VadePsych

Context, Currency, and Disclaimers

• Materials are notes that have been compiled using several sources solely for educational purposes.

• These sources include books & courses for preparing for the MRCPsych CASC.

• Materials were updated in Sep. 2026.

• Please remember that, according to some sources, such as IMG Connect, MRCPsych Casc study resources should ideally be no more than 3 years old, with 5 years as the absolute maximum.

• This collection of Notes was updated in September 2026 to ensure that all advices align with the latest versions of the NICE guidelines, NHS standards and the RCP.

• The creators of this podcast do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of questions, answers, or explanations.

• Listeners should still verify the syllabus on the official RCPsych website for the most current version.

Ref:

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2017). Eating disorders: recognition and treatment (NICE Guideline NG69). London: NICE.

Department of Health and Social Care, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, & Northern Ireland Executive. (2017). Drug misuse and dependence: UK guidelines on clinical management (The "Orange Book"). London: DHSC.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).(2011). Coexisting severe mental illness (psychosis) and substance misuse: assessment and management in healthcare settings (NICE Clinical Guideline CG120) [accompanied by Alcohol-use disorders: diagnosis, assessment and management of harmful drinking and alcohol dependence, CG115]. London: NICE.

General Medical Council (GMC). (2017). Confidentiality: good practice in handling patient information [alongside the Department of Health. (2015). Mental Health Act 1983: Code of Practice]. London: GMC / The Stationery Office.Educational Guidance for MRCPsych CASC Preparation

Music Attribution & Licensing:

Background music: J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka.

Educational Guidance for MRCPsych CASC Preparation

Context, Currency, and Disclaimers

• Materials are notes that have been compiled using several sources solely for educational purposes.

Ref:

General Medical Council (2024) Good Medical Practice. London: GMC.

Silverman, J., Kurtz, S. & Draper, J. (2013) Skills for Communicating with Patients, 3rd edn. London: Radcliffe Publishing.

Music Attribution & Licensing:

Background music: J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka.

This recording is part of The Open Goldberg Variations project and has been explicitly dedicated to the worldwide public domain under the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0 1.0).

No copyright exists on this sound recording, and it is free for unrestricted public and commercial use without licensing fees or infringement claims.

Source & Project Verification: ⁠https://opengoldbergvariations.org⁠

Performer Archive: ⁠https://music.kimiko-piano.com⁠

License Terms: ⁠https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Materials have been compiled using several sources solely for educational purposes. These sources include question banks and books for preparing for the MRCPsych paper B.

* Materials were updated in September 2026. Please remember that, according to some sources, such as IMG Connect, MRCPsych Paper B questions and study resources should ideally be no more than 3 years old, with 5 years as the absolute maximum.

* This collection of questions was updated in September 2026 to ensure that all answers align with the latest versions of the NICE guidelines, the Maudsley prescribing guidelines for psychiatry, and the Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry.

* The creators of this podcast do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of questions, answers, or explanations. listeners should still verify the syllabus on the official RCPsych website for the most current version.

ref:

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder (NICE Guideline NG116). nice.org.uk

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022). Depression in adults: treatment and management (NICE Guideline NG222). nice.org.uk

Cowen, P., Harrison, P., & Burns, T. (2012). Shorter Oxford textbook of psychiatry (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Bateman, A., & Holmes, J. (2014). Introduction to psychoanalysis: Contemporary theory and practice (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. Guilford Press.

Weissman, M. M., & Cuijpers, P. (2017). Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression: History, focus, and future directions. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 24, 1211–1214. doi.org

Ryle, A. (2020). Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Distinctive features. International Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy, 11, 35–48.

Baldwin, S. A., Christian, S., Berkeljon, A., & Shadish, W. R. (2012). The efficacy of systemic family therapy for children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38, 302–314. doi.org

Music Attribution & Licensing:

Background music: J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka.

This recording is part of The Open Goldberg Variations project and has been explicitly dedicated to the worldwide public domain under the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0 1.0).

