Psychiatry Mnemonics

The best psych mnemonics for medical student finals, OSCEs and MRCP

• Causes of delirium (DELIRIUM)

  • Drugs (TCAs, opiates, benzodiazepines, antiparkinsonian drugs, steroids, alcohol withdrawal)
  • Epilepsy/ Electrolyte imbalance (e.g. hyponatraemia)
  • Liver failure/ Low oxygen (MI, PE)
  • Infection
  • Retention (urinary/ faecal)
  • Intracranial
  • Uraemia
  • Metabolic (e.g. DM, thiamine deficiency, thyroid problems)

•  Risk of suicide (Modified SAD PERSONS score)

  SAD PERSONS component	Score ( /14)
  Sex (male)	1
  Age (15-25 or ≥ 59)	1
  Depressed or hopeless	2
  Previous suicidal attempt or psychiatric care	1
  Excess alcohol/drug use	1
  Rational thinking (loss of)	2
  Single, widowed or divorced	1
  Organized plan	2
  No social support	1
  Stated future intent	2