Every psychiatry condition in the UKMLA Content Map is covered with dedicated SBA questions and full clinical explanations.
Depression
ICD-11 diagnostic criteria, PHQ-9 scoring, NICE CG90 management: watchful waiting, CBT, antidepressants (SSRIs first-line), ECT for severe cases.
Schizophrenia & Psychosis
Positive and negative symptoms, first-episode psychosis, antipsychotic choice (risperidone, olanzapine, clozapine for treatment-resistant), NICE NG185.
Bipolar Disorder
Manic vs depressive episodes, hypomania, mixed states, lithium monitoring (levels, renal, thyroid), valproate, lamotrigine, NICE CG185.
Anxiety Disorders
GAD (NICE CG113), panic disorder, social anxiety, PTSD (trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, sertraline), OCD (ERP, SSRIs, NICE CG31).
Eating Disorders
Anorexia nervosa (MARSIPAN criteria, refeeding syndrome), bulimia nervosa (CBT-ED, fluoxetine), ARFID, NICE NG69.
Personality Disorders
Cluster A, B, C classification, borderline PD (DBT, mentalisation-based therapy), antisocial PD, NICE CG78.
Substance Use Disorders
Alcohol dependence (CIWA-Ar, chlordiazepoxide detox, thiamine), opioid dependence (methadone, buprenorphine), CAGE questionnaire.
Dementia
Alzheimer's vs vascular vs Lewy body vs frontotemporal, MMSE/MoCA, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, NICE NG97, capacity assessment.
Delirium
Acute vs chronic confusion, hyperactive vs hypoactive vs mixed, 4AT tool, precipitating factors, non-pharmacological management, haloperidol.
Suicide & Self-Harm
Risk assessment (Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale), protective factors, safe messaging, Mental Health Act Section 136, NICE CG133.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
ADHD (methylphenidate, NICE NG87), autism spectrum disorder, conduct disorder, school refusal, safeguarding in mental health.
Mental Health Legislation
Mental Health Act 1983 sections: Section 2 (28-day assessment), Section 3 (6-month treatment), Section 5(2) (72-hour doctor hold), Section 136 (police).
Every psychiatry question explanation references the relevant NICE guideline.
Stepped care model: watchful waiting for mild, CBT or SSRIs for moderate, combination therapy for severe. Review at 2 weeks after starting antidepressants.
Early intervention in psychosis, oral antipsychotics first-line, clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia after two adequate trials.
Lithium first-line for long-term management, monitor levels and renal/thyroid function, valproate contraindicated in women of childbearing potential.
MARSIPAN criteria for hospital admission in anorexia, CBT-ED for bulimia, family-based treatment for adolescents with anorexia.
Learn the diagnostic criteria first
The UKMLA AKT tests whether you can apply diagnostic criteria to clinical vignettes. Learn the ICD-11 criteria for depression (5 of 9 symptoms for 2 weeks), mania (elevated mood plus 3 symptoms for 7 days), and schizophrenia (positive symptoms for 1 month). These are the foundation of every psychiatry question.
Master the NICE stepped care pathways
For depression, know the stepped care model: Step 1 (watchful waiting), Step 2 (CBT or SSRIs for mild-moderate), Step 3 (combination therapy), Step 4 (ECT or inpatient). For psychosis, know when to use clozapine (after two failed antipsychotic trials). These pathways appear repeatedly in UKMLA questions.
Memorise the Mental Health Act sections
Mental Health Act questions are high-yield and straightforward once memorised. Learn Section 2 (28-day assessment, two doctors plus AMHP), Section 3 (6-month treatment), Section 5(2) (72-hour doctor hold), and Section 136 (police power). UKMLA questions give a scenario and ask which section applies.
Know the drug monitoring requirements
Lithium (levels 0.4-1.0 mmol/L, renal and thyroid monitoring), clozapine (weekly FBC for 18 weeks, then fortnightly), valproate (teratogenic, PREVENT programme), and antidepressants (review at 2 weeks, continue for 6 months after remission). These appear in prescribing and monitoring questions.
Practise clinical vignette questions
Psychiatry UKMLA questions are almost always vignette-based. Practise identifying the diagnosis from the clinical presentation, then selecting the most appropriate management. Focus on distinguishing similar presentations: depression vs bipolar depression, delirium vs dementia, schizophrenia vs drug-induced psychosis.
Psychiatry typically accounts for 8 to 12% of the UKMLA AKT, making it one of the higher-yield specialties. The UKMLA Content Map includes over 30 psychiatric conditions, with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and the Mental Health Act being the most frequently tested.
The highest-yield UKMLA psychiatry topics are: depression (ICD-11 criteria, NICE CG90 stepped care), schizophrenia (positive vs negative symptoms, antipsychotics), bipolar disorder (lithium monitoring), suicide risk assessment, and Mental Health Act sections (2, 3, 5(2), 136). These appear in multiple UKMLA sittings.
Learn the key sections: Section 2 (28-day assessment, requires two doctors and an AMHP), Section 3 (6-month treatment), Section 5(2) (72-hour emergency hold by the responsible doctor), and Section 136 (police power to remove from public place). UKMLA questions often present a clinical scenario and ask which section applies.
The most important NICE guidelines for UKMLA psychiatry are: CG90 (depression), NG185 (psychosis and schizophrenia), CG185 (bipolar disorder), NG69 (eating disorders), CG113 (generalised anxiety disorder), and CG31 (OCD). You must know the first-line treatment and escalation criteria for each.
The most effective approach is: (1) learn the diagnostic criteria for each condition using ICD-11 and DSM-5 where relevant, (2) memorise the key NICE stepped care pathways, (3) practise SBA questions focusing on clinical vignettes, (4) understand the Mental Health Act sections and when each applies, and (5) review drug monitoring requirements (lithium, clozapine, valproate).