Mental State Exam

Question 1

MSE Criteria

Answer 1

Appearance & Behaviour

Speech

Mood

Thought form & Content

Perception

Risk

Cognition

Insight

Question 2

Appearance and Behaviour

Answer 2

Appearance:
- Well groomed?
- Disheveled?
- How are they dressed?
- Shaved…etc?

Behaviour:
Physical behaviour:
- restless
- Motor activity
(retardation/overactive)

        Other:
         - cooperation
         - Aggression or hostility
         - Overfamiliarity

Question 3

Speech

Answer 3

Poverty of speech—>pressure of speech

Volume: low —-> high

Rhythm: monotonous, staccato(frequent pauses)

Question 4

Mood

Answer 4

Subjectively and/or objectively

Depressed,
Normothymic
Elated
Labile

Question 5

Affect

Answer 5

Emotional tone during interview
- reacting appropriately to what is being discussed
- eg. Laughing when should be laughing, upset when should be upset