Behavioral Science Mnemonics For The USMLE & Other Medical Examinations

Premature ejaculation: treatment 2 S's:

SSRIs [eg: fluoxitime]

Squeezing technique [glans pressure before climax]

· More detail with 2 more S's:

Sensate-focus excercises [relieves anxiety]

Stop and start method [5-6 rehearsals of stopping stimulation before climax]

"Death Always Brings Great Acceptance":

Denial Anger Bargaining Grieving Acceptance

Male erectile dysfunction (MED): biological causes MED: Medicines(propranalol, methyldopa, SSRI, etc.)

Ethanol

Diabetes mellitus

Male Erectile Dysfunction (MED): drugs causing it

"STOP erection":

SSRI (fluoxtine)

Thioridazone

methyldOpa

Propranalol

Gain: primary vs. secondary vs. tertiary

Primary: Patient's Psyche improved.

Secondary: Symptom Sympathy for patient.

Tertiary: Therapist's gain.

Depression: major episode characteristics

SPACE DIGS:

Sleep disruption

Psychomotor retardation

Appetite change

Concentration loss

Energy loss

Depressed mood

Interest wanes

Guilt

Suicidal tendencies

Depression: symptoms

BAD CRISES:

Behavioural change (slowing down or agitation)

Appetite change (weight loss or weight gain in the young)

Depressed look (looking down)

Concentration decrease (does not do serial 7s well)

Ruminations (constant negative thoughts, hopelessness good indicator of suicidality)

Interest (reduced interest in what is normally pleasurable)

Sleep change (insomnia or hypersomnia, sleeping early, waking up at night, waking up feeling tired)

Energy change (fatigue)

Suicide 

Autistic disorder: features

AUTISTICS:

Again and again (repetitive behavior)

Unusual Abilities

Talking (language) delay

IQ subnormal

Social development poor

Three years onset

Inherited component [35% concordance]

Cognitive impairment

Self injury

Sleep stages: features

DElta waves during DEepest sleep (stages 3 & 4, slow-wave). dREaM during REM sleep.

Narcolepsy: symptoms, epidemiology

CHAP: Cataplexy Hallucinations Attacks of sleep Paralysis on waking

· Usual presentation is a young male, hence "chap".

Cluster personality disorders

Cluster A Disorder = Atypical. Unusual and eccentric.

Cluster B Disorder = Beast. Uncontrolled wildness.

Cluster C Disorder = Coward [avoidant type], Compulsive [obsessive-compulsive type], or Clingy [dependent type].

Reinforcement schedules: variable ratio

SLOT machines show SLOwesT extinction.

AIDS Dementia Complex (ADC): features

AIDS:

Atrophy of cortex

Infection/ Inflammation

Demyelination

Six months death

HM: this classic patient's lesion

HM had Hippocampus Missing.

Middle adolescence (14-17 years): characteristics

HERO:

Heterosexual crushes/ Homosexual Experience

Education regarding short term benefits

Risk taking

Omnipotence

· And there is interest in being a Hero (popular).

Impotence causes

PLANE:

Psychogenic: performance anxiety

Libido: decreased with androgen deficiency, drugs

Autonomic neuropathy: impede blood flow redirection

Nitric oxide deficiency: impaired synthesis, decreased blood pressure

Erectile reserve: can't maintain an erection

REM: features

REM:

Rapid pulse/ Respiratory rate

Erection

Mental activity increase/ Muscle paralysis