cognitivebehaviourtherapy 66andrehabilitativefacilities. Referpatientswhoaremisusingsubstancesandexpresssomemotivationtoreduceforsubstanceabusecounselling. 25 Liaisewiththesubstancemisuseservicetoensurethecontinuedprescriptionofantipsychoticmedication.Stresstothe patientthatrelapsesaretobeexpected,arenotsignsoffailureandwillnotmeanalossofyoursupportandrespect(see Comorbidity,page191). Ifreleaseisplanned,workcooperativelywithbothprobationorthroughcareplanningofficerstoensurethat appointmentswithageneralpractitionerandspecialistmentalhealthcarearearrangedandthathousing,moneyforfood, clothesandheatingarearranged. Ifreleaseisnotplanned,informthelocalmentalhealthservicesthatthepatientmaypresenttoA&Eintheareaand advisethemtolookoutforhim/her. Formoredetailonthroughcare,seeManagingtheinterfacewiththeNHSandotheragencies (page149).
Resources for patients and primary support groups HearingVoicesNetwork:01618345768 (Selfhelpgroupstoallowpeopletoexploretheirvoicehearingexperiences) MINDInfoline:08457660163(outsideLondon);02085221728(GreaterLondon) NationalSchizophreniaFellowship:02089746814(adviceline:MondayFriday,10:30am3pm);02073309106(office) NationalSchizophreniaFellowship(NorthernIreland): 02890402323 NationalSchizophreniaFellowship(Scotland): 01315578969 SANELine:08457678000(12pm2am,7nights) Educationandworkshopsmayprovideopportunitiesforcreativeexpression EducationorPsychologyDepartmentsmayprovidebasicsocialskillstraining Resourceleaflets: CopingwiththeSideeffectsofMedication WorkingwithaPrisonerwithSevereMentalIllness EarlyWarningSignsForm HealthyLivingwithSchizophrenia.London:HealthEducationAuthority1998.Availablefrom:MarsdonBookServices.Tel: 01235465565 RColeman,MSmith.WorkingWithVoices.Handsell,1997NewtonleWillows.Workbooktohelpvoicehearersmanage theirvoices
Delirium F05
Presenting complaints
Takemeasurestopreventthepatientfromharminghim/herselforothers,egremoveunsafeobjects,restrainifnecessary
butusetheminimumamountofrestraintrequiredandtakeextracaretoensurenophysicalharmtothepatient(see RestraintinAggression,page282). Supportivecontactwithfamiliarpeoplecanreduceconfusion. Providefrequentremindersoftimeandplacetoreduceconfusion.
Atransfertohospitalmayberequiredbecauseofagitationorbecauseofthephysicalillnessthatiscausingdelirium.
Medication 68
Avoidtheuseofsedativeorhypnoticmedications(egbenzodiazepines)exceptforthetreatmentofalcoholorsedative Antipsychoticmedicationinlowdoses(seeBNF,Section4.2.1)maysometimesbeneededtocontrolagitation,psychotic
withdrawal. symptomsoraggression.Bewareofdrugsideeffects(drugswithanticholinergicactionandantiParkinsonianmedication canexacerbateorcausedelirium)anddruginteractions.
Dementia F00#
Presenting complaints
Patientsmaycomplainofforgetfulness,adeclineinmentalfunctioningoroffeelingdepressed,buttheymaybeunaware
ofmemoryloss.Patientsandstaffmaysometimesdeny,orbeunawareof,theseverityofmemorylossandother deteriorationinfunction. Stafforthepatientssolicitormayaskforhelpinitiallybecauseoffailingmemory,disorientationandchangein personalityorbehaviour.Inthelaterstagesoftheillness,theymayseekhelpbecauseofbehaviouraldisturbance, wanderingorincontinenceoranepisodeofdangerousbehaviour. Dementiamayalsobediagnosedduringconsultationsforotherproblems,asstaffmaybelievedeteriorationinmemory andfunctionisanaturalpartofageing. Changesinbehaviourandfunctioning(egpoorpersonalhygieneorsocialinteraction)inanolderpatientshouldraisethe possibilityofadiagnosisofdementia. Diagnostic features
Helpfultestsinclude:MSU,fullbloodcount(FBC),B 12,folate,LFTs,TFTs,U&E,Ca2+andglucose. Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Dementiaisfrequentinoldagebutisnotinevitable. Memorylossandconfusionmaycausebehaviourproblems(egagitation,suspiciousness,emotionaloutbursts,apathyand
aninabilitytotakepartinnormalsocialinteraction). Memorylossusuallyproceedsslowly,butthecourseandlongtermprognosisvarieswiththediseasecausingdementia. Discussthediagnosis,thelikelyprogressandprognosiswiththepatientand,withpatientpermission,withhis/her primarysupportgroup. Physicalillnessorotherstresscanincreaseconfusion. Advisestaffthatthepatientwillhavegreatdifficultyinlearningnewinformation.Avoidplacingthepatientinunfamiliar placesorsituations Thesupplyofinformationondementiaforstaffinvolvedincareofthepatientisessential. Advice and support to the patient and primary support group
Seekpatientpermissiontodiscussatreatmentplanwithstaffinvolvedinthecareofthepatientandobtaintheirsupport
forit.Regularlyassesstherisk(balancingsafetyandindependence),especiallyattimesofcrisis.Asappropriate,discuss arrangementsforsupportintheestablishment. Considercontactingthepatientssolicitor,withpatientpermission,todiscussthepossibleapplicationforreleaseon groundsofillhealth. Regularlyreviewthepatientsabilitytoperformdailytaskssafelyaswellastheirbehaviouralproblemsandgeneral physicalcondition. Ifmemorylossismild,considertheuseofmemoryaidsorreminders. Encouragethepatienttomakefulluseoftheirremainingabilities. Encouragemaintenanceofthepatientsphysicalhealthandfitnessthroughgooddietandexercise,plusswifttreatmentof intercurrentphysicalillness. Discusstheplanningoflegalandfinancialaffairs.AninformationsheetisavailablefromtheAlzheimersSociety(see ResourcesDirectorypage316). Aprobationofficermaybeabletoprovidefurtherinformation. Medication
Trynonpharmacologicalmethodsofdealingwithdifficultbehaviourfirst.Forexample,staffmaybeabletodealwith
repetitivequestioningiftheyaregiventheinformationthatthisisbecausethedementiaisaffectingthepatientsmemory. Antipsychoticmedicationinverylowdoses(seeBNF,Section4.2.1)maysometimesbeneededtomanagesome behaviouralproblems(egaggressionorrestlessness).Behaviouralproblemschangewiththecourseofthedementia; therefore,withdrawthemedicationeveryfewmonthsonatrialbasistoseeifitisstillneededanddiscontinueifitisnot. Bewareofdrugsideeffects(egParkinsoniansymptoms,anticholinergiceffects)anddruginteractions(avoidcombining withtricyclicantidepressants(TCA),alcohol,anticonvulsantsor Ldopapreparations).Antipsychoticsshouldbeavoided inLewybodydementia. 70 managementproblemsremain,useverycautiouslyandfornomorethan2weeks;theymayincreaseconfusion. Aspirininlowdosesmaybeprescribedforvasculardementiatoattempttoslowdeterioration. InAlzheimersdisease,considerreferringthepatienttosecondarycareforanassessmentandtheinitiationof anticholinesterasedrugs 71dependingonlocallyagreedpolicies. Referral
Avoidusingsedativeorhypnoticmedications(egbenzodiazepines)ifpossible.Ifothertreatmentshavefailedandsevere
Refertoaspecialisttoconfirmdiagnosisincomplicatedoratypicalcases. Callacaseconferencewiththerelevantstaff(egprobationofficer,residentialstaff,occupationaltherapist,ifavailable)to
arrangethepracticalitiesofmanagingthepatientintheestablishment. Refertoaphysicianifthereiscomplexmedicalcomorbidityorasuddenworseningofdementia. Refertothepsychiatricservicesifthereareintractablebehaviouralproblemsorifadepressiveorpsychoticepisode occurs.
Resources for patients and primary support groups AlzheimersSocietyandCJDSupportNetwork: 0845300336(helpline); 02073060606(office) (Supportandadvicetopeoplewithdementiaofallkinds,ienotjustAlzheimers,andtheirfamilyandfriends) AgeConcernEngland:0800009966(freephonehelpline:MondaySunday, 7am7pm);02087657200(office) (Informationandadvicerelatingtoolderpeople) AgeConcernNorthernIreland:02890245729 AgeConcernCymru:02920399562 AgeConcernScotland:01312203345 HelptheAged:02072530253 CounselandCare:02074851550(MondayFriday,10:30am12pm,2pm4pm) (Adviceandinformationonissuesincludingresidentialcare,forolderpeopleandtheircarers) BenefitsEnquiryLine: 0800882200(freephone) (Forpeoplewithdisabilities) CarersNationalAssociation:02074908818;08088087777(carersline:10am 12pm,2:30pm4pm) HCayton,NGraham,JWarner,AlzheimersAtYourFingertips .Class,1997London.11.95.Agoodbookforpatientsand carersthatanswerscommonlyaskedquestionsaboutalltypesofdementia
Depression F32#
Presenting complaints Thepatientmaypresentinitiallywithoneormorephysicalsymptoms,suchaspainortirednessallthetime.Further enquirywillrevealalowmoodorsevereandpersistent lossofinterest. Irritabilityorincreasedaggression issometimesthepresentingproblem. Awiderangeofpresentingcomplaintsmayaccompanyorconcealdepression.Theseincludeanxietyorinsomnia,worries aboutsocialproblemssuchasfinancialormaritaldifficulties,increaseddrugoralcoholuse,or(inanewmother)constant worriesaboutherbabyorfearofharmingthebaby. Somegroupsareathigherrisk(egthosewhohaverecentlygivenbirth,thosegivenalifesentenceoralongersentence thantheyexpected,andthosewithphysicaldisorders,egParkinsonsdiseaseormultiplesclerosis). Diagnostic features
Loworsadmood. Lossofinterestandpleasureformostofthedayforatleast2weeks.