No copyright exists on this sound recording, and it is free for unrestricted public and commercial use without licensing fees or infringement claims.

Source & Project Verification: https://opengoldbergvariations.org

Performer Archive: https://music.kimiko-piano.com

License Terms: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Materials have been compiled using several sources solely for educational purposes. These sources include question banks and books for preparing for the MRCPsych paper B.

* Materials were updated in September 2026. Please remember that, according to some sources, such as IMG Connect, MRCPsych Paper B questions and study resources should ideally be no more than 3 years old, with 5 years as the absolute maximum.

* This collection of questions was updated in September 2026 to ensure that all answers align with the latest versions of the NICE guidelines, the Maudsley prescribing guidelines for psychiatry, and the Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry.

* The creators of this podcast do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of questions, answers, or explanations. listeners should still verify the syllabus on the official RCPsych website for the most current version.

Ref:

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder (NICE Guideline NG116). nice.org.uk

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022). Depression in adults: treatment and management (NICE Guideline NG222). nice.org.uk

Cowen, P., Harrison, P., & Burns, T. (2012). Shorter Oxford textbook of psychiatry (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Bateman, A., & Holmes, J. (2014). Introduction to psychoanalysis: Contemporary theory and practice (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. Guilford Press.

Weissman, M. M., & Cuijpers, P. (2017). Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression: History, focus, and future directions. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 24, 1211–1214. doi.org

Ryle, A. (2020). Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Distinctive features. International Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy, 11, 35–48.

Baldwin, S. A., Christian, S., Berkeljon, A., & Shadish, W. R. (2012). The efficacy of systemic family therapy for children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38, 302–314. doi.org

Music Attribution & Licensing:

Background music: J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka.

This recording is part of The Open Goldberg Variations project and has been explicitly dedicated to the worldwide public domain under the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0 1.0).

No copyright exists on this sound recording, and it is free for unrestricted public and commercial use without licensing fees or infringement claims.

Source & Project Verification: https://opengoldbergvariations.org

Performer Archive: https://music.kimiko-piano.com

License Terms: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Materials have been compiled using several sources solely for educational purposes. These sources include question banks and books for preparing for the MRCPsych paper B.

* Materials were updated in September 2026. Please remember that, according to some sources, such as IMG Connect, MRCPsych Paper B questions and study resources should ideally be no more than 3 years old, with 5 years as the absolute maximum.

* This collection of questions was updated in September 2026 to ensure that all answers align with the latest versions of the NICE guidelines, the Maudsley prescribing guidelines for psychiatry, and the Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry.

* The creators of this podcast do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of questions, answers, or explanations. listeners should still verify the syllabus on the official RCPsych website for the most current version.

Ref:

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2018). Post-traumatic stress disorder (NICE Guideline NG116). nice.org.uk

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022). Depression in adults: treatment and management (NICE Guideline NG222). nice.org.uk

Cowen, P., Harrison, P., & Burns, T. (2012). Shorter Oxford textbook of psychiatry (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.

Bateman, A., & Holmes, J. (2014). Introduction to psychoanalysis: Contemporary theory and practice (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive-behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. Guilford Press.

Weissman, M. M., & Cuijpers, P. (2017). Interpersonal psychotherapy for depression: History, focus, and future directions. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 24, 1211–1214. doi.org

Ryle, A. (2020). Cognitive Analytic Therapy: Distinctive features. International Journal of Integrative Psychotherapy, 11, 35–48.

Baldwin, S. A., Christian, S., Berkeljon, A., & Shadish, W. R. (2012). The efficacy of systemic family therapy for children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38, 302–314. doi.org

Music Attribution & Licensing:

Background music: J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka.

This recording is part of The Open Goldberg Variations project and has been explicitly dedicated to the worldwide public domain under the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0 1.0).

No copyright exists on this sound recording, and it is free for unrestricted public and commercial use without licensing fees or infringement claims.

Source & Project Verification: https://opengoldbergvariations.org

Performer Archive: https://music.kimiko-piano.com

License Terms: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Materials have been compiled using several sources solely for educational purposes. These sources include question banks and books for preparing for the MRCPsych paper B.

