Mental State Exam

Question 1

What are the components of the mental state exam?

Answer 1

Appearance
Behaviour
Speech
Mood
Affect
Thoughts
Perception
Insight
Cognition
Risk

Question 2

What aspects should be considered for appearance?

Answer 2

Body Habitus
Facial expression: elated, blunted, blank
Age
Hygiene
Clothing
Distinguishing features

Question 3