History Taking

Question 1

Structure of a psych history

Answer 1

1. demographics (name, age, living, ethnicity, education, employment, MHA status, admission length
2. MHA status
3. HPC
4. psych history
5. PMHx
6. social, substance use, developmental history (if appropriate)
7. family history
8. forensic history
9. collateral history

Question 2

4Ps for diagnostic formulation

Answer 2

predisposing factors
precipitating - 6 Ds (death, drugs, divorce, debt, didn’t take meds, disease)
perpetuating
protective

Question 3

Depression screening Qs

Answer 3

last 2 weeks - felt depressed or can’t feel pleasure

fatigue
anhedonia
psychomotor changes 
appetite, weight
sleep
suicidal 
guilt 
lack of concentration

Question 4

Psychotic screening Qs

General
Hallucinations
Delusions

Answer 4

• do you feel as if you or the world isn’t real?
• do you feel people are trying to harm you?

Hallucinations

• can you see/hear things others cannot
• have you heard voices when no one is there

Delusions

• anything on your mind that you re concerned or worried about
• trying to harm or spy on you
• special abilities
• news talking directly to you
• read your thoughts
• being controlled by someone else

Question 5

Manic screening Qs

Answer 5

Ever felt so happy or energetic that people said you spoke too fast or you behaved out of character?

mood
concentration (they think they are improved)
spending, sex
special abilities
focusing on any projects in particular lately
sleep

Question 6

Anxiety screening Qs

Answer 6

Do you worry a lot or are you an anxious person?

muscle tension 
concentration 
irritable
fatigue
restless
sleep

Question 7

Eating disorder screening Qs

Answer 7

SCOFF (AN)

• make yourself sick
• lose control over how much you eat
• more than one stone in one month
• do you think you are fat
• food dominate your life

Bulimia

• bingeing
• out of control
• concern with body
• purging / compensatory mechanisms

Question 8

OCD screening Qs

Answer 8

repetitive, troubling thoughts that do not go away

have to do certain things repeatedly even if you don’t want to

checking things, cleaning, special order

Question 9

Components of social and personal development history

Answer 9

social - occupation, domestic situation, supports
birth - maternal health
childhood - milestones, relationships, abuse
education - performance, bullying
employment
relationships