* Materials were updated in September 2026. Please remember that, according to some sources, such as IMG Connect, MRCPsych Paper B questions and study resources should ideally be no more than 3 years old, with 5 years as the absolute maximum.

* This collection of questions was updated in September 2026 to ensure that all answers align with the latest versions of the NICE guidelines, the Maudsley prescribing guidelines for psychiatry, and the Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry.

* The creators of this podcast do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of questions, answers, or explanations. listeners should still verify the syllabus on the official RCPsych website for the most current version.

References

Douglas, K. S., Hart, S. D., Webster, C. D., & Belfrage, H. (2013). HCR-20V3: Assessing risk for violence: User guide. Mental Health, Law, and Policy Institute, Simon Fraser University.

Eastman, N., Adshead, G., Fox, S., Latham, R., & Whyte, S. (2019). Forensic psychiatry (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198825586.001.0001

General Medical Council. (2024). Good medical practice. https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/good-medical-practice

Ministry of Justice, & Department of Health. (2015). Mental Health Act 1983: Code of practice. The Stationery Office.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2015). Violence and aggression: Short-term management in mental health, health and community settings (NICE Guideline NG10). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng10

Royal College of Psychiatrists. (2020). Standards for forensic mental health services: Low and medium secure (4th ed., College Report CR226). Royal College of Psychiatrists Centre for Quality Improvement.

Music Attribution & Licensing:

Background music: J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka.

This recording is part of The Open Goldberg Variations project and has been explicitly dedicated to the worldwide public domain under the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0 1.0).

​No copyright exists on this sound recording, and it is free for unrestricted public and commercial use without licensing fees or infringement claims.

​Source & Project Verification: https://opengoldbergvariations.org

​Performer Archive: https://music.kimiko-piano.com

​License Terms: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Materials have been compiled using several sources solely for educational purposes. These sources include question banks and books for preparing for the MRCPsych paper B.

* Materials were updated in September 2026. Please remember that, according to some sources, such as IMG Connect, MRCPsych Paper B questions and study resources should ideally be no more than 3 years old, with 5 years as the absolute maximum.

* This collection of questions was updated in Septembr 2026 to ensure that all answers align with the latest versions of the NICE guidelines, the Maudsley prescribing guidelines for psychiatry, and the Oxford Handbook of Psychiatry.

* The creators of this podcast do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of questions, answers, or explanations. listeners should still verify the syllabus on the official RCPsych website for the most current version.

References

Eastman, N., Adshead, G., Fox, S., Latham, R., & Whyte, S. (2019). Forensic psychiatry (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198825586.001.0001

Gunn, J., & Taylor, P. J. (Eds.). (2014). Forensic psychiatry: Clinical, legal and ethical issues (2nd ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/b15462

Ministry of Justice. (2007). Mental Capacity Act 2005: Code of practice. The Stationery Office.

Ministry of Justice, & Department of Health. (2015). Mental Health Act 1983: Code of practice. The Stationery Office.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2015). Violence and aggression: Short-term management in mental health, health and community settings (NICE Guideline NG10). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng10

Semple, D., & Smyth, R. (2019). Oxford handbook of psychiatry (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780198795551.001.0001

Music Attribution & Licensing:

Background music: J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka.

This recording is part of The Open Goldberg Variations project and has been explicitly dedicated to the worldwide public domain under the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0 1.0).

​No copyright exists on this sound recording, and it is free for unrestricted public and commercial use without licensing fees or infringement claims.

​Source & Project Verification: https://opengoldbergvariations.org

​Performer Archive: https://music.kimiko-piano.com

​License Terms: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Educational Guidance for MRCPsych CASC Preparation

Context, Currency, and Disclaimers

• Materials are notes that have been compiled using several sources solely for educational purposes.

Ref:

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). (2014, updated 2023).

