Psychiatry Flashcards

A 50-year-old male with alcohol use disorder has a last drink 36 hours ago and now has tremors, diaphoresis, and a seizure. What is the most appropriate pharmacotherapy?

Answer: Lorazepam

Benzodiazepines (lorazepam) are first-line for alcohol withdrawal seizures due to cross-tolerance with GABA receptors.

Which cognitive distortion is most characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder?

Answer: Catastrophizing

Catastrophizing—assuming worst-case outcomes—is a hallmark cognitive distortion in generalized anxiety disorder.

A patient reports recurrent intrusive thoughts about harming her infant, accompanied by significant distress and avoidance. She does not want to act on these thoughts. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Answer: Obsessive-compulsive disorder, postpartum onset

Ego-dystonic, intrusive, and distressing thoughts with avoidance and no intent are characteristic of OCD, not psychosis.

Which finding best differentiates delirium from dementia?

Answer: Acute fluctuating course

Delirium is distinguished by its acute onset and fluctuating level of consciousness, unlike the gradual decline in dementia.

A 22-year-old college student has recurrent binge eating followed by self-induced vomiting twice weekly for 4 months. She is normal weight. What is the diagnosis?

Answer: Bulimia nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is defined by recurrent binge-purge cycles at least once weekly for 3 months in a person of normal or above-normal weight.

Which medication is FDA-approved for the treatment of bulimia nervosa?

Answer: Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine 60 mg/day is the only FDA-approved medication for bulimia nervosa.

A patient describes feeling detached from their own body and mind, as if they are an outside observer, for several weeks. Which condition best describes this?

Answer: Depersonalization/derealization disorder

Persistent depersonalization (detachment from self) with intact reality testing defines depersonalization/derealization disorder.