History and Examination Flashcards
What is the pneumonic of MSE?
All Sane Men Think That Pizza Is Italian
Appearance & behaviour Speech Mood Thought Form Thought Content Perception Insight IQ (cognition)
Outline what features are assessed in appearance
Distinctive features
- Age, gender, ethnicity etc
Clothing
Posture / gait
Grooming / hygiene
Evidence of self-harm
Outline what features are assessed in behaviour
Eye contact
Facial expression
Psychomotor activity - tremors / ticks / twitches / retardataion
Body language / gestures / mannerisms
Level of arousal - calm / agitated / aggression
Ability to follow requests
Rapport / engagement
Outline what features are assessed in speech
Rate of speech - pressured / slowed
Rhythm and fluency - articulate / clear / slurred
Quantity - minimal / excessive / complete absence
Volume
Tone - monotonous / tremulous
Outline what features are assessed in mood and affect
Mood = sustained state of pt’s inner feelings (weeks - months)
- How are you feeling?
- What is your current mood?
- Have you been feeling low / depressed / anxious lately?
Affect = observable expression of a pt’s inner feelings
- Quality of affect: sad / agitated / hostile, euphoric / animated
- Range of affect: restricted / normal / expansive
- Intensity: normal / blunted / flat
- Fluctuations: labile
Outline what features are assessed in thought form
Speed - accelerated / racing / retarded
Flow / coherence:
Linear - in a logical order
Incoherent - makes no logical sense
Circumstantial - lots of irrelevant / unnecessary details but returns to answer question
Tangential - moves from one thought to the other that relate in some way but never get to the point
Flight of ideas - increased number of ideas, produced at a rapid pace
Perseveration - repetition of a particular response despite absence / removal of stimulus
Outline what features are assessed in thought content
Abnormal beliefs / delusions
Obsessions - pt aware they are irrational but obsessive thoughts continue to enter their head
Overvalued ideas - eg perception of weight in anorexia
Suicidal thoughts
Homocidal / violent thoughts
Thought possession
What questions can be asked to assess thought content?
Whats been on your mind recently?
Are you worried about anything?
Do things seem unreal to you?
Are there any thoughts you have had a hard time getting out of your head?
Do you think anyone is trying to harm you?
Do you have any beliefs that aren’t shared by others you know?
Do you ever think about ending your life?
Have you ever felt that life is not worth living?
Have you ever attempted to end your own life?
Do you ever think about harming people?
What is assessed in thought possession?
Thought insertion
- Do you think people can put ideas in your head?
Thought withdrawal
- Have you ever felt like people have removed / erased things / memories from your mind?
Thought broadcasting
- Do you ever feel like others can hear what you’re thinking?
Outline what features are assessed in perception
Hallucinations
Pseudo-hallucinations
Illusions
Delusions
- Do you ever see, hear, smell, feel or taste things that are not really there?
- Did you think this was real at the time?
- Do you still believe it was real?
Outline what features are assessed in IQ (cognition)
Orientation
- Time
- Place
- Person
Attention and concentration
Short term memory
Detailed testing eg AMTS, MMSE, ACE-III
Outline what features are assessed in insight
Is the pt able to recognise they have a problem or what they are experiencing is abnormal?
What does the pt think is the cause of the problem?
Does the pt want help with their problem?
(+ judgement - eg what would you do if you could smell smoke in your house?)
Outline a psychiatric hx
Presenting Complaint History of presenting complaint Past psychiatric history Past medical history Drugs history Family history Personal history Social history Substance Abuse Forensic history Pre-morbid personality
Outline presenting complaint
Demographics: name, age, marital status, children, employment, housing
In pt own words eg “I’m hearing voices”
Outline history of presenting complaint
Expand on each presenting symptoms
Screen for: depression, anxiety, psychosis, alcohol
Risk: self and others
What is the effect of problems on:
- Relationships, work, social life
- Functioning (work, dressing, cooking)
Treatment: type, compliance, benefit
- Primary care
- Hospital
- Follow up
Outline past psychiatric history
Have you ever experienced anything like this before? Expand
First contact with GP
First contact with psychiatric services
Number of previous admissions
- When, where, duration, symptoms, treatment, follow-up
Ask about DSH, ECT, depts and MHA
Outline PMH
General health / see GP for anything regularly
- DM, asthma etc
- Head injury
- Operations
Outline drug history
Medications
- Name
- Durations
- Dose (adequate trial?)
OTC / self medicated
Aids to compliance
Allergies