Bipolar disorder: assessment and management (NICE Clinical Guideline CG185). London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Why it's essential: Serves as the statutory UK clinical reference standard for lithium initiation, monitoring intervals (baseline, 3-monthly, and 6-monthly), therapeutic blood level targets (0.6–0.8 mmol/L vs 0.8–1.0 mmol/L), and safety governance.

Goodwin, G. M., Haddad, P. M., Ferrier, I. N., Aronson, J. K., Barnes, T., Cipriani, A., Coghill, D. R., Fazel, S., Geddes, J. R., Holmes, E. A., Holmes, S., Lingford-Hughes, M., Morriss, R., Mukherjee, R., Patel, M. X., Paton, C., Schwaiger, S., Shannon, H., Stokes, P. R. A., … Young, A. H. (2016).

Evidence-based guidelines for treating bipolar disorder: Revised third edition recommendations from the British Association for Psychopharmacology. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(6), 495–553. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116636545

Why it's essential: Establishes lithium as the gold-standard, first-line long-term mood stabilizer, provides pharmacokinetic evidence on steady-state titration, and defines therapeutic thresholds for relapse prevention versus acute mania.

National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA). (2009).

Patient Safety Alert NPSA/2009/PSA005: Safer lithium therapy. London: National Patient Safety Agency.

Why it's essential: The foundational UK patient safety mandate requiring clinicians to issue a Lithium Treatment Pack (purple booklet/alert card), confirm 12-hour trough blood sampling, and educate patients on toxicity and drug interactions.

Taylor, D., Barnes, T. R. E., & Young, A. H. (2021).

The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines in Psychiatry (14th ed.). Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Why it's essential: Provides detailed clinical psychopharmacology on lithium kinetics (first-order elimination, half-life, 4–5 day steady-state dynamics), toxicity stratification (>1.5 mmol/L vs >2.0 mmol/L), toxic drug interactions (the "D-A-N-T" group), and toxicity management.

McKnight, R. F., Adida, M., Budge, K., Stockton, S., Goodwin, G. M., & Geddes, J. R. (2012).

Lithium toxicity profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet, 379(9817), 721–728. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61516-X

Why it's essential: The definitive systematic review and meta-analysis quantifying long-term renal, thyroid, parathyroid, and weight risks associated with therapeutic lithium maintenance.

Music Attribution & Licensing:

Background music: J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka.

This recording is part of The Open Goldberg Variations project and has been explicitly dedicated to the worldwide public domain under the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0 1.0).

No copyright exists on this sound recording, and it is free for unrestricted public and commercial use without licensing fees or infringement claims.

Source & Project Verification: https://opengoldbergvariations.org

Performer Archive: https://music.kimiko-piano.com

License Terms: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Educational Guidance for MRCPsych CASC Preparation

Context, Currency, and Disclaimers

• Materials are notes that have been compiled using several sources solely for educational purposes.

• These sources include books & courses for preparing for the MRCPsych CASC.

• Materials were updated in Sep. 2026.

• Please remember that, according to some sources, such as IMG Connect, MRCPsych Casc study resources should ideally be no more than 3 years old, with 5 years as the absolute maximum.

• This collection of Notes was updated in September 2026 to ensure that all advices align with the latest versions of the NICE guidelines, NHS standards and the RCP.

• The creators of this podcast do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of questions, answers, or explanations.

• Listeners should still verify the syllabus on the official RCPsych website for the most current version.

Ref:

bibliography:

​Kamatchi, R., et al. (2011). "3 years on: Examiners' and candidates' views on the CASC (Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies)." British Journal of Medical Practitioners (BJMP), 4(4), a444.

(Documents qualitative post-exam feedback, examiner scoring priorities, and where candidates lose marks on process vs. factual knowledge).

​Sivasanker, S., & Bapir, R. (2014). "Preparing for the MRCPsych CASC – an insight based on experience." Geriatric Medicine Journal, 44(2), 24–27.

(Breaks down common exam pitfalls mapped directly against the Royal College's official 'Areas of Concern' mark sheets, including time misallocation and handling uncooperative role-players).

