AIM LEARNING CYCLE | FINAL YEAR MBBS | KMU CURRICULUM
Student Memory Support
Topic 2 — Psychiatric, Behavioral & Substance Use Disorders
Neuroscience-III | Psychiatry • Family Medicine • General Medicine
High-Yield Flashcards • Mnemonics • Memory Tables • Clinical Hooks • Exam Revision
1. High-Yield Flashcards
Tap each question to reveal the answer.
What duration distinguishes PTSD from acute stress disorder?
PTSD persists for more than 1 month after trauma; acute stress disorder occurs from 3 days to 1 month after trauma.
Which psychotherapy specifically addresses trauma-related memories and avoidance in PTSD?
Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy.
What is the essential difference between an obsession and a compulsion?
An obsession is a recurrent unwanted thought, image or urge. A compulsion is a repetitive behaviour or mental act performed to reduce distress or prevent a feared outcome.
Which psychological technique is central to CBT for OCD?
Exposure and response prevention (ERP): facing feared triggers without performing compulsive rituals.
Does somatic symptom disorder require all medical investigations to be normal?
No. It involves distressing physical symptoms accompanied by excessive symptom-related thoughts, feelings or behaviours. A genuine medical condition may coexist.
What is the principal long-term goal of chronic primary pain management?
Improve function and quality of life using graded activity, appropriate psychological care and individualized multidisciplinary support.
What are the two core diagnostic domains of autism spectrum disorder?
Persistent social communication/interaction differences and restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities.
What is the main treatment principle for core features of autism?
Early, individualized developmental, communication and family support. Medication is used for selected coexisting conditions or severe associated symptoms, not to eliminate core autistic characteristics.
What is the difference between substance tolerance and withdrawal?
Tolerance means a reduced response to the same amount of a substance. Withdrawal refers to symptoms occurring after reduction or cessation following sustained exposure.
Which findings suggest delirium tremens after stopping alcohol?
Delirium with agitation, disorientation, autonomic hyperactivity and possible hallucinations. This is a medical emergency.
Which drug reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression?
Naloxone, alongside immediate airway and ventilatory support.
Which drug class is commonly used for anxiety and depressive disorders requiring pharmacological treatment?
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), with appropriate diagnosis, safety assessment and follow-up.
What do PHQ-9 and GAD-7 assess?
PHQ-9 assesses depressive symptom severity; GAD-7 assesses anxiety symptom severity. Neither independently establishes a clinical diagnosis.
Which two positive symptoms are important when screening for schizophrenia-spectrum disorders?
Hallucinations and delusions. Clinical assessment also considers thought disorganization, functioning, substance use and medical causes.
Which suicide-risk findings require particularly urgent assessment?
Current suicidal intent, a specific plan, access to means, inability to remain safe or dangerous command hallucinations.
2. Mnemonics
PTSD — Main Symptom Clusters
RECAP
R — Re-experiencing trauma
E — Exaggerated threat/arousal
C — Changes in cognition and mood
A — Avoidance of reminders
P — Persistence beyond one month
CAGE — Alcohol Screening
CAGE
C — Felt a need to Cut down
A — Annoyed by criticism
G — Felt Guilty about drinking
E — Morning Eye-opener drink
A screening aid, not a stand-alone diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.
Mental Health Risk Assessment
SAFE
S — Suicidal thoughts, plan and intent
A — Access to means and immediate danger
F — Factors increasing risk, including psychosis and substance use
E — Emergency response, safeguarding and referral
A recall aid; full clinical risk assessment also considers protective factors and the patient’s circumstances.
3. Memory Tables
Table 1 — Commonly Confused Psychiatric Presentations
| Disorder | Key Clinical Pattern | Main Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| PTSD | Intrusion, avoidance, negative mood/cognition, hyperarousal | After trauma; duration over one month |
| OCD | Obsessions and/or compulsions | Intrusive thoughts and repetitive rituals |
| Somatic symptom disorder | Distressing physical symptoms | Excessive symptom-related thoughts, feelings or behaviours |
| Generalized anxiety disorder | Persistent, difficult-to-control worry across several domains | Anxiety with tension, restlessness and sleep disturbance |
| Depression | Low mood or loss of interest with associated symptoms | Sustained symptoms with impairment |
Table 2 — Substance Intoxication vs Withdrawal
| Substance | Intoxication | Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Disinhibition, slurred speech, ataxia | Tremor, sweating, seizures or delirium |
| Opioids | Miosis, CNS and respiratory depression | Mydriasis, diarrhoea, lacrimation, aches |
| Benzodiazepines | Sedation and impaired coordination | Anxiety, insomnia, tremor; severe cases may cause seizures |
| Stimulants | Agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, mydriasis | Fatigue, low mood, increased sleep or appetite |
4. Rapid Revision Points — Last-Minute Revision
Must Remember:
- PTSD requires a trauma-related symptom pattern lasting longer than one month.
- ERP is a central psychological treatment for OCD; SSRIs are important pharmacological options.
- Somatic symptom disorder can coexist with established physical illness.
- Fibromyalgia commonly combines widespread pain, fatigue and non-restorative sleep.
- Autism involves both social communication differences and restricted/repetitive behaviours.
- Severe alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures and delirium tremens.
- Naloxone reverses opioid receptor-mediated respiratory depression.
- Previous mania or hypomania must be assessed before antidepressant monotherapy.
- PHQ-9 and GAD-7 support screening and monitoring but do not replace diagnosis.
- Suicidal intent, a plan, dangerous psychotic symptoms or severe withdrawal require urgent assessment.
5. Clinical Memory Hooks
Trauma + recurrent nightmares + avoidance for several months
→ PTSD → trauma-focused psychological treatment
Repeated checking to relieve intrusive fears
→ OCD → ERP interrupts the obsession–compulsion cycle
Delayed social communication + repetitive behaviour in early childhood
→ Consider autism → developmental and hearing assessment
Unconscious patient + pinpoint pupils + slow breathing
→ Suspect opioid overdose → airway support and naloxone
Low mood + previous decreased need for sleep and excessive activity
→ Evaluate possible bipolar disorder before antidepressant treatment
6. Starred High-Yield Exam Points
- ⭐ PTSD: trauma exposure + intrusion, avoidance, negative mood/cognition and arousal symptoms persisting beyond one month.
- ⭐ OCD: intrusive obsession followed by anxiety-reducing rituals; ERP and SSRIs are key treatments.
- ⭐ Somatic symptom disorder: excessive symptom-related distress or behaviour; normal investigations are not required.
- ⭐ Autism: social communication differences plus restricted/repetitive behaviours; early individualized developmental support is central.
- ⭐ Alcohol withdrawal: delirium tremens and seizures are dangerous complications requiring monitored treatment.
- ⭐ Opioid overdose: respiratory depression is the immediate life threat; support ventilation and administer naloxone.
- ⭐ Mental health risk: a suicide plan with intent or access to means demands urgent safety assessment regardless of the screening score.