Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorders, MSE

Question 1

Define cognition, emotion and behavior.

Answer 1

cognition: processes such as memory, attention, language comprehension and production, sensory perception and executive function
emotion: complex feeling state with psychological, somatic and behavioral components that function to guide adaptive behavioral response and decision-making (allow for rapid complex and organized responses to stimuli)
behavior: arise from the interplay of motivations, cognitive processes and emotional state

Question 2

Describe what the biopsychosocial understanding of mental illness includes.

Answer 2

process to broaden understanding of the patient’s illness- a belief that illness arises from a complex interplay among biological, psychological and social factors

Question 3

Describe the basic thought and process behind addressing a patient with suspected psychiatric disorder.

Answer 3

(1) conduct a psychiatric interview focusing on HPI, psychiatric and developmental history, medications and substances, PMH and stressors/supports
(2) complete the mental status exam: assess with rating scales
(3) create a d/dx including primary dx, and a differential for general medical conditions or substance induced conditions
(4) bring things together with the formulation taking into account biological, psychological, psychosocial factors and DSM diagnoses

Question 4

Name the parts of the mental status exam. (9)

Answer 4

appearance ("picture")
behavior ("video")
speech (slow, monotone, latent, dysarthic etc)
mood (patient subjective)
affect (observed emotion)
thought process/organization
thought content
cognition (alertness, orientation, exec, function)
insight/judgement (self awareness)