Arab Board Psychiatry Final Written study plan

Map the major neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, GABA, glutamate) onto the symptom clusters they are implicated in, writing a one-page summary from memory

Explain the mechanism of action, key adverse effects, and main drug interactions of the major antipsychotic, antidepressant, mood stabiliser, and anxiolytic classes without notes

Distinguish the core defining features of psychotic, mood, anxiety, and trauma-related categories using a self-built comparison table

Justify why a given clinical vignette meets or fails criteria for a specific diagnosis, stating the discriminating criterion in one sentence

Differentiate schizophrenia, schizophreniform, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, and schizoaffective disorder by duration and symptom pattern criteria

Outline first-line and clozapine-eligible treatment pathways for psychosis, including monitoring requirements for clozapine

List the reversible and irreversible causes of a psychotic presentation that must be excluded before labelling it primary psychosis

Describe the assessment and management priorities for acute agitation and for neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Apply the episode-type framework (manic, hypomanic, depressive, mixed) to classify ten self-generated mood vignettes

Compare the evidence base and monitoring needs of mood stabilisers, including lithium toxicity and thyroid/renal surveillance

Outline the assessment of suicide risk and the acute and maintenance management of a severely depressed patient

Explain the indications for and practical delivery of ECT and of transcranial magnetic stimulation

Distinguish panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, OCD, PTSD, and acute stress disorder by timing and core features

Describe the first-line pharmacological and psychological treatments for each of the above and state which is preferred first-line

Compare cognitive behavioural therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, and supportive therapy by mechanism, structure, and typical indication

Explain the therapeutic frame, transference, countertransference, and basic boundaries in psychotherapy

Conduct and document a structured psychiatric interview covering history, mental state examination, risk assessment, and formulation

Distinguish delirium, dementia, and functional psychosis in the medically ill using onset, attention, and fluctuation

Outline the psychiatric management of self-harm, agitation, and refusal of treatment in the general hospital

List the psychiatric adverse effects of common medical drugs and the medical mimics of psychiatric presentations

Apply the dependence syndrome criteria and outline withdrawal management for alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids

Describe the principles of motivational interviewing and brief intervention in substance use

Distinguish the core child and adolescent presentations: autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, conduct disorder, and separation anxiety

Outline the developmental and safeguarding considerations that shape assessment in children and adolescents

Differentiate the dementias by pattern and outline the assessment and management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

Explain capacity assessment and the legal framework for involuntary admission and treatment in the relevant jurisdiction

Describe the duties around confidentiality, consent, and fitness to stand trial and criminal responsibility

Identify the psychiatric presentations of older adults that mimic or mask physical illness

Complete two full-length timed mock examinations under exam conditions and mark them honestly

Analyse every incorrect answer and tag each to its domain and to a cause (knowledge gap, misread, or reasoning error)

Re-study the three weakest domains using the tagged error list and rewrite the affected summary sheets

Rehearse the exam-day time-allocation strategy for the question format