A 7-year-old boy is brought to the physician because of spells of unresponsiveness and upward rolling of the eyes for 2 months. The episodes start abruptly and last a few seconds. During that time he does not hear anyone’s voice or make any purposeful movements. When the episodes end, he continues what he was doing before the spell. He does not lose his posture or fall to the ground. Episodes occur multiple times during the day. Physical examination shows no abnormal findings. An EEG following hyperventilation shows 3 Hz spike-and-slow-wave discharges. Which of the following is the most appropriate pharmacotherapy at this time?
ANo pharmacotherapy at this time
BEthosuximide
CSodium valproate
DOxcarbazepine
ELamotrigine
A 23-year-old woman is admitted to the inpatient psychiatry unit after her boyfriend reported she was “acting funny and refusing to talk.” The patient’s boyfriend states that he came home from work and found the patient sitting up in bed staring at the wall. When he said her name or waved his hand in front of her, she did not respond. When he tried to move her, she would remain in whatever position she was placed. The patient’s temperature is 99°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 122/79 mmHg, pulse is 68/min, and respirations are 12/min with an oxygen saturation of 98% O2 on room air. During the physical exam, the patient is lying on the bed with her left arm raised and pointing at the ceiling. She resists any attempt to change her position. The patient remains mute and ignores any external stimuli. The patient’s medical history is significant for depression. She was recently switched from phenelzine to fluoxetine. Which of the following is the best initial therapy?
AElectroconvulsive therapy
BLorazepam
CHaloperidol
DCyproheptadine
EBenztropine
A 24-year-old male comes into the psychiatric clinic complaining of consistent sadness. He endorses feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and anhedonia for the past couple months but denies feeling suicidal. He further denies any past episodes of feeling overly energetic with racing thoughts. Confident of the diagnosis, you recommend frequent talk therapy along with a long-term prescription of a known first-line medication for this disorder. What is the drug and what are some of the most frequently encountered side effects?
ASelective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; hypomania, suicidal thoughts
BTricyclic antidepressants; hypomania, suicidal thoughts
CSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; anorgasmia, insomnia
DMonoamine oxidase inhibitors; Orthostatic hypotension, weight gain
ETricyclic antidepressants; Orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic effects
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