Plusatleastfourofthefollowing: disturbedsleep disturbedappetite;foodrefusal increasedirritabilityandaggression guiltorlowselfworth pessimismorhopelessnessaboutthefuture fatigueorlossofenergy agitation(egpacing)orslowingofmovementorspeech diurnalmoodvariation poorconcentration suicidalthoughtsoracts lossofselfconfidence decreasedlibido. Symptomsofanxietyornervousnessarealsofrequentlypresent. Themoreseverethedepression,usuallythegreaternumberofsymptomsand(mostimportantly)thegreaterthedegreeof interferencewithnormalsocialoroccupationalfunctioning.Biologicalsymptomsaremorecommoninmoresevere depression. Differential diagnosis
AdjustmentreactionF43.2 (page15).Wheresymptomsarecausedbyrecentstress(egbeinggivenaprisonsentenceor
bullying;lossofconfidencemaybecausedbytheindividualspositionintheprisonhierarchy).Depressionisdiagnosed whensymptomsaresevereandcontinueformorethan1month,irrespectiveofwhetherornottheyarelinkedtolife stresses. AlcoholmisuseF10orDrugusedisorderF11#(pages18and55)ifheavyalcoholordruguseispresent.Substance misusemaycauseorincreasedepressivesymptoms.Itmayalsomaskunderlyingdepression.Depressivesymptoms improvein80%ofpatientsafterdetoxification.Depressionisdiagnosedifmajorsymptomspersistorworsenafteralcohol, stimulantoropiatewithdrawal(seeComorbidity ,page191). AcutepsychoticdisorderF23(page11)ifhallucinations,eghearingvoices,ordelusions,egstrangeorunusualbeliefs, arepresent. BipolardisorderF31(page26)ifthepatienthasahistoryofmanicepisodes,egexcitement,rapidspeechandelevated mood. ChronicmixedanxietyanddepressionF41.2 (page33). Somemedicationsmayproducesymptomsofdepression(eg blockers,otherantihypertensives,H 2blockers,oral contraceptivesandcorticosteroids). Unexplainedsomaticcomplaints,anxiety,alcoholordrugdisordersmaycoexistwithdepression. Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Feelingsofhelplessness,hopelessness,anxietyandemotionalswingsareallsymptomsoftheillness.Theydonotmean
thatyouaregoingmad.Depressionisacommonillnessandeffectivetreatmentsareavailable. Itisnormaltobesadwhenseparatedfromfamilyandfriends.Depressionisdiagnosedwhensymptomsaresevereand goonforalongtime.Thenpeopleoftenneedhelptoreducethesymptomssothattheycantackletheirproblemsandget onwithlife. Somepeopleusedrugsandalcoholasawayofescapingfrompainfulfeelingsandthesemaycomebackwhenthedrugs arestopped.Ifyouarestill depressedafewweeksafterbeingdrugfree,itusuallymeansthatthereisaproblemwithdepression.Thiscouldbean opportunitytotryanddealwith someoftheproblemsthatcontributedtoyourdepressionandtoyoursubstanceuse. Depressionisnotweaknessorlaziness. Depressioncanaffectpeoplesabilitytocope. Recommendinformationleafletsoraudiotapestoreinforcetheinformation. 51Ifthepatienthasreadingdifficulties,a memberofthehealthcareteamoranothermemberofstaffmaybeabletodiscussthecontentsoftheleaflet Managing Depression(itisonthedisk)withhim/her. Advice and support for the patient and primary support group
Assesstheriskofsuicide.Askquestionsaboutthoughts,plansandintent(egHasthepatientoftenthoughtofdeathor
dying?Doesthepatienthaveaspecificsuicideplan?Hashe/shemadesuicideattemptsinthepast?Canthepatientbe surenottoactonsuicidalideas?Involvethementalhealthteam.Thereshouldbeclosesupervision,movetohealthcare centreoruseofcaresuitemaybeneeded(seeAssessingandmanagingpeopleatriskofsuicide ,page204). Askaboutriskofharmtoothers(seeAssessingriskofviolencein Aggression,page282). Identifythecurrentlifeproblemsorsocialstresses,includingprecipitatingfactors,andwhathelphe/sheneedsin resolvingthem.Wingofficersmaybehelpful,especiallywhereproblemsinvolvethewinghierarchy.Focusonsmall, specificstepspatientsmighttaketowardsreducingorimprovingmanagementoftheseproblems(foragenciesproviding helpforparticularproblems,seeResourcedirectory,page316).Advisethepatienttoavoidmajordecisionsorlifechanges whilehe/sheisdepressed. Planshorttermactivitiesthatgivethepatientenjoymentorbuildconfidence.Exercisemaybehelpful. 72 Ifappropriate,adviseareductionincaffeineintake 46anddruguse. Supportthedevelopmentofgoodsleeppatternsandencourageabalanced diet.47 Encouragethepatienttoresistpessimismandselfcriticism,nottoactonpessimisticideas(egendingamarriage)andnot toconcentrateonnegativeorguiltythoughts. Identifysomeonethepatientcanconfidein.Encouragehim/hertoseekpracticalandemotionalhelpfromothers.Inform thepatientabouttheroleandavailabilityoftheprisonhealthcareteamandanyothersupportavailable.Consider supportinghim/hertoobtainadditionaltelephonecallstofamilyandfriendsoutsideorextendedfamilyvisits. Ifphysicalsymptomsarepresent,discussthelinkbetweenphysicalsymptomsandmood (seeUnexplainedsomatic symptomsF45,page94). Involvethepatientindiscussingtheadvantagesanddisadvantagesoftheavailabletreatments.Informthepatientthat medicationusuallyworksmorequicklythanpsychotherapies. N74,N75Wherepatientschoosenottotakemedication, exploretheirreasonsanddispelanymisconceptions,butiftheyremainofthesamemind,respecttheirdecisionand arrangeanotherappointmenttomonitorprogress. Afterimprovement,planwiththepatienttheactiontobetakenifsignsofrelapseoccur. Liaison and advice to residential and other staff Askthepatientspermissiontodiscussthefollowingwiththeotherstaffcaringforhim/her.Informhim/herthatyouwill onlydothiswiththeirpermission,exceptwherethereisasignificantriskofsuicideorharmtoothers. Discusstheoutcomeoftheassessmentofriskanddiscusswaysofmanagingtheriskincludingthelevelofmonitoring required.Discussthelocation,includingthesharedroomorcaresuite.Discusstheoptionsforstaffsupportoutlinedon theleafletonthedisk. Advisestaffnottomakejudgementsaboutwhethergivinguponlifeistobeexpectedinthefaceofthepatientslife situation. Informstaffofthelikelyimpactoftheillnessontheindividualsfunctioning,egirritabilityandaggressioncancausean increaseinargumentswithotherinmatesorwithvisitors.
Choice of medication
Atpresent,thereisnoevidencetosuggestthatanyantidepressantismoreeffectivethanothers. 77,78However,theirside effectprofilesdifferand,therefore,somedrugswillbemoreacceptabletoparticularpatientsthanothers(see BNF,Section 4.3). Ifthepatienthasrespondedwelltoaparticulardruginthepast,usethatdrugagain. Ifthepatientisolderorphysicallyill,usemedicationwithfeweranticholinergicandcardiovascularsideeffects. Ifthepatientissuicidal,avoidtricyclicantidepressants(TCAs)orconsidersupervisedingestion. Ifthepatientisanxiousorunabletosleep,useadrugwithmoresedativeeffects,butwarnofdrowsinessandproblems withmachinery. Ifthepatientisabouttobereleasedandisunwillingtogiveupalcohol,chooseoneoftheSSRIantidepressantswhichdo notinteractwithalcohol(egfluoxetine,paroxetineandcitalopram).(See BNFSection4.3.3) Hypericumperforata(knownasStJohnsWortandavailablefromhealthfoodstores)isoftentakenformildandmoderate symptomsofdepression,bothacuteandchronic. 53Ithasmildmonoamineoxidaseinhibiting(MAOI)properties 54soit shouldnotbecombinedwithotherantidepressantsandcautionmaybeneededwithdiet. N55Hypericumisanactiveagent andinteractionswithprescribeddrugsmayoccur(forfurtherinformation,seetheadvicefromtheCommitteeforSafety ofMedicines N56). Ifantidepressantsareprescribed,explaintothepatientthat: themedicationmustbetakeneveryday thedrugisnotaddictive improvementwillbuildupover23weeksafterstartingthemedication mildsideeffectsmayoccur,egdrymouth,blurredvision,sedationwithTCAsandagitationandstomachupsetwith selectiveserotoninreuptakeinhibitors(SSRIs),buttheyusuallyfadein710daysand stressthatthepatientshouldconsultthedoctorbeforestoppingmedication.Allantidepressantsshouldbewithdrawn slowly,preferablyover4weeksinweeklydecrements. Continuefulldoseantidepressantmedicationforatleast46monthsaftertheconditionimprovestopreventrelapse. 79,80
Reviewregularlyduringthistime.Consider,jointlywiththepatient,theneedforfurthercontinuationbeyond46months. Ifthepatienthashadseveralepisodesofmajordepression,considercarefullylongtermprophylactictreatment. N81Obtain asecondopinionatthispoint,ifavailable. IfusingTCAmedication,buildupover710daystotheeffectivedose,egdothiepin:startat5075mgandbuildto150 mgnocte;orimipramine:startat2550mgeachnightandbuildto100150mg. N82 Withdrawantidepressantmedicationslowlyandmonitorforwithdrawalreactionstoensurethatremissionisstable. GradualreductionofSSRIscanbeachievedbyusingsyrupinreducingdosesortakingatabletonalternatedays. Referral Thefollowingstructuredtherapies,deliveredbyproperlytrainedpractitioners,havebeenshowntobeeffectiveforsome peoplewithdepression. N83 Cognitivebehaviouraltherapy(CBT). Behaviourtherapy. Interpersonaltherapy. Structuredproblemsolving.
Patientswithchronic,relapsingdepressionmaybenefitmorefromCBToracombinationofCBTandantidepressantsthan frommedicationalone. 84,85Counsellingmaybehelpful,especiallyinmildercasesandiffocusedonspecificpsychosocial problemswhicharerelatedtothedepression,egrelationships,bereavement. N13 Referraltothesecondarymentalhealthservicesisadvised: asanemergency,ifthereisasignificantriskofsuicideordangertoothers,psychoticsymptoms,severeagitationor retardationwithimpairedfood/fluidintakeand asanonemergency,if: significantdepressionpersistsdespitetreatmentinprimarycare(antidepressanttherapyhasfailedifthepatient remainssymptomaticafterafullcourseoftreatmentatanadequatedosage.Ifthereisnoclearimprovementwiththefirst drug,itshouldbechangedtoanotherclassofdrug)or thereisahistoryofseveredepression,especiallybipolardisorder. Ifdrugoralcoholmisuseisalsoaproblem,seetheguidelinesforthesedisorders. Involvenonhealthcaresupport(egchaplain,counsellor,listener/buddy,voluntarysupportgroup)inallothercases wheresymptomspersist,wherethepatienthasapoorornonexistentsupportnetwork,orwheresocialorrelationship problemsarecontributingtothedepression. 86 Severelydepressedadolescentsaredifficulttoassessandmanage,andreferralisrecommended(see Emotionaldisorders inyoungpeople,page126). Formoredetailsonreferral,seeManagingtheinterfacewiththeNHSandotheragencies (page149).
Resources for patients and primary support groups AssociationforPostNatalIllness:02073860868 DepressionAlliance:02076330557(answerphone) SAD(SeasonalAffectiveDisorder)Association: 01903814942 Samaritans: 08457909090(24hour,7daysperweekhelpline) UKRegisterofCounsellors:08704435232 (ProvidesalistofBACPaccreditedcounsellors) Resourceleaflets: Problemsolving CopingwithDepression DorothyRowe.Depression:WayOutofYourPrison .Anexplanatorybook ErikaHarvey.TheElementGuidetoPostnatalDepression:YourQuestionsAnswered .Shaftesbury:Element,1999
Physicalorneurologicalsymptomsoftenhavenoclearphysicalcause.Symptomscanbebroughtaboutbystress. Symptomsusuallyresolverapidly(fromhourstoafewweeks),leavingnopermanentdamage.