​Royal College of Psychiatrists. (Current Sitting Regulations). MRCPsych Clinical Assessment of Skills and Competencies (CASC): Candidate Guidance & Mark Schemes. London: Royal College of Psychiatrists.

(Official standard for domain-based marking criteria, examiner instructions, and physical examination expectations).

​Taylor, D. M., Barnes, T. R. E., & Young, A. H. The Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines in Psychiatry. 14th/15th Eds. Wiley-Blackwell.

(Benchmark reference for lithium safety parameters, clozapine 48-hour re-titration rules, psychotropic washouts, and rapid tranquillisation).

​National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

​NG69: Eating disorders: recognition and treatment (incorporating the Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders / MEED framework).

​CG185: Bipolar disorder: assessment and management.

​NG10: Violence and aggression: short-term management in mental health, health and community settings.

​Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Assessing fitness to drive: a guide for medical professionals (Psychiatric Disorders). GOV.UK.

(Statutory legal guidance for medical notification, driving cessation in acute psychosis, mania, and alcohol/substance misuse).

Music Attribution & Licensing:

Background music: J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka.

This recording is part of The Open Goldberg Variations project and has been explicitly dedicated to the worldwide public domain under the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0 1.0).

​No copyright exists on this sound recording, and it is free for unrestricted public and commercial use without licensing fees or infringement claims.

​Source & Project Verification: https://opengoldbergvariations.org

​Performer Archive: https://music.kimiko-piano.com

​License Terms: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

Educational Guidance for MRCPsych CASC Preparation

Context, Currency, and Disclaimers

• Materials are notes that have been compiled using several sources solely for educational purposes.

• These sources include books & courses for preparing for the MRCPsych CASC.

• Materials were updated in Sep. 2026.

• Please remember that, according to some sources, such as IMG Connect, MRCPsych Casc study resources should ideally be no more than 3 years old, with 5 years as the absolute maximum.

• This collection of Notes was updated in September 2026 to ensure that all advices align with the latest versions of the NICE guidelines, NHS standards and the RCP.

• The creators of this podcast do not accept any responsibility for the accuracy or validity of questions, answers, or explanations.

• Listeners should still verify the syllabus on the official RCPsych website for the most current version.

Ref.:

​Craig, T. K., Rus-Calafell, M., Ward, T., Leff, J. P., Huckvale, M., Howarth, E., Emsley, R., & Garety, P. A. (2018). AVATAR therapy for auditory verbal hallucinations in people with psychosis: A single-blind, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(1), 31–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30427-3

​Freeman, D., Lambe, S., Kabir, T., Petit, A., Rosebrock, L., Yu, L.-M., Dudley, R., Dixon, L., Morrison, A. P., O'Regan, E., Byrne, R., McInerney, J., Ainsworth, S., & Waite, F. (2022). Automated virtual reality therapy to treat agoraphobic avoidance and distress in patients with psychosis (gameChange): A multicentre, parallel-group, single-blind, randomised, controlled trial in England with mediation and moderation analyses. The Lancet Psychiatry, 9(5), 375–388. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(22)00066-0

​National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2018). Dementia: Assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers (NICE Guideline NG97). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng97

​National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022). Depression in adults: Treatment and management (NICE Guideline NG222). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng222

​National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2022). Sleepio to treat insomnia and insomnia symptoms (Medical Technologies Guidance MTG70). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/mtg70

​NHS England. (2019). Social prescribing and community-based support: Summary guide. NHS England and NHS Improvement. https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/social-prescribing-and-community-based-support-summary-guide/

Music Attribution & Licensing:

Background music: J.S. Bach – Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, performed by Kimiko Ishizaka.

This recording is part of The Open Goldberg Variations project and has been explicitly dedicated to the worldwide public domain under the Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication (CC0 1.0).

​No copyright exists on this sound recording, and it is free for unrestricted public and commercial use without licensing fees or infringement claims.

​Source & Project Verification: https://opengoldbergvariations.org

​Performer Archive: https://music.kimiko-piano.com

​License Terms: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/