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USMLE.Step1.Psych Medical · USMLE

Psychiatry — depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, SUDs

Node 13 of 15 in USMLE

Objectives

  • Identify the key rules and §§ that apply to psychiatry — depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, suds.
  • Apply the USMLE.Step1.Psych knowledge element in a typical exam scenario.
  • Recognize common distractors and partial-credit answers.

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USMLE.Step1.Psych

Psychiatry — depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, SUDs

Step 1 · Organ Systems Behavioral Science / Psychiatry

**Major depressive disorder (DSM-5 SIGECAPS):** Sleep changes, Interest loss (anhedonia), Guilt, Energy, Concentration, Appetite, Psychomotor, Suicidality — ≥5 symptoms ≥2 weeks with at least anhedonia or depressed mood. Tx: SSRI (first-line), SNRI, bupropion, mirtazapine. CBT/IPT equally effective in mild-mod. ECT for severe/catatonic/psychotic; ketamine/esketamine for treatment-resistant.

**Bipolar:** I (≥1 manic), II (hypomania + MDE). Mood stabilizers — lithium (check thyroid, renal, level), valproate, lamotrigine (depressive). Atypical antipsychotics — quetiapine, lurasidone, cariprazine. Antidepressant monotherapy can induce mania.

**Anxiety disorders:** GAD, panic, social, specific phobias. SSRI/SNRI first-line; CBT effective. Benzos short-term only (tolerance, dependence, falls in elderly).

**PTSD:** DSM-5 Criterion A event + intrusion + avoidance + negative cognitions + hyperarousal ≥1 month. Trauma-focused CBT, prolonged exposure, EMDR. SSRI/SNRI. Prazosin for nightmares.

**Schizophrenia:** ≥6 months with ≥1 month active (≥2 of: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech/behavior, negative symptoms). Atypicals (risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole, clozapine for refractory — ANC monitoring for agranulocytosis). Typicals — EPS, tardive dyskinesia, NMS.

**Substance use disorders (DSM-5):** ≥2 of 11 criteria in 12 months. • **Alcohol** — CIWA-guided taper; naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram; thiamine before glucose. • **Opioid** — buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone; naloxone rescue. • **Tobacco** — varenicline, bupropion, NRT.

**Suicide risk** — SAD PERSONS; mean plan/intent > ideation. Restrict means (firearms, medications). Safety planning intervention and follow-up calls reduce short-term risk.

NIH MedlinePlus Mental Health FDA Label — SSRI black-box

Check yourself

3 quick questions — no score kept, just formative feedback.

  1. Q1 · USMLE.Step1.CV

    A 62-year-old has chest pain radiating to the jaw and ST elevations in leads V2-V5. Door-to-balloon time guideline for primary PCI per ACC/AHA STEMI guidelines is:

    Answer choices
  2. Q2 · USMLE.Step1.Micro

    Per the CDC Pink Book, which vaccine is LIVE-ATTENUATED and contraindicated in pregnancy and severe immunocompromise?

    Answer choices
  3. Q3 · USMLE.Step1.Renal

    A patient with severe hyperkalemia (K+ 7.2) and peaked T waves on ECG. The first intervention to stabilize the cardiac membrane is:

    Answer choices

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