The Infona portal uses cookies, i.e. strings of text saved by a browser on the user's device. The portal can access those files and use them to remember the user's data, such as their chosen settings (screen view, interface language, etc.), or their login data. By using the Infona portal the user accepts automatic saving and using this information for portal operation purposes. More information on the subject can be found in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By closing this window the user confirms that they have read the information on cookie usage, and they accept the privacy policy and the way cookies are used by the portal. You can change the cookie settings in your browser.
All doctors should expect to have some patients with intellectual disabilities. People with intellectual disabilities have very high rates of physical and mental ill-health, and co-morbidity is typical. Gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder, epilepsy, sensory impairments and injuries are all more common than in the general population. Choking and aspiration are frequent and can cause death. Developmental...
In an increasingly globalized world, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers show higher than expected rates of mental illness. Black and ethnic minority groups have higher than expected rates of psychiatric disorders and can present in different ways; they thus need special consideration in terms of their mental healthcare. Their idioms of distress and pathways to care often vary compared with the...
Dementia is a general term for a number of progressive, organic brain diseases affecting approximately 670,000 people in the UK. Most neurodegenerative diseases leading to dementia are characterized by processes that result in the aberrant polymerization of proteins, whereas a small proportion of individuals with these diseases develop dementia as a direct result of mutations or polymorphisms in genes...
The assessment of patients with mental health problems is often seen as very different from assessment in other areas of medicine. However, it actually has much in common with any area of medicine in which taking a good history is vital. It should be conducted in a systematic way using good interview techniques. A clear knowledge of signs of mental illness (e.g. delusions, hallucinations) is essential...
Depression is a common relapsing mood disorder that causes significant distress and impairment in social and occupational functioning. It is associated with an increased risk of death, not only through suicide, but also from physical illnesses such as cardiovascular disease. It is under-recognized and undertreated and should be considered in individuals at high risk of depression, for example those...
Anxiety symptoms and disorders are common in community settings and primary and secondary care. Symptoms can be mild and transient, but many people are troubled by severe symptoms causing great personal distress and impairing social and occupational function. The societal burden from anxiety disorders is considerable, but many who might benefit from treatment are not recognized or treated by healthcare...
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common mental disorder with neurodevelopmental origins that typically starts in early childhood and follows a persistent trait-like course. It is characterized by inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity that are persistent over time and lead to clinical and psychosocial impairments. Emotional instability is a common feature of ADHD that is sometimes...
The aim of this article is to draw attention to how the process of assessment, diagnosis and formulation of children with suspected psychiatric disorder differs from that of adults. Development and the importance of context are two key concepts. These influence each stage of assessment: the gathering of clinical information, identification of symptoms, making of a diagnosis and development of a formulation.
Bipolar disorder (BD) is the episodic disturbance of mood into depression or elation. Bipolar I disorder is defined by mania, bipolar II disorder (BD-II) by major depression and hypomania. BD is heritable: many gene variants contribute. Anxiety co-morbidity is common. Management usually requires long-term medical treatment. Because BD combines chronicity with considerable patient autonomy, psycho-education...
Eating disorders are common problems affecting 5–10% of young people. The bulimic forms of eating disorders became dominant in the last half of the 20th century and are caused in part by tensions between the easy availability of high-palatability food that promotes excess eating and a culture that idealizes thinness. Genetic factors, high anxiety and environmental stress also contribute. Anorexia...
Assessment in the elderly psychiatric population requires a particular focus on cognition and co-morbid physical illness. Although there can be differences in the way that psychiatric illnesses manifest in younger and older adults, a structured approach to history-taking with a clear understanding of the diagnostic hierarchy of the psychiatric disorders allows for a clear formulation of psychiatric...
Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness affecting several domains of cognition and behaviour. The illness most frequently becomes manifest in early adulthood, and often follows a chronic course. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and is a leading contributor to disease burden, health and social care costs throughout the world. Antipsychotics are the mainstay of treatment but are...
Set the date range to filter the displayed results. You can set a starting date, ending date or both. You can enter the dates manually or choose them from the calendar.