Advice and support to the patient and primary support group
Drugusehascausedphysicalharm(eginjurieswhileintoxicated),psychologicalharm(egsymptomsofmentaldisorder
duetodruguse)orhasledtoharmfulsocialconsequences(egcriminality,lossofjob,severefamilyproblems) Habitualand/orharmfulorchaoticdruguse Difficultycontrollingdruguse Strongdesiretousedrugs Tolerance(canuselargeamountsofdrugswithoutappearingintoxicated) Withdrawal(eganxiety,tremorsorotherwithdrawalsymptomsafterstoppinguse).
Drugmisuseisachronic,relapsingcondition.Controllingorstoppinguseoftenrequiresseveralattempts.Itisparticularly
hardwhenthepatientalsohasanothermentaldisorder.Relapseiscommon Abstinenceshouldbeseenasalongtermgoal.Harmreduction(especiallyreducingintravenousdruguse)maybeamore realisticgoalintheshorttomediumterm Stoppingorreducingdrugusewillbringpsychological,socialandphysicalbenefits Usingsomedrugsduringpregnancyrisksharmingthebaby N87 Forintravenousdrugusers,thereisariskoftransmittingHIVinfection,hepatitisorotherinfectionscarriedbybody fluids.Discusstheappropriateprecautions,egusecondomsanddonotshareneedles,syringes,spoons,waterorany otherinjectingequipment Wherethepatientalsohasapsychoticdisorder,advisethatsubstanceabusemakesacutesymptomsofpsychosis(eg hallucinations)worse,evenwhenantipsychoticmedicationistaken.
Advice and support to the patient and primary support group Adviceshouldbegivenaccordingtothepatientsmotivationandwillingnesstochange. 88Forsomepatientswithchronic, relapsingopioiddependence,thetreatmentofchoiceismaintenanceonlongactingopioids(usuallymethadone). 89 Forallpatients,dothefollowing. Discussthebenefitsandcostsofdruguse(includingthelinksbetweendruguseandoffending)fromthepatients perspective Feedbackinformationaboutthehealthrisks,includingtheresultsofinvestigations Emphasisethepersonalresponsibilityforchange Giveclearadvicetochange Assessandmanagethephysicalhealthproblems(egdeepveinthrombosis[DVT],abscesses,infections,hepatitis,HIV, anaemia,chestproblems)andnutritionaldeficiencies Considertheoptionsforproblemsolvingortargetedcounsellingtodealwithlifeproblemsrelatedtodruguse. Forpatientsnotwillingtostoporchangetheirdruguseimmediately,dothefollowing. Donotrejectorblame Adviseonharmreductionstrategies(egifthepatientisinjecting,adviseontherisksofneedlesharing,notinjectingalone, notmixingalcohol,benzodiazepinesandopiates)(seethepatientleaflet HarmReductiononthedisk) Clearlypointoutmedical,psychological,socialandoffendingproblemscausedbydrugs Makeafutureappointmenttoreassesshealth(egwellwomanchecks,immunisation)anddiscussdruguse. Ifreducingdruguseisareasonablegoal(orifapatientisunwillingtoquit): Negotiateacleargoalfordecreaseduse Discussstrategiestoavoidorcopewithhighrisksituations(egrelease,socialsituations,stressfulevents) Planforselfmonitoringproceduresuponrelease(egadiaryofdruguse)andforsaferdrugusebehaviours(egtime restrictions,slowingdownrateofuse) Consideroptionsforcounsellingand/orrehabilitation. Ifmaintenanceonsubstitutedrugsisareasonablegoal(orifapatientisunwillingtoquit): Negotiateacleargoalforlessharmfulbehaviour.Helpthepatientdevelopahierarchyofaims,egstoppingillicituseand maintenanceonprescribed,substitutedrugs,reductionofsubstitutedrugs Discussstrategiestoavoidorcopewithhighrisksituations,egrelease,socialsituationsorstressfulevents Considerwithdrawalsymptomsandhowtoavoidorreducethem Consideroptionsforcounsellingorrehabilitation,orboth. Forpatientswillingtostopimmediately: Considerwithdrawalsymptomsandhowtomanagethem Discussstrategiestoavoidorcopewithhighrisksituations,egrelease,socialsituationsorstressfulevents Makespecificplanstoavoiddruguse,eghowtorespondtofriendswhostillusedrugs Identifyfamilyorfriendswhowillsupportstoppingdruguse Consideroptionsforcounsellingorrehabilitation,orboth. Forpatientswhodonotsucceedorwhorelapseortransfertoadifferentdrugwhileinprison: Identifyandgivecreditforanysuccess Discusssituationsthatledtotherelapse Returntotheearliersteps. SelfhelporganisationssuchasNarcoticsAnonymousareoftenhelpful. Medication Towithdrawapatientfrombenzodiazepines,converttoalongactingdrugsuchasdiazepamandreducegraduallyover26 months(seeBNF,Section4.1).Formoreinformation,seeGuidelinesforthepreventionandtreatmentofbenzodiazepine dependence. 90 Withdrawalfromstimulantsorcocaineisdistressingandmayrequiremedicalsupervision.Theriskofsuicideandself harmduringandfollowingwithdrawalfromstimulantsandcocaineisparticularlyhigh.Formoreinformation,see Comorbidity(page191). Bothlongtermmaintenanceofapatientonsubstituteopiates(usuallymethadone)andwithdrawalfromopiatesshould bedoneaspartofasharedcarescheme. 91Amultidisciplinaryapproachisessentialandshouldincludedrug
counselling/therapy N92andpossiblefuturerehabilitationneeds. 93Thedoctorsigningtheprescriptioniswholly responsibleforprescribing;thiscannotbedelegated.Formoreinformation,see DrugMisuseandDependence:Guidelineson ClinicalManagement .94 Carefulassessment,includingurineanalysisand,wherepossible,doseassessment,isessentialbeforeprescribingany substitutemedication,includingmethadone.Addictsoftentrytoobtainahigherthanneededdose.Dosageswilldepend ontheresultsoftheassessment Forlongtermmaintenanceorstabilisationbeforegradualwithdrawal,thedoseshouldbetitrateduptothatneededboth toblockwithdrawalsymptomsandthecravingforopiates N95 Forgradualwithdrawalafteraperiodofstabilisation,thedrugcanbeslowlytapered(egby5mgperfortnight) Dailydispensingandsupervisedingestionarerecommended IntheUKatpresent,methadonemixtureBNF1mgml1isthemostoftenusedsubstitutemedicationforopioid addiction96(seeBNF,Section4.10).Other,newerdrugsare,ormaybecome,available(egBuprenorphine 97).Specialist adviceshouldbeobtainedbeforeprescribingthese WithdrawalfromopiatesforpatientswhosedruguseisalreadywellcontrolledcanbemanagedwithLofexidine 98(see BNF,Section4.10). Referral Considerreferral: ToaDetoxificationUnitifthepatientisdependentupondrugs Involvetheinhouseorsecondarymentalhealthservicesinadditionifthepatienthasanassociatedseverepsychiatric disorder,orifthesymptomsofmental illnesspersistafterdetoxificationandabstinence.Ideally,treatmentshouldbeprovidedbycliniciansskilledintreating bothsubstancemisuseandmentaldisorder 25 Tocounselling,assessment,referral,adviceandthroughcareservices(CARATS)workersforcounsellingtargetedat problemsassociatedwith/triggeringdruguseandrelapsepreventionwork Toinhouserehabilitationprogrammesandtherapeuticcommunities. Beforerelease: Ifpossible,arrangeingoodtimeforongoingrehabilitationsupportinthecommunity.Helpwithlifeproblems, employmentandsocialrelationshipsisanimportantcomponentoftreatment 99 Wherethepatienthasbothamentalillnessandadrugmisuseproblemandexpressessomemotivationtoreduceuse,if eitherthepsychiatricorsubstancemisuseproblemappearstopredominate,refertheminitiallytothatservice.Makethe rationaleclearintheletter/fax.Ifbothtypesofdisorderareofequalsignificance,thennegotiatewithbothagenciesabout thepreferredinitialreferralroute.Itmaybethattheindividualwillrequiresupportandinputbybothagencies.Somecan provideservicesjointly.Ideally,amodifiedformofmotivationalinterviewingthattakesaccountoftheadditional problemsofapatientwithaseverementalillnesswillbeused.Liaisewiththeservicetoensurecontinuedprescriptionof psychotropicmedication,ifappropriate Stresstothepatientthatrelapsesaretobeexpected,arenotsignsoffailureandwillnotmeanalossofyoursupportand respect. SeeComorbidity(page191).
Resources for patients and primary support groups ADFAMNational:02079288900(helpline) (Forfamiliesandthefriendsofdrugusers) CITA(CouncilforInvoluntaryTranquilliserAddiction):01519490102(MondayFriday,10am1pm) CavendishHouse,BrightonRoad,Waterloo,Liverpool (Confidentialadviceandsupport) HeroinAdviceline:02077299904 (Advice,supportandinformationtodrugusersandtheirfriendsandfamiliesonallaspectsofdruguseanddrugrelated legalproblems) NarcoticsAnonymous:02077300009 NationalDrugsHelpline:0800776600(24hourfreephone) (Confidentialadvice,includinginformationonlocalservices) ReleaseOutofHours:02076038654(helpline:MondayFriday,6pm10pm;SaturdayandSunday,8am12midnight) Resourceleaflets: HarmMinimizationAdvice DrugUseDiary
Expectdenialandambivalence.Elicitthepatientsconcernsaboutthenegativeeffectsofanorexianervosaonaspectsof
theirlife.Askthepatientaboutthebenefitsthatanorexiahasforthem,egthefeelingofbeingincontrol,feelingsafe,being abletogetcareandattentionfromfamily.Donottrytoforcethepatienttochangeifhe/sheisnotready. Educatethepatientaboutfoodandweight. Weighthepatientregularlyandcharttheirweight.Setmanageablegoalsinagreementwiththepatient(egaimfora0.5kg increaseperweek;thisrequiresacalorieintakeofabout2500kcalday1).Asupportivememberofstaffwhothepatient trustsmaybeabletohelpthepatientachievethis.Consultationwithadietitianmaybehelpfultoestablishthenormal calorieandnutrientintakeandtheregularpatternsofeating. Areturntonormaleatinghabitsmaybeadistantgoal. Providecounselling,ifavailable,abouttraumaticlifeeventsanddifficulties(pastandpresent)thatseemsignificantinthe onsetormaintenanceofthedisorder(see Counsellingandotherpsychologicaltherapies below). Inbulimianervosa: Useacollaborativeapproach. Afooddiarycanbeausefultherapeutictoolindiscussionswiththepatient. Educatethepatientabouttheneedtoeatregularlythroughouttheday(threemealsplustwosnacks)toreduceurgesto binge. Setmutuallyagreed,gradualgoalstoincreasenumberofmealseaten,thevarietyoffoodsallowed,andtoreduce vomitingandlaxatives. Helpthepatientidentifythepsychologicalandphysiologicaltriggersforbingeeatingandmakeclearplanstocopemore effectivelywiththesetriggerevents,egplananalternativebehaviour. Discussthepatientsbiasedbeliefsaboutweight,shapeandeating(egcarbohydratesarefattening)andencouragea reviewoftheirrigidviewsaboutbodyimage,egpatientsbelievenoonewilllikethemunlesstheyareverythin.Donot simplystatethatthepatientsviewiswrong. Providecounselling,ifavailable,aboutthedifficultiesunderlyingormaintainingthedisorder,egchildhoodabuse, relationshipdifficultiesorconcurrentproblemswithsubstanceabuse(see Counsellingandotherpsychologicaltherapies below). Additional advice to staff (with patient permission)
Inbulimianervosa,antidepressants(egfluoxetine,60mg)areeffectiveinreducingbingeingandvomitinginaproportion
ofcases. N100However,compliancewithmedicationmaybepoor(see BNF,Section4.3). Nopharmacologicaltreatmentforanorexiahasbeenestablishedtodate. N101Psychiatricconditions(egdepression)may cooccurandmayrespondtopharmacologicaltreatment. Orderbloodtestsforureaandelectrolytes. Referral Referforurgentassessment(ifpossible,tothesecondarymentalhealthserviceswithexpertiseineatingdisorders)if: BMI<13.5kgm2,especiallyiftherehasbeenrapidweightloss potassium<2.5mmoll1
Refertospecialistmentalhealthservicesforassessmentifthereisalackofprogressdespitetheabovemeasures.
