Clinical Psychopharmacology Study Guide
Answers for all Exams 2024
Depression (Major Clinical Features and Differential Diagnosis) - correct ansDistinguish between:
Reactive sadness
Grief
Medical Illness (medications included)
Clinical depression
Dysthymia
How does grief differ from clinical depression - correct ansNo significant loss of self esteem
Pt relates sadness to the loss
Provider should be aware that grief has developed into depression by: sleep disturbances, loss of
normal life activities, agitation, suicidal ideations
Medical disorders and medications that can cause depression - correct ansHypothyroidism (most
common)
Minor tranquilizers/ benzodiazepines
Caffeine
(List of complete medical conditions and medications pg4-5 Clinical Psychopharmacology)
Characteritics of Depression - correct ansSIGECAPS
Sleep
Interest
Guilt
Enery
, Concentration
Apetite
Psychomotor
Suicidal
Choosing a Medication (depression) - correct ansAnxiety, agitation, obsessional thoughts,
rumination, irritability, aggression, pronounced suicidality- use SSRIs
Apathy, low energy, anhedonia, low motivation, - use dopamine or noradrenergic inhibitors
Treating depression - correct ans1)Start with a typical antidepressant (adequate trial)
2)Augment for poor response after adequate trial
(Augementation includes: SSRI + Bupropion, T3, SSRI + stimulant, Buspirone, Aripiprazole,
Lithium)
3)Switch to another antidepressant
Mirtazapine, Venlafaxine, Duloxetine, MAO Inhibitor
4)ECT
Switching antidepressants (MAOI) - correct ansWait 2 weeks after discontinuing an antidepressant
before beginning a MAO inhibitor
Six weeks after discontinuing prozac to begin a MAOI
Drugs that may cause depression - correct ansAntihypertensives
Corticosteroids/hormones
Antiparkinson drugs
Antianxiety drugs
Birth control meds
Alcohol
Answers for all Exams 2024
Depression (Major Clinical Features and Differential Diagnosis) - correct ansDistinguish between:
Reactive sadness
Grief
Medical Illness (medications included)
Clinical depression
Dysthymia
How does grief differ from clinical depression - correct ansNo significant loss of self esteem
Pt relates sadness to the loss
Provider should be aware that grief has developed into depression by: sleep disturbances, loss of
normal life activities, agitation, suicidal ideations
Medical disorders and medications that can cause depression - correct ansHypothyroidism (most
common)
Minor tranquilizers/ benzodiazepines
Caffeine
(List of complete medical conditions and medications pg4-5 Clinical Psychopharmacology)
Characteritics of Depression - correct ansSIGECAPS
Sleep
Interest
Guilt
Enery
, Concentration
Apetite
Psychomotor
Suicidal
Choosing a Medication (depression) - correct ansAnxiety, agitation, obsessional thoughts,
rumination, irritability, aggression, pronounced suicidality- use SSRIs
Apathy, low energy, anhedonia, low motivation, - use dopamine or noradrenergic inhibitors
Treating depression - correct ans1)Start with a typical antidepressant (adequate trial)
2)Augment for poor response after adequate trial
(Augementation includes: SSRI + Bupropion, T3, SSRI + stimulant, Buspirone, Aripiprazole,
Lithium)
3)Switch to another antidepressant
Mirtazapine, Venlafaxine, Duloxetine, MAO Inhibitor
4)ECT
Switching antidepressants (MAOI) - correct ansWait 2 weeks after discontinuing an antidepressant
before beginning a MAO inhibitor
Six weeks after discontinuing prozac to begin a MAOI
Drugs that may cause depression - correct ansAntihypertensives
Corticosteroids/hormones
Antiparkinson drugs
Antianxiety drugs
Birth control meds
Alcohol
