Symptoms and Functioning Severity Scale (SFSS) The key measure of therapy success is the Symptoms and Functioning Severity Scale (SFSS).1  This scale examines the intensity of general symptoms and symptoms related to children and adolescents' most prevalent mental health problems (ADHD, CD, ODD, depression, and anxiety).  It comprises a 5-point Likert scale for each item ("never," "rarely," "occasionally," "frequently," and "very often"). A total score, an externalising score, and an internalising score are all provided by the SFSS. Youngster, caregiver, and clinician versions are available.  A 26-item version (SFSS-Full) and 2 other variations (SFSS Short Form A and Short Form B) are the different versions. Therapists apply these later 2 versions during alternate therapy sessions to assess change over a short period (i.e., weekly or biweekly sessions). Bibliography Bickman L, Athay M, Riemer M, et al. Manual of the Peabody treatmen

Drugs and Conditions which Affect Serum Lithium Levels Question Which one of the following may affect blood levels of lithium? A. NSAIDS B. ACE inhibitors C. Thiazide diuretics D. Dehydration

  Beck Suicide Ideation Scale Waleed Ahmad Aaron Beck developed the Beck Suicidal ideation scale in 1979. 1 The scale applies to those aged seventeen and above . Five items for screening and the rest for severity are on the scale.  The first ten items assess active suicidal desire. Interpretation A score of up to six indicates low risk . According to the interpretation, those scoring above six but lower than thirteen are at moderate risk of suicide . Individuals with a severe risk of suicide score between 13 and 20, while those who score higher than twenty-one have a very high risk of suicide. About the Author The author is a consultant psychiatrist at the department of psychiatry, Mercy Teaching Hospital Peshawar, and a member of the faculty at the department of psychiatry and behavioural sciences, Peshawar Medical College, Peshawar, 25000, KP, Pakistan. Email: dr.waleed@outlook.com  Reference Beck, A. T., Kovacs, M., & Weissman, A. (1979). Assessment of Suicidal Inten

Typical Versus Atypical Antipsychotics By definition, typical antipsychotics are those which produce extrapyramidal side effects, while atypical antipsychotics do not. However, at the doses used today, most atypical antipsychotics do not produce extrapyramidal side effects. Whether typical and atypical antipsychotics differ in efficacy in a long-held debate. Except for clozapine, there are no significant differences in the efficacy of typical and atypical antipsychotics.  Two large pragmatic studies, CATIE  in the United States, and CutLASS  in the United Kingdom, in 2005 and 2006, respectively, produced similar conclusions. Another meta-analysis, in 2009 showed that risperidone, olanzapine, and amisulpride were more effective compared to typical antipsychotics.  Overall, typical antipsychotics are more likely to produce extrapyramidal side effects, while atypical ones are more likely to produce metabolic side effects, including weight gain, hyperlipemia, and diabetes.  Clozapine is mo

Fragile X Syndrome Fragile x syndrome is characterised by large ears, velvety skin, flat feet, testicular enlargement after puberty, speech “cluttered” attentional deficit, hand flapping. Autistic traits. CGG repeats over two hundred. Support –MDT. Speech and language, physio, psychological techniques for teachers/parents, look at educational needs. family support –carers' assessment. Genetic Aberration A mutation on the X chromosome at the Xq27.3 site.  Fragile-X mental retardation -1 Gene FMR1 is a human gene that codes for a protein called Fragile-X mental retardation protein (FMRP) that may help regulate synaptic plasticity, important for learning and memory.  Prevalence 1 of every 1,000 males 1 of every 2,000 females Intellectual disability Mild to severe. Eighty per cent of boys with fragile X syndrome have an intelligence quotient lower than 80. Co-morbidities Attention deficit hyperactivity, learning disorders, autism spectrum disorders Physical Features long face, long ear