AlcoholmisuseF10orDrugusedisordersF11#(pages18and55)ifheavyalcoholordruguseispresent.Anxietyis
acommonsymptomduringdetoxification/withdrawal.Itmayalsounderliesubstancemisuseandbecomeprominent afterwithdrawal.Substancesmaybeusedtoselfmedicateforanxiety.Ifsymptomsofanxietyremainorincrease followingdetox,suspectanunderlyinganxietydisorderand/orbenzodiazepinedependence(see Comorbidity ,page191). DepressionF32#(page47)ifaloworsadmoodisprominent. ChronicmixedanxietyanddepressionF41.2 (page33). PanicdisorderF41.0(page67)ifdiscreteattacksofunprovokedanxietyarepresent. PhobicdisordersF40(page79)iffearandavoidanceofspecificsituationsarepresent. Certainphysicalconditions(egthyrotoxicosis)ormedications(egmethylxanthines, agonists)maycauseanxiety symptoms. Anxietycanbeasymptomofposttraumaticstressdisorder. PosttraumaticstressdisorderF43.1(page82). Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Encouragethepatienttouserelaxationmethodsdailytoreducethephysicalsymptomsoftension.The ManagingAnxiety
leafletonthediskincludesarelaxationexercise.Ifthepatienthasreadingdifficulties,amemberofthehealthcareteam orothermemberofstaffmaybeabletogooverthecontentsoftheleafletwiththepatient. Adviseareductionincaffeineconsumption,ifappropriate. 46 Trytoavoidusingcigarettes,otherdrugsoralcoholtocopewithanxiety. Helpthepatientplanactivitiesthatarerelaxing,pleasurableorconfidencebuilding.Exercisemaybehelpful. 49,50If necessary,consideradvocatingforimprovedaccesstoappropriateactivities. Identifyandchallengeexaggeratedworriestohelpthepatientreduceanxietysymptoms: Identifyexaggeratedworriesorpessimisticthoughts,egwhenavisitordoesnotarriveontime,thepatientworriesthat theynolongerwantcontactwiththem. Discusswaystoquestiontheseexaggeratedworrieswhentheyoccur,egIamstartingtobecaughtupinworryagain. Myvisitorisonlyafewminuteslate.Hewillprobablybeheresoon. Structuredproblemsolvingmethods 48canhelppatientstomanagecurrentlifeproblemsorstressesthatcontributeto anxietysymptoms.Supportthepatienttocarryoutthefollowingsteps: Identifyingeventsthattriggerexcessiveworry.(Forexample,ayoungwomanpresentswithworry,tension,nausea andinsomnia.Thesesymptomsbeganaftershelearnedthathersonwasbehavingbadlyinschoolfollowingher conviction).
Listingasmanypossiblesolutionsasthepatientcanthinkof(egdiscussingherconcernswithaclosefriendorrelative, applyingforanextendedfamilyvisit,writingtohersonsgeneralpractitioner,contactingavoluntaryorganisationthat helpsfamiliesofprisoners). Listingtheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofeachpossiblesolution.(Thepatientshoulddothis,perhapsbetween appointments). Choosinghis/herpreferredapproach. Workingoutthestepsnecessarytoachievetheplan. Settingadatetoreviewtheplan.Identifyandreinforcethingsthatareworking). Identifypossible resourcesforproblemsolving,relaxation,yoga(egcounsellor,voluntaryagencyteaching meditation/relaxation;seeResourcesDirectory page316). Medication Medicationisasecondarytreatmentinthemanagementofgeneralisedanxiety. 105,106Itmaybeused,however,if significantanxietysymptomspersistdespitethemeasuressuggestedabove. Antianxietymedication N107(seeBNF,Section4.1.2)canonlybeusedfor2weeks.Avoidshortactingbenzodiazepines; considerdiazepam.Longertermusemayleadtodependenceandislikelytoresultinthereturnofsymptomswhen discontinued. Antidepressantdrugs, 108egimipramine,clomipramine,paroxetineorvenlafaxine,maybehelpful,especiallyifthe symptomsofdepressionarepresent.Theydonotleadtodependenceorreboundsymptoms,butcanleadtowithdrawal symptomsandsoshouldbetaperedgradually(see BNF,Section4.3). Blockersmayhelpcontrolphysicalsymptomssuchastremor. 109 Referral SeeGeneralreferralcriteria (page149). Nonurgentreferraltothesecondarymentalhealthservicesisadvisedifthepatientssymptomsaresufficientlysevereor enduringtointerferewithhis/hersocialoroccupationalfunctioning. Ifavailable,considercognitivebehaviouraltherapyoranxietymanagement. N110Selfcareclassesandassisted bibliotherapycanalsobeeffectiveintheprimarycareofmilderanxiety. 111,112 Resources for patients and primary support groups NoPanicHelpline:01952590545(10am10pm);08007831531(freephoneinfoline) (Helpline,informationbookletsandlocalselfhelpgroupsforpeoplewithanxiety,phobiasobsessions,panic) PrisonPhoenixTrust:01865512521/512522 PrisonPhoenixTrust,POBox328,OxfordOX27HF.Fax:01865516011 (Teachesandencouragestheuseoftechniquessuchasmeditationandyogaamongprisoners,throughcorrespondence andanetworkofteachers) StresswatchScotland01563574144(helpline);01563570886(office) (Advice,information,materialsonpanic,anxiety,stressphobias.Thirtyfivelocalgroups) TriumphOverPhobia(TOP)UK:01225330353 (Structuredselfhelpgroups.Producesselfhelpmaterials) Resourceleaflets: CopingwithAnxiety MindPublicationsproducesbookletsonUnderstandingAnxiety andotherrelevanttopics.Availablefrom:MindEngland andWales.Tel:02085192122;NorthernIrelandTel:02890237937;Scotland:Tel:01415687000 AliceNeville.WhosAfraid?CopingWithFear,AnxietyandPanicAttacks .Arrow,1991
Paniciscommonandcanbetreated. Anxietyoftenproducesfrighteningphysicalsymptoms.Chestpain,dizzinessorshortnessofbreatharenotnecessarily
signsofaphysicalillness;theywillpasswhenanxietyiscontrolled.Explainhowthebodysarousalreactionprovidesthe physicalbasisfortheirsymptomsandhowanxietyaboutaphysicalsymptomcancreateaviciouscycle.Adiagrammay behelpful. Panicanxietyalsocausesfrighteningthoughts(egfearofdying,afeelingthatoneisgoingmadorwilllosecontrol)and viceversa.Thesealsopasswhenanxietyiscontrolled. Mentalandphysicalanxietyreinforceeachother.Concentratingonphysicalsymptomswillincreasefear. Apersonwhowithdrawsfromoravoidssituationswherepanicshaveoccurredwillonlystrengthenhis/heranxiety. Advice and support to the patient and primary support group N106
Advisethepatienttoidentifytheearlywarningsignsofanimpendingpanicattackandtakethefollowingstepsatthefirst
signofapanic: Staywhereyouareuntilthepanicpasses,whichmaytakeupto1hour.Do notleavethesituation.Startslow,relaxed breathing,countinguptofouroneachbreathinandeachbreathout.Breathingtoodeeply(hyperventilation)cancause someofthephysicalsymptomsofpanic.Controlledbreathingwillreducethephysicalsymptoms.Dosomethingtofocus yourthinkingonsomethingvisible,tangibleandnonthreatening,eglookatapictureonthewall. Ifhyperventilationissevere,sitdownandbreatheintoapaperbagsothattheincreasedcarbondioxidewillslowdown yourbreathing(unlessthepatienthasasthmaorcardiovasculardisease). Concentrateoncontrollinganxietyandnotonthephysicalsymptoms Tellyourselfthatthisisapanicattackandthatthefrighteningthoughtsandsensationswilleventuallypass.Notethe timepassingonyourwatch.Itmayfeellikealongtimebutitwillusuallyonlybeafewminutes. Identifyexaggeratedfearsthatoccurduringpanic,egpatientsfearsthathe/sheishavingaheartattack. Discusswaystochallengethesefearsduringpanic,egthepatientremindshim/herself:Iamnothavingaheartattack. Thisisapanic,anditwillpassinafewminutes. Ifpossible,identifysomeone(amemberofthehealthcareteamorotherstaffmember)whothepatienttrustswhomay supporthim/herintakingtheaboveactions. Monitorand,ifnecessary,reducecaffeineintake. Trytoavoidusingcigarettesorotherdrugstocopewithanxiety.
Selfhelpgroups,books,tapesorleafletsmayhelpthepatientmanagepanicsymptomsandovercomefears. 113Ifthe
patienthasreadingdifficulties,amemberofthehealthcareteamoranothermemberofstaffmaybeabletodiscussthe contentsoftheleafletManagingAnxietyonthediskwithhim/her.
Medication Manypatientswillbenefitfromtheabovemeasuresandwillnotneedmedication,unlesstheirmoodislow. Ifattacksarefrequentandsevereorifthepatientissignificantlydepressed,antidepressants,includingtricyclics(TCAs) andselectiveserotoninreuptakeinhibitors(SSRIs),maybehelpful. N114Paroxetineandcitalopramarecurrentlylicensed forpanic(seeBNF,Section4.3).Therecanbeaslightworseningofsymptomsinitially,soadvisethepatienttoplan reducedactivitiesfortheweekfollowingthefirstprescription. Encouragepatientstofacefearswithouttheuseofbenzodiazepines.However,wherethefearedsituationisrare, occasionalshorttermuseofantianxietymedicationmaybehelpful. N115Regularusemayleadtodependenceandis likelytoresultinareturnofsymptomswhendiscontinued. Referral SeeGeneralreferralcriteria (page149). Nonurgentreferraltothesecondarymentalhealthservicesoracounsellorwithappropriatespecialtrainingisadvised forassessmentforcognitivebehaviouralpsychotherapyforpatientswhodonotimproveorthosewhoselifestyleisseverely compromised.(Thiscanbeparticularlyeffectiveforpatientswithpanicdisorder. 116,117)Cognitivebehaviouraltherapy (CBT),whichhasbeendevelopedinspecialistsettings,alsoappearstobeeffectiveinprimarycare. 118 Paniccommonlycausesphysicalsymptoms;avoidunnecessarymedicalreferralforphysicalsymptomsifyouarecertain ofthediagnosis. Considerselfhelp/voluntary/nonstatutoryservices. Resources for patients and primary support groups NoPanicHelpline:01952590545(10am10pm);08007831531(freephoneinfoline) (Helpline,informationbookletsandlocalselfhelpgroupsforpeoplewithanxiety,phobias,obsessionsandpanic) StresswatchScotland:01563574144(helpline);01563570886(office) (Advice,information,materialsonpanic,anxiety,stressphobias.Thirtyfivelocalgroups) TriumphOverPhobia(TOP)UK:01225330353 (Structuredselfhelpgroups.Producesselfhelpmaterial) Resourceleaflets: ManagingAnxiety MindPublicationsproducesbookletsonHowToCopeWithPanicAttacksandotherrelevanttopics.Availablefrom:Mind EnglandandWales:Tel:02085192122;NorthernIreland:Tel:02890237973;Scotland:01415687000 IsaacMarks.LivingwithFear.NewYork:McGrawHill1978.Selfhelpmanual AliceNeville.WhosAfraid?CopingWithFear,AnxietyandPanicAttacks .Arrow,1991
Behaviour
Thepatientdisplaysalongterm,stablepatternofexperienceandbehaviourthatstartedinearlylife,deviatesmarkedly fromculturalnormsandleadstodistressandimpairment.Thepatientbehavesinthiswaymostorallthetime,insomeor allofarangeofsettings(egwork,home,whenoutwithfriends,inprison)withoutlearningfromthenegativeresponsesof otherstowardsthem.Therearemanydifferentkindsofpersonalitydisordersandinprisonpeoplemostoftenhavefeatures ofmorethanonetype.Thetypesofpersonalitydisordersmostcommonlyfoundinprisonarethefollowing.
Individual relationships
Theindividualsproblemsandfeelingsoffear,humiliation,angerandneedareplayedoutintheirrelationships.For example,theymay: bullyandattempttodominatethosearoundthem,egvianonverbalintimidation,criticalquestioning,threatsof complaintsorviolence usecharm,flattery,friendlysupporttoobtainspecialprivilegesordevelopaspecialrelationshipthatgoesbeyondthe boundariesofaprofessionalrelationship becomeverydependentuponyouorotherstaff beresistanttoauthorityor becriticalofyouorotherswhoareworkingwiththem. Thegenuinedistressthepatientfeelsmaybeexperiencedbytheotherpersonasmanipulation.
Organisational relationships
Theintensefeelingsanddisturbedbehavioursandrelationshipscommonlyaffectbothstaffteamsandtherelationships betweendepartments.Forexample,thepatientmayidealiseanddenigratedifferentmembersofstaffcausingthefavoured staffmembertodoubtthegoodwillorprofessionalabilityofthedenigratedone.Thismaycausedivisionandconflict withinthehealthcarestaffteamandthehealthcarestaffandotherstaff,egdisciplineofficers,probationofficers,chaplain, psychologist. Differential diagnosis Personalitydisordercommonlycoexistswithmentaldisorder.Ahistoryfromarelativeorclosefriendmaybeusefulto distinguishthetwo.Personalitydisorderisadisorderofrelatingtoothersandthosesymptomsbecomevisiblein relationshipswithothers.Thesymptomsofmentalillnessarevisiblewhenthepatientisalone.Inmentalillness,the patientsbehaviourbecomesdifferentfromwhatisnormalforthatpatient.Inpersonalitydisorder,thebehaviourisnormal forthatpatientbutisdifferentfromthenorminhis/herculture. Ifbehaviour,egoutofcharacteraggression,hasdevelopedforthefirsttimeinadulthood,isofrecentonsetoris temporary,considerthefollowing. DepressionandAnxietydisorders(pages47and33).Aggressionand/orirritabilitymaybeasignofdepression. Acuteorchronicpsychosis(pages11and36). Posttraumaticstressdisorder(page82). Adjustmentdisorder(page15). Abuseofstimulantsorhallucinogenicdrugs(seeDrugmisuse,page55). Medicalconditioncausingpersonalitychange,egbraininjury,dementia. Also,considerthepatientscultural,socialandfamilybackground.Checkthatthepersonsbehaviourisconstantacrossa numberofdifferentsettings.Forexample,ask:Doevenlittlethingsgetyouveryangry?Wasthistrueathomeaswellas hereinprison?Checktheavailablerecordssuchastheinmatemedicalrecord(IMR)andprobationrecords.Ifcriminal behaviourisundertakenforgainandotherfeaturesareabsent,considernomentalorbehaviouraldisorder. Diagnosisofpersonalitydisorderisdifficultasmanyofthediagnosticfeaturesarepresent(thoughinalesserdegree)in allpeople.Aformaldiagnosisofpersonalitydisordershouldonlybemadebyaspecialistandwherethereisreasonto
believethatsuchadiagnosiswillleadtothepatientbeingofferedimprovedmanagement,egassessmentformedicationor transfertoatherapeuticprison. Comorbidity Apersonmayhaveapersonalitydisorderandamentaldisorder.Mentaldisorder(egpsychosis,anxiety,depression)may emergeintimesofstress.Forexample,apersonalitydisorderedprisonerspendingtimeinsegregationmayexperience psychoticsymptoms. Selfharm(egcutting,drugoverdoses)iscommoninborderlineandantisocialtypes,especiallywheretherearerealor perceivedrelationshipproblems,rejectionsorlosses. Depressionandsubstanceabuse arecommonandincreasetheriskofsuicide. Someonewithpersonalitydisordermayexperiencepsychoticepisodeswhenunderparticularstress. Mostpeopleinprisonwithpersonalitydisordershowfeaturesofmorethanonetypeofpersonalitydisorder. Information for the patient and primary support group Withpatientpermission,thefollowinginformationmaybegiventoothers. Changeispossiblebutitisverydifficultandrequiresinsight(ietheabilitytoseethatthepatientplayssomepartin causingormaintaininghis/herowndistress;thatitisnotallthefaultofothers)andsubstantialmotivation.Wherethat motivationispresent,longtermspecialisttreatmentisrequired. Depression,anxiety,transientpsychoticillnessandsubstanceabusecanbetreated. Problemsolvingskillscanhelpthepatientcopewithparticularproblems,buttheywillnotchangetheoverallpersonality. Treatmentofanysort(includingforassociatedconditions)requiresthepatientsactiveinvolvement.Therelationshipwith theprofessional(s)concernediscrucial. Advice and support to the patient
All patients
thetiminganddurationofappointments donotbuyorbringthingsinforpatients donotdiscussyourownpersonaldetailswiththemand donotdevelopaspecialrelationshipthatissecretfromyourcolleagues. Behonest,thoughsympathetic,incommunications.Keeppromises;conversely,donotmakepromisesyoucannotkeep. Communicatewithothersinyourteamand,asmuchasispossiblewithinconfidentiality,withstaffinotherdepartments whoareinvolvedwiththepatient.Tellthemabouttheapproachyouaretaking.Ensureaconsistentapproach. Treatcomorbidconditions. Focusonimmediate,everydayproblems.Theaimisnottocurethepersonalitydisorderbuttohelpthepatientdealwith everydaylife. Liaise,withthepatientspermission,withotherstaffwhomaybeabletohelpaddressanyimmediate,practicalproblem. Forexample,wingstaffaboutbullying,probationaboutresettlementfollowingrelease.Beawareofthepotentialfor divisionandconflictbetweenstaff(see Organisationalrelationships above).Ifproblemsoccur,tryseeingthepatient togetherwiththeotherstaffconcerned. Supportandreinforceanylegalactionsorintereststhatdevelopselfesteem,egwork,creativity,education,exercise.Help themtodevelopanyexistingstrengths,butaimlow.Modestsuccesscanbuildintolargergainslater;failurescanundo goodwork.
Antisocial behaviours
Paranoid behaviours
Assessdangerousness,especiallyifthepatientisaggressiveaswellasparanoid.Beawareofhiddenweaponsasparanoid
patientsmayhideweaponstoprotectthemselves. Avoidoverfriendlyorinquisitivebehaviourbeprofessional. Listentothepatientsconcerns. Acceptbutdonotconfirmthepatientsbeliefs. Planclearandmutualgoals,egHowcanweworkthisouttogether? Explaineverything,alltreatments,medications,etc. Empathisewiththepatientsanxiety,egIrealiseitcanbeupsettingtotalkaboutyourselftosomeoneyoudontknow well.Ifyouhavequestions,pleaseask. Shareinformationwiththepatient,egallowhim/hertoreadlettersyouhavewrittenabouthim/her.Writelettersbearing inmindthatthepatientmayseeacopyatsomestage. Keepcarefulnotes,documentinginteractionswhereappropriate.Paranoidpatientsmaybelitigious.
Ifhostilityorparanoiaisfocusedonaparticularinmate,memberofstaff,ortypeofinmatesuchasaparticularethnic
group,makestaffaware.Stepsshouldbetakentoprotectstaffandinmateswhomaybeinvolvedinthepatientsparanoid thinking.Forexample,aparanoidinmateshouldnotshareacell. Recommendthatthesepatientshaveanexperiencedofficeraspersonalofficer.Thereshouldnotbeonlyoneunskilled personworkingalone. Ensurethemanagerofthewing/unitwherethepatientislocatedhasacopyoftheinformationsheeton Personality Disorders,whichisonthedisk. Theprisonregimeisanimportantpartofmanagement.Discusswork,education,exerciseandopportunitiestobecreative. Staffworkingwiththisgroupofindividuals,whetheronwingsorinthehealthcarecentre,needsupervisionandsupport topreventbreachesofroleboundaries,egdevelopingaspecialrelationshipthatissecretfromcolleagues. Forverychallengingpatients,identifyacore,multidisciplinarygroup(wingmanager,psychologistandothersas appropriate)todevelopandmonitoramanagementplan. Medication Offertreatmentforassociatedillness. SeeDepressionandAnxiety(pages47and33)foradviceonmedicationfortheseconditions.Ifthepatientis abusing substances,interactionswithprescribedmedicationarepossibleandtheefficacyofantidepressantsislessened. Benzodiazepinesshouldbeavoidedbecauseofpossibleinteractionswithillegalsubstances. Peoplewithapersonalitydisordermaysufferepisodesof psychosiswhenunderstress.Forinformationabout medication,seepage70. Therearenodrugsforthetreatmentofpersonalitydisorder.Medicationmaybetriedforcertainbehaviouralproblems, thoughevidenceofeffectivenessisweak.Carefulassessmentofthebenefitversussideeffectsmustbemade.Decisions aboutpatientconsentandcapacityarealsoparticularlydifficult.Therefore,acarefulclinicalevaluationbyaspecialistis requiredbeforemedicationforthelongtermtreatmentofbehavioursassociatedwithpersonalitydisorderisstarted. 119If thereisapoorrelationshipbetweentheclinicianandpatient,thereisadangerofmedicationbeingusedbytheclinician purelyforcontrolorbythepatienttoselfharm,ortoselltoothers.Drugsthataspecialistmayprescribeinclude: Sedativeantipsychotics:maybehelpfulifparanoidordissocialbehavioursareprominentandthepatientishighly aroused. Antipsychoticdrugs:mayhelppatientswhoharmthemselvesimpulsivelyandthosewhodisplaysymptomssuggestive of(butfallingshortof)frankpsychoticillness. 120 Serotoninreuptakeinhibitor(SSRI)antidepressants :havebeenreportedasusefulinreducingaggressioninsome patientswithdissocialandborderlinepersonalitydisorder. 121 Carbamazepinetreatment :hasbeenshowntohelpreduceaggressivebehaviour,especiallyinpatientswithahistoryof headinjury,genuineamnesiaforassaults,the djvuphenomenon,olfactoryhallucinationsandabnormalitiesshownby electroencephalographyorbrainimaging. 122Carefulmonitoringisrequired. Dealing with cutting or self-harm in the context of personality disorder Admissiontopsychiatrichospitalorprisonhealthcarecentreshouldbefortreatmentofcomorbiddisordersorindicatedby suiciderisk.Admissionshouldbepartofacarefullypreparedcrisisplan,agreedinadvancebyallparties.Inpatient contracts,drawnupandsignedbythepatientandstaff,maybehelpfulbutmustnotmakesupportcontingentonceasingof theselfharmingbehaviourimmediatelyandshouldnotbedrawnupwhencliniciansareangry(forfurtheradvice,see Assessmentandmanagementfollowinganactofselfharm, page211).Noteveryonewhocuts,burnsorotherwise mutilatesthemselvesdisplaysthefullpatternofbehaviourofapersonalitydisorder. Specialist consultation or referral Referurgentlytomentalhealthservicesif: paranoiaismarked,excessive,thereisapasthistoryofextremeviolenceandthepatientisthreateningviolence(forensic servicesaretobepreferred,ifavailable)and psychoticillnessisevident. Referforassessmenttomentalhealthservicesifyouareunsureifthediagnosisispersonalitydisorder,mentalillnessor both.
Althoughtheevidencebaseforthefollowingtreatmentsispoor,thesepsychologicalinterventionsmaybeusefulfor patientsmotivatedtoundertakethem. Angermanagement : Ifthepatientshowsproblemscontrollingandexpressinganger,iftheyhaveno,oronlyverymild,paranoidfeatures, andtheycandiscusstheirownbehaviour,angermanagementmaybeusefulinreducingmaladaptivebehaviouratleast intheshortterm. 123 Ifproblemsincontrollingangeroraggressionhaveledtothecrimethepatienthascommittedandthepatienthasat least1yearoftheirsentencestilltoserve,thepatientmaybeeligibleforoneoftherelevantPrisonServiceoffending behaviourcourses. Formoredetails,seeOffendingbehaviourprogrammes (page117). Structuredproblemsolvingmaybeusefulforassociatedproblemsthattriggerselfharmingbehaviour,thoughithasnot beentestedspecificallyinpersonalitydisorderedpatients. 120 Assertivenesstraining,anxietymanagement,socialskillstrainingorcognitivebehaviourtherapy mayhelpifthe patientischronicallyoveranxious,dependentandfearful. 124 Dialecticalbehaviourtherapy hasbeenshowntoreducethefrequencyofdeliberateselfharminpeoplewithemotionally unstable(borderline)personalitydisorder.Thistherapyiscomplicatedandtimeintensivetoadminister. 125 Psychotherapy forpersonalitydisorderedpatientsneedstobelongnotshortterm. 119 ConsiderreferraltoHMPGrendonUnderwoodifthepatienthas: acuriosityandawishtotelltheirstory psychologicalmindedness motivation abilitytoseethatotherpeoplemighthaveanotherpointofview morethan2yearsleftincurrentsentence noappealagainsttheirsentence,currentorpending objectiveevidenceofbeingfreeofsubstancemisusefor6months nopsychoactivemedicationfor3monthsorwhileatGrendonor satisfactoryreportsfromthewingofficer,probationofficer,chaplain,psychologistandmedicalofficer. Otherprisontreatmentcentres(TCs)includeHMPWormwoodScrubs(MaxGlittUnit),HMPDovegateTCandthelifers TCatHMPGartree.
Prerelease plans
Ensurepatientsareassessedingoodtimeforboththeriskandtreatmentfacilitiesthatmayhelpthemiftheyarewillingto engageintreatment.Thisisparticularlyimportantforemotionallyunstablepatientswhoreactbadlytorealorimagined abandonment. Fordetailsofprereleaseplanningappropriateforallpatients,see ManagingtheinterfacewiththeNHSandother agencies(page149). Facilitiesthatprovideservicesforpeoplewithapersonalitydisorderincludethefollowing. HendersonHospital:acentrallyfundedoutreachservicebasedinBirminghamandCrewethattreatspeoplewith enduringemotional,relationshipandbehaviouralproblems,includingimpulsive,violentandselfharmingbehaviourand otherassociatedproblems.PatientsareexpectedtobefreeofmedicationandnotcurrentlydetainedundertheMental HealthAct1983.SouthEastandLondonNHSRegions,contact:DrAlexEsterhuyzen,HendersonHospital,2Homeland Drive,SuttonSM25LT.Tel:02086611611.WestMidlandsandSouthWestNHSRegions,contact:DrIanBirtle,Main House,c/oSouthBirminghamMentalHealthNHSTrustTherapeuticCommunityService,22SummerRoad,Acocks Green,BirminghamB277UT.Tel:01216783244;NorthernandNorthWestNHSRegions,contact:DrKeithHyde,Webb House,c/oMentalHealthServicesofSalford,VictoriaAvenue,CreweCW27SQ.Tel:01270580770.Forpatientsfrom outsidetheseareasorthosefromScotland,WalesandNorthernIreland,contacttheNHSMentalHealthTrustnearestthe patientshomeaddress. CassellHospital:treatswomenwithlessseverepersonalitydisorders.1HamCommon,RichmondTW107JF.Tel:020 89408181. FrancisDixonLodge:providesgrouporientatedselfhelpprogrammesforthosewithpersonalityandemotional difficulties.GipsyLane,LeicesterLE50TD. Tel:01162256800.
Resources for patients and primary support groups Listenerorbuddyscheme.Wherethepatientisconsidereddangerous,stepsshouldbetakentoprotectlisteners,eg personalalarms AlcoholicsAnonymous: 08457697555(24hourhelpline) (GivestelephonesupportnumbersandselfhelpgroupsacrosstheUKformenandwomentryingtoachieveand maintainsobriety) Borderlinewebsite: URL:http://www.BPDCentral.com (Mainlyforfamiliesofpeoplewithborderlinepersonalitydisorder) GamblersAnonymous: 02073843040 POBox88,LondonSW100EU (Providesadviceandsupporttopatientswithaddiction/habitdisorders) NarcoticsAnonymous: 02077300009(helpline);02072514007(office) 202CityRoad,LondonEC1V2PH (Providesadviceandsupporttopatientswithdrugdisorders) Samaritans:08457909090 UnderstandingPersonalityDisorders.Availablefrom:MINDPublications, 1519Broadway,LondonE154BQ.Tel:02085192122.Leafletwithstraightforwardexplanations.Itisusefulforfamily members,staffandothers
Presenting complaints Patientsmayavoidorrestrictactivitiesbecauseoffear.Theymayhavedifficultytravellingintheprisontransportvan, takingpartinassociationoreatinginfrontofothers.Somecommonphobias(egagoraphobia,socialphobia)maynot manifestinclosedprisonconditions,butmaybecomeevidentwhenthepatienttransferstomoreopenconditions. Patientssometimespresentwithphysicalsymptoms,egpalpitations,shortnessofbreathorasthma.Questioningwill revealspecificfears. Diagnostic features Thepatientexperiencesanunreasonablystrongfearofpeople,specificplacesorevents.Patientsoftenavoidthesesituations altogether. Commonlyfearedsituationsinclude: eatinginpublic openspaces beingconfinedinanenclosedspace crowdsorpublicplaces travellinginbuses,cars,trainsorplanesor socialevents. Patientsmayavoidbeingalonebecauseoffear. Differential diagnosis
PanicdisorderF41.0(page67)ifanxietyattacksareprominentandnotbroughtonbyanythinginparticular. DepressionF32#(page47)ifaloworsadmoodisprominent.
Panicdisorderanddepressionmaycoexistwithphobias. Manyoftheguidelinesbelowalsomaybehelpfulforspecific(simple)phobias,egfearofwaterorofheights. Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Moveontoaslightlymoredifficultstepandrepeattheprocedure,egeatamealinthecellbutsitwithafriendin thediningareaanddrinkacupofcoffee. Takenoantianxietymedicineforatleast4hoursbeforepractisingthesesteps. Askafriendormemberofthehealthcarestafftohelpplanexercisestoovercomethefear.Selfhelpgroupscanassistin confrontingfearedsituations. Keepadiaryoftheconfrontationexperiencesdescribedabovetoallowstepbystepmanagement. Avoidusingbenzodiazepinestocopewithfearedsituations. Medication Withtheuseofthesebehaviouralmethods,manypatientswillnotneedmedication. N105 Ifdepressionisalsopresent,antidepressantmedicationmaybeindicated.Paroxetinemaybehelpfulinsocialphobia N126 (seeBNF,Section4.3.3). Encouragepatientstofacefearswithouttheuseofbenzodiazepines.Wherethefearedsituationisrare,however, occasionalshorttermuseofantianxietymedicationmaybehelpful. N115Regularusemayleadtodependenceandis likelytoresultinareturnofsymptomswhenitisdiscontinued. Formanagementofperformanceanxiety,egfearofpublicspeaking, blockersmayreducethephysicalsymptoms. 109 Referral SeeGeneralreferralcriteria (page152). Nonurgentreferraltothesecondarymentalhealthservicesisadvised: ifdisablingfearspersistand topreventproblemswithlongtermsicknessanddisability. Ifavailable,cognitivebehaviouralpsychotherapyandexposure 127maybeeffectiveforpatientswhodonotimprovewith simplemeasuresoutlinedabove. Recommendselfhelp/nonstatutory/voluntaryservices,egTriumphOverPhobia,inallothercaseswheresymptoms persist.
Resources for patients and primary support groups StresswatchScotland:01563574144(helpline);01563570886(office) (Advice,information,materialsonpanic,anxiety,stressphobias.Thirtyfivelocalgroups) TriumphOverPhobia(TOP)UK: 01225330353 (Structuredselfhelpgroupsforthosesufferingfromphobiasorobsessivecompulsivedisorder.Producesselfhelp materials) Resourceleaflet: ManagingAnxiety IsaacMarks.LivingWithFear.NewYork:McGrawHill.Selfhelpmanual
Historyofastressfuleventorsituation(eithershortorlonglasting)ofanexceptionallythreateningorcatastrophicnature,
whichislikelytocausepervasivedistresstoalmostanyone.Thetriggereventmayhaveresultedindeathorinjuryand/or thepatientmayhaveexperiencedintensehorror,fearorhelplessness. Intrusivesymptoms:memories,flashbacks,nightmares. Avoidancesymptoms:avoidanceofthoughts,activities,situationsandcuesreminiscentofthetrauma,withasenseof numbness,emotionalblunting,detachmentfromotherpeople,unresponsivenesstosurroundingsoranhedonia. Symptomsofautonomicarousal,eghypervigilance,increasedstartlereaction,insomnia,irritability,excessiveangerand impairedconcentrationand/ormemory. Symptomsofanxietyand/ordepression. Drugand/oralcoholabusearecommonlyassociatedwiththiscondition. Significantfunctionalimpairment. Wherethetraumaticeventisrelatedtotheindexoffence,thepatientmaybereluctanttotalkaboutit,especiallybeforethe trial,thuscomplicatingadiagnosis. Differential diagnosis
Traumaticorlifethreateningeventsoftenhavepsychologicaleffects.Forthemajority,symptomswillsubsidewith
minimalintervention.TheinformationleafletReactionstoTraumaticStress:WhattoExpectonthediskmaybehelpfulin reinforcinginformation.Ifthepatienthasreadingdifficulties,amemberofthehealthcareteamoranothermemberof staffmaybeabletodiscussitscontentswithhim/her. Forthosewhocontinuetoexperiencesymptoms,effectivetreatmentsareavailable. Posttraumaticstressdisorder(PTSD)isnotaweaknessanddoesnotmeanthepatienthasgonemad.Thepatientneeds supportandunderstandingandmustnottobetoldtosnapoutofit. Advice and support to the patient and primary support group
Educatethepatientand,withpatientpermission,staffaboutPTSD,thushelpingthemunderstandthepatientschangesin Avoidingdiscussionabouttheeventthattriggeredtheconditionisusuallyunhelpful,butbeawareofculturaldifferences
attitudeandbehaviour. inthewaysofcopingwithpastdifficulties.Encouragethepatienttotalkabouttheeventwhentheyarereadyandintheir
Explaintheroleofavoidanceofcuesassociatedwiththetraumainreinforcingandmaintainingfearsanddistress.
ownway.Thismayincludenottalkingaboutmoreextremeexperiences.Therecognitionthatcertainexperiencesare therebutunutterablecanbepositive. 1
Encouragethepatienttofaceavoidedactivitiesandsituationsgradually.Itmaybepossibletoinvolvestaffinsupporting thepatientinthis,egininitiallyaccompanyingthepatientintoanareawheretheywereassaultedandarenowavoiding. Explainthatsuppressionofpainfulmemoriesandthoughtsmayreinforcethemandmakethemmorepersistent. Encouragethepatient,ifpossible,simplytoallowthethoughtstopassthroughhis/herheadandnottosuppressthem actively. Wherethepatienthasbecomescaredofgoingtosleepbecauseofrepeatednightmares,itmaybehelpfulforthemtotalk withsomeonetheytrustaboutthedream,ortowriteitdown,describingitindetail,perhapsseveraltimes,andtoremind themselvesItsadream.Itcannothurtme. Askaboutsuiciderisk,particularlyifmarkeddepressionispresent(see Assessingandmanagingpeopleatriskof suicide,page204). Encouragethepatienttouseanyexisting,availablesourcesofsupportorsolace,egchaplainandotherreligiousleaders, traditionalhealers,friends,listeners/buddies,theSamaritans. Trytoavoidusingcigarettesorotherdrugstocopewithanxiety. Medication
Referral to the secondary mental-health services is advised if the patient is still having severe intrusive experiences and avoidance symptoms, and there is a marked functional disability despite the above measures. If available, consider behaviour therapy (exposure) or cognitive techniques.N129,N130 The specialist assessment should include cultural factors. Where possible, advise patients of agencies able to provide appropriate therapy after release.
SeeImmigrationdetainees andPeoplewhohavebeensexuallyassaulted (pages326and260)formoreinformation abouttheneedsofthesegroups. Resources for patients and primary support groups CombatStress:01372841600 (FormerlyknownastheExServicesMentalWelfareAssociation,itsupportsmenandwomendischargedfromthearmed servicesandMerchantNavywhosufferfrommentalhealthproblems,includingPTSD.Hasaregionalnetworkof welfareofficerswhovisitpeopleathomeorinhospital.Somepracticalandfinancialhelp) MedicalFoundationfortheCareofVictimsofTorture: 02078137777 (Providessurvivorsoftorturewithmedicaltreatment,socialassistanceandpsychotherapeuticsupport) RefugeeSupportCentre:02078203606 (Providescounsellingtorefugees,asylumseekers;plustrainingandinformationtohealthandsocialcareprofessionals onpsychosocialneedsofrefugees) TraumaAftercareTrust(TACT):08001696814(24hourfreephonehelpline);01242890306 (Providesinformationaboutcounsellingandtreatment) VictimSupportSupportline:08453030900(MondayFriday,9am9pm;SaturdayandSunday,9am7pm;Bank Holidays,9am5pm);02077359166 (Emotionalandpracticalsupportforvictimsofcrime)
1ProfessorPapadopoulos,TavistockClinicRefugeeCentre,personalcommunication,quotedinCVSConsultantsandMigrantandRefugee CommunityForum.AShatteredWorld:TheMentalHealthNeedsofRefugeesandNewlyArrivedCommunities.London:CVSConsultants,1999.
Presenting complaints Patientsmaybereluctanttodiscusssexualmatters.Theymayinsteadcomplainofphysicalsymptoms,depressedmoodor relationshipproblems.Theremayhavebeensexualabuseinchildhoodorlater. Patientsmayaskforadviceaboutproblemswithpartnersoutside,orinside,theprison.Theymaybeconfusedabouttheir sexualorientation.Theymayaskforhelpinadjustingtosexuallifestylechangesthatrelateonlytotheirtimeinprison. Occasionally,arequestforhelpwithgenderreassignmentmaybemade. Specialproblemsmayoccurinculturalminorities. Patientsmaypresentsexualproblemsduringaroutinecervicalsmeartest. Diagnostic features Commonsexualdisorderspresentinginwomenare: alackorlossofsexualdesire,arousalorenjoyment vaginismusorspasmodiccontractionofvaginalmusclesonattemptedpenetration dyspareunia(paininthevaginaorpelvicregionduringintercourse)or anorgasmia(aninabilitytoachieveorgasmorclimax). Differential diagnosis
Ifaloworsadmoodisprominent,seeDepressionF32#(page47).Depressionmaycauselowdesire,ormayresult
fromsexualandrelationshipproblems. Relationshipproblems:wherethereispersistentdiscordintherelationship,relationshipcounsellingshouldprecedeor accompanyspecifictreatmentofthesexualdysfunction. Gynaecologicaldisorders,egvaginalinfections,pelvicinfections(salpingitis)andotherpelviclesions(egtumoursor cysts),althoughvaginismusrarelyhasaphysicalcause.Gynaecologicalcomplaintsanddisordersarecommoninwomen inprison.Itisimportanttotakethemseriouslyandconsiderinvestigationandreferraltospecialistphysicalhelpas appropriate. Adjustmenttosexuallifestylechangesintheprisonsituation,egtemporarylesbianismorbisexuality.Considergiving sexualhealthinformationandcounselling.Considerthepossibilitythatthepatientisbeingexploitedorbullied. Alcoholintoxicationandchronicabuseofillicitdrugs(egopioids,cocaine,amphetamines,sedatives,anxiolytics)may decreasesexualinterestandcausearousalproblems. Sideeffectsofmedication,egselectiveserotoninreuptakeinhibitor(SSRI)antidepressants,oralcontraceptives, blockers. Physicalillnessesmaycontribute,egmultiplesclerosis,diabetes,spinalinjury Lackofdesiremayberelatedtoconfusionaboutsexualorientation,especiallyinyoungpeople. Rarely,sexualproblemsmayrelatetothepatientsfeelingthatsheisreallyamanandthatshewishestobecomeaman physically.Thisisverydifficulttomanageinprisonastheusualcommunitymanagement(livingasamanand/or treatmentwithmalehormonesforatleast1yearbeforeanyirreversiblesurgicalstepsaretaken)isespeciallydifficult.Be awareofthedangerofbullyingandofseriousselfmutilation.Obtainexpertadvice,includingfromtheprisonHealth PolicyUnit,andrefertoaforensicpsychiatrist,whomayinturnrefertoagenderidentityclinic.Considerrelocation withintheprisontoreducetheriskofbullying. Lack or loss of sexual desire
Patientsmaybereluctanttodiscusssexualmatters.Theymaycomplaininsteadofphysicalsymptoms,depressedmoodor relationshipproblems. Patientsmayaskforadviceaboutproblemswithpartnersoutside,orinside,theprison.Theymaybeconfusedabouttheir sexualorientation.Theymayaskforhelpinadjustingtosexuallifestylechangesthatrelateonlytotheirtimeinprison. Occasionally,arequestforhelpwithgenderreassignmentmaybemade. Specialproblemsmayoccurindifferentcultures.Sexualproblemsareoftensomatised,expectationsmaybehigh,and psychologicalexplanationsandtherapiesmaynotbereadilyaccepted. Diagnostic features Commonsexualdisorderspresentinginmenare: erectiledysfunctionorimpotence prematureejaculation retardedejaculationororgasmicdysfunction(intravaginalejaculationisgreatlydelayedorabsentbutejaculationcan oftenoccurnormallyduringmasturbation)or alackorlossofsexualdesire. Differential diagnosis
DepressionF32#(page47). Problemsinrelationshipswithpartnersoftencontributetosexualdisorder,especiallythoseofdesire.Wherethereis
persistentdiscordintherelationship,relationshipcounsellingshouldprecedeoraccompanyspecifictreatmentofthe sexualdysfunction. Adjustmenttosexuallifestylechangesintheprisonsituation,egtemporaryhomosexualityorbisexuality.Considergiving sexualhealthinformation,counsellingaboutharmminimisationandaccesstocondoms.Considerthepossibilitythatthe patientisbeingexploitedorbullied(see Victimsofsexualassault,page260). Alcoholintoxicationandchronicabuseofillicitdrugs(egopioids,cocaine,amphetamines,sedatives,anxiolytics)may decreasesexualinterestandcausearousalproblems. Rarelysexualproblemsmayrelatetothepatientsfeelingthatheisreallyawomanandthathewishestobecomea womanphysically.Thisisverydifficulttomanageinprisonastheusualcommunitymanagement(livingasawoman and/ortreatmentwithfemalehormonesforatleast1yearbeforeanyirreversiblesurgicalstepsaretaken)isespecially difficult.Beawareofthedangerofseriousselfmutilationandofbullying.Obtainexpertadvice,includingfromtheprison HealthPolicyUnit,andrefertoaforensicpsychiatrist,whomayinturnrefertoagenderidentityclinic.Consider relocationwithintheprisontoreducetheriskofbullying. Specificorganicpathologyisararecauseoforgasmicdysfunctionorprematureejaculation. Physicalfactorsthatmaycontributetoerectiledysfunctionincludealcoholabuseandchronicabuseofillicitdrugs(eg opioids,cocaine,amphetamines,sedatives,anxiolytics),diabetes,hypertension,smoking,medication(egantidepressants, antipsychotics,diureticsandblockers),multiplesclerosisandspinalinjury. Patientsmayhaveunreasonableexpectationsoftheirownperformance. Lackofdesiremayberelatedtoconfusionaboutsexualorientation,especiallyinyoungpeople. Erectile dysfunction (failure of genital response, impotence)
Medication
Oral:sildenafil50100mgtakenonanemptystomach4060minutesbeforeintercourseenhanceserectionsin80%of
patients,whetherthecauseispsychogenicorneurological. 131Bewareofdangerofinteractionwithcardiacnitrates(see BNF,Section7.4.5). Intraurethral:MUSE(prostaglandinE1)1251000ginserted10minutesbeforeintercourseproduceserectionsin4050% ofpatients 132(seeBNF,Section7.4.5). Intracavernosal:prostaglandinE1520ginjected10minutesbeforeintercourseproduceserectionsin8090%of patients, 133butlongtermacceptabilityislow. Thesemedicationsarelesseffectiveinpredominantlyvasculogeniccases. SeethecurrentNHSExecutiveguidelinesforprescriptionoftheabove,eitherprivatelyorontheNHS. Premature ejaculation
Resources for patients and primary support groups BeaumontSocietyInfoline:01582412220(24hours,7daysperweek) 27OldGloucesterStreet,LondonWC1N3XX (Nationalselfhelporganisationfortransvestites,transsexuals,andtheirpartnersandfamilies.Adviceandinformation onissuesofcrossdressingandgenderdysphoria;socialfunctions) BrookAdvisoryCentres:02076178000(24hourhelpline) (Freecounsellingandconfidentialadviceoncontraceptionandsexualmattersespeciallyforyoungpeople[thoseunder 25]) OutSideIn:01689835566 POBox119,HighStreet,OrpingtonBR69ZZ (Befriendingpenpalserviceforgayandlesbianprisoners) Relate:01788573241 (Relationshipcounsellingforcouplesorindividualsover16.Sextherapyforcouples.Clientspayonaslidingscale) Booksforwomen: HeimanJ,LoPiccoloJ.BecomingOrgasmic:ASexualGrowthProgramforWomen .EnglewoodCliffs:PrenticeHall,1988.Self helpexercisesforanorgasmia BrownP,FaulderC.TreatYourselftoSex.Harmondsworth:Penguin,1977 GoodwinAJ,AgroninMarcE,MD.AWomansGuidetoOvercomingSexualFearandPain .Oakland:NewHarbinger,1997 Booksformen: HowtoCopewithDoubtsAboutYourSexualIdentity andGenderDysphoria.Availablefor1.00eachfrom:Mind Publications,1519Broadway,LondonE154BQ.Tel:02085192122 Zilbergeld,B.MenandSex.London:Fontana,1980.Selfhelpexercisesforerectiledysfunctionandprematureejaculation YaffeM,FenwickE.SexualHappiness.London:DorlingKindersley,1986
Shorttermsleepproblemsmayresultfromstressfullifeeventssuchascomingintoprisonforthefirsttime,bullying, Persistentsleepproblemsmayindicateanothercause,forexample:
acutephysicalillnessesorchangesintheirschedule. DepressionF32# (page47)ifaloworsadmoodandlossofinterestinactivitiesareprominent. GeneralisedanxietyF41.1 (page64)ifdaytimeanxietyisprominent. PosttraumaticstressdisorderF43.1 (page82)ifthepatientfearsgoingtosleepbecauseofrepeatednightmares. Sleepproblemscanbeapresentingcomplaintofalcoholmisuseorsubstanceabuse(see AlcoholmisuseF10 or SubstanceabuseF11# ,pages18and55).Apatientmayalsoseekbenzodiazepinesbecausehe/sheisstilldependentupon them.Enquireabouttheircurrentsubstanceuseandthepresenceofotherwithdrawalsymptoms.Withdrawalfrom benzodiazepinesneedssometimestobeverygradual(monthsnotweeks) Profoundsleepdeprivationisapartoftheexperienceofmajordrugwithdrawal.Sleepproblemsmaypersistforsome weeksthereafter.Treatmentmaybeindicatedduringtheveryearlystagesofwithdrawal. Considermedicalconditionsthatmaycauseinsomnia,egheartfailure,pulmonarydisease,painconditions. Considermedicationsthatmaycauseinsomnia,egsteroids,theophylline,decongestants,someantidepressantdrugs. Considerlifestylecauses:thepatientmayspendmostofthedayasleepinhis/hercell. Ifthepatientsnoresloudlywhileasleep,considersleepapnoea.Itmaybehelpful,withpatientconsent,totakeahistory fromthecellmate.Patientswithsleepapnoeaoftencomplainofdaytimesleepinessbutareunawareofnighttime awakenings. Thepatientmaybeseekingdrugstosellormaybebeingpressuredbyotherstoobtaindrugsontheirbehalf.Wingstaff mayhaveusefulinformationwherethisissuspected. Essential information for the patient and primary support group
Encouragethepatienttomaintainaregularsleeproutineby:
relaxingintheevening keepingtoregularhoursforgoingtobedandgettingupinthemorning,tryingnottovarythescheduleorsleepinon theweekend gettingupattheregulartimeevenifthepreviousnightssleepwaspoorand avoidingdaytimenapssincetheycandisturbthenextnightssleep. Daytimeexercisecanhelpthepatienttosleepregularly,buteveningexercisemaycontributetoinsomnia.Consider promotingdaytimeexercisethroughcustody/sentenceplanning. Simplemeasuresmayhelp,egamilkdrinkoruseofearplugsoreyeshades. Recommendrelaxationexercisestohelpthepatienttofallasleep. Advisethepatienttoavoidcaffeineintheevenings.
Ifthepatientcannotfallasleepwithin30minutes,advisehim/hertogetupandtryagainlaterwhenfeelingsleepy. Selfhelpleafletsandbooksmaybeuseful.TheGettingaGoodNightsSleepleafletonthediskincludesarelaxationexercise
.Ifthepatienthasreadingdifficulties,amemberofthehealthcareteamoranothermemberofstaffmaybeabletogo throughthecontentsoftheleafletwiththepatient. Sleepdiariesareoftenusefulintheassessmentandmonitoringofprogress. Medication
DrugusedisordersF11#(page55),egseekingnarcoticsforreliefofpain. Ifloworsadmoodisprominent,seeDepressionF32#(page47).Peoplewithdepressionareoftenunawareofeveryday
physicalachesandpains. GeneralisedanxietydisorderF41.1(page64),ifanxietysymptomsareprominent. PanicdisorderF41.0(page67)misinterpretationofthesomaticsignsassociatedwithpanic. ChronicmixedanxietyanddepressionF41.2 (page33). AcutepsychoticdisordersF23 (page11)ifstrangebeliefsaboutsymptomsarepresent,egbeliefthatorgansare decaying. Anorganiccausemayeventuallybediscoveredforthephysicalsymptoms.Psychologicalproblemscancoexistwith physicalproblems. Depression,anxiety,alcoholordrugdisordersmaycoexistwithunexplainedsomaticcomplaints. Essential information for the patient and primary support group
patientneednotwaituntilallsymptomsaregonebeforeundertakingactivities.Ifnecessary,advocateforincreasedaccessto appropriateactivities.Ifthepatientisundercellularconfinement,advocateforaccesstoartmaterialsand,ifliterate,toreading materials. Beexplicitearlyonaboutconsideringpsychologicalissues.Theexclusionofillnessandexplorationofemotionalaspects canhappeninparallel.Investigationsshouldhaveaclearindication.Itmaybehelpfultosaytothepatient,Ithinkthis resultisgoingtobenormal. Offerappropriatereassurance,egnotallheadachesindicateabraintumour.Advisepatientsnottofocusonmedical worries. Discusstheemotionalstressespresentwhenthesymptomsarose. Explainthelinksbetweenstressandphysicalsymptomsandhowaviciouscyclecandevelop,egStresscancausea tighteningofthemusclesinthegut.Thiscanleadtothedevelopmentofabdominalpainorworseningofexistingpain. Thepainaggravatesthetighteningofthegutmuscles.Adiagrammaybehelpful. Relaxationmethodscanhelprelievesymptomsrelatedtotension,egheadache,neckorbackpain.
Treatassociateddepression,anxietyorsubstancemisuseproblems. Forpatientswithmorechroniccomplaints,timelimitedappointmentsthatareregularlyscheduledcanpreventmore
frequent,urgentvisits. 140 Structuredproblemsolvingmethodsmayhelppatientstomanagecurrentlifeproblemsorstressesthatcontributeto symptoms. 48 Helpthepatientto: identifytheproblem listasmanypossiblesolutionsasthepatientcanthinkof listtheadvantagesanddisadvantagesofeachpossiblesolution(thepatientshoulddothis,perhapsbetween appointments) supportthepatientinchoosinghis/herpreferredapproach helpthepatienttoworkoutthestepsnecessarytoachievetheplanand setadatetoreviewtheplan.Identifyandreinforcethingsthatareworking. Medication Avoidunnecessarydiagnostictestingorprescriptionofnewmedicationforeachnewsymptom.Rationalisepolypharmacy. Wheredepressionisalsopresent,anantidepressantmaybeindicated(see DepressionF32#,page47) Lowdosesoftricyclicantidepressant(TCA)medication(egamitriptyline,50100mgday1,orimipramine,20mgday1) maybehelpfulinsomecases,egwherethereisheadacheoratypicalchestpain. 141,142 Referral
Patientsarebestmanagedinprimaryhealthcaresettings.Consistencyofapproachwithinthepracticeisessential.Seeing
thesamepersonishelpful.Considerreferraltoapartnerorothermedicalofficerforasecondopinion.Documenting discussionswithcolleaguescanreducestressbysharingresponsibilitywithintheprimarycareteam. Nonurgentreferraltothesecondarymentalhealthservicesisadvisedongroundsoffunctionaldisability,especiallyan inabilitytowork,andforthedurationofsymptoms. Cognitivebehaviourtherapy,ifavailable,mayhelpsomepatients,thoughthewillingnessofpatientstoparticipateis sometimespoor.N143 Refertoaliaisonpsychiatrist,ifavailable,forthosewhopersistintheirbeliefthattheyhaveaphysicalcausefortheir symptoms,despitegoodevidencetothecontrary. Avoidmultiplereferralstomedicalspecialists.Documenteddiscussionswithappropriatemedicalspecialistsmaybe helpfulfromtimetotimeas,insomecases,underlyingphysicalillnesseventuallyemerges. Resources for patients and primary support groups Listeners,buddies,chaplainsandpersonalofficersmayofferemotionalsupportand/orhelpwithpracticalproblems Resourceleaflets: CopingwithDepression GettingaGoodNightsSleep ManagingAnxiety.Containsinstructionsforarelaxationexercise