Psychiatric Disorders Exam Review: Diagnosis & Treatment for Physician Assistants

Psychiatric Disorders Exam Review: Diagnosis & Treatment for Physician Assistants

Book cover for A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants

Prepare for your physician assistant certification exam with this focused review of psychiatric disorders from A Comprehensive Review for the Certification and Recertification Examinations for Physician Assistants by Claire Babcock O'Connell and Thea Cogan-Drew. This summary covers the diagnostic criteria, clinical features, and treatment strategies for mood, anxiety, psychotic, somatic, personality, trauma-related, eating, substance-related, and childhood psychiatric conditions.

Watch the podcast summary above and subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more clinical reviews and PA exam prep.

Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders

  • DSM-5 Criteria: Psychiatric diagnoses require criteria from the DSM-5, focusing on functional impairment not due to other medical or substance causes.

Psychotic Disorders

  • Schizophrenia Spectrum: Includes brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform disorder, and schizophrenia. Key symptoms are positive (hallucinations, delusions), negative (apathy, anhedonia), and cognitive (memory, executive dysfunction). Treated with antipsychotics and behavioral interventions.
  • Schizoaffective & Delusional Disorder: Schizoaffective involves mood symptoms with psychosis; delusional disorder presents with persistent, non-bizarre delusions and preserved function.

Mood Disorders

  • Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): At least 2 weeks of depressive symptoms (SIG-E-CAPS). Managed with SSRIs/SNRIs and psychotherapy.
  • Bipolar Disorders: Bipolar I (manic +/- depression) and Bipolar II (hypomania + depression); treated with mood stabilizers and antipsychotics.
  • Persistent Depressive & Cyclothymic Disorders: Chronic, milder mood symptoms over extended periods.

Anxiety & Related Disorders

  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent worry, treated with SSRIs, SNRIs, and CBT.
  • Panic Disorder & Phobias: Panic attacks managed with medications and CBT; phobias treated with exposure therapy.
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors, managed with SSRIs and CBT.

Personality & Trauma-Related Disorders

  • Personality Disorders: Cluster A (paranoid, schizoid, schizotypal), B (antisocial, borderline, histrionic, narcissistic), and C (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive). Therapy is first-line, with medications for specific symptoms.
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Flashbacks, avoidance, hyperarousal after trauma; treated with SSRIs and therapy.

Eating, Substance-Related & Childhood Disorders

  • Anorexia & Bulimia Nervosa: Disturbed eating behaviors and compensatory mechanisms. Managed with nutrition, therapy, and meds as needed.
  • Substance Use Disorders: Involve alcohol, opioids, stimulants, nicotine. Managed with detox, maintenance therapies, and support groups.
  • ADHD & Autism Spectrum Disorder: ADHD is managed with stimulants/behavioral therapy. Autism is managed with supportive interventions and targeted medications.

Glossary of Key Terms

  • DSM-5: Diagnostic manual for psychiatric disorders.
  • CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, effective for anxiety and mood disorders.
  • Anxiolytics: Medications for anxiety reduction.
  • Mood Stabilizers: Medications for bipolar disorder.
  • Extrapyramidal Symptoms: Movement side effects from antipsychotics.
  • Tardive Dyskinesia: Involuntary movements from long-term antipsychotic use.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways for Psychiatry Exam Prep

Success on the psychiatry portion of the PA exam requires mastery of diagnostic criteria, clinical presentations, and treatment strategies for a broad range of psychiatric disorders. Understand the DSM-5 criteria, familiarize yourself with first-line therapies, and recognize high-yield presentations and complications.

For a detailed review, watch the podcast summary and visit Last Minute Lecture for more chapter-based PA study guides and medical exam prep.

If you found this breakdown helpful, subscribe to Last Minute Lecture for more chapter-based summaries and academic resources for physician assistants.

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