Motor vehicle accidents (MVA) have been a leading contributor to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Given the high rate of MVA incidents, it is of crucial importance to detect and diagnose PTSD in primary care. Assessing PTSD requires detecting and treating physiologic responses associated with MVA incidents. Responses such as elevated heart rate and blood pressure following an incident as well as psychological processes have been found to predict the likelihood of developing PTSD months or years after the occurrence. Screening for PTSD requires the implementation of multiple assessment tools to accurately detect the presence of PTSD. Clinicians chose assessment tools based on scales used to screen for anxiety, social dysfunction, somatic complaints and depression. Indeed, it cannot be overstated that clinicians must conduct early assessment and diagnosis of PTSD while evaluating the multiple factors that impact upon whether or not an individual will develop PTSD after a MVA.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome is occasional but deadly reaction, which results from treatment with antipsychotic medications. Risk aspects include the following: dehydration, agitation, and history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Despite the fact that Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome has been described as adverse effect from treatment with antipsychotic medications, patients suffering with chemical imbalance of brain or mood disorders, especially when treated with lithium, fall in to higher risk group. Standard criteria for the diagnosis of Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome highlight the following signs and symptoms: muscle rigidity, hyperthermia, alteration in mental status, and autonomic dysfunction. Syndrome usually lasts from 7 to 10 days in simple and uncomplicated patients who receiving neuroleptics orally. Early detection and diagnosis of syndrome are up the most importance, where discontinuance of triggering medication, managing of fluid balance, control of body temperature and close observation for complications takes place. Use of dopamine agonists should be advised in more complex cases. Electroconvulsive therapy has also been effective in a few cases. In this article author reviews the proposed pathology, symptoms, complications, and treatment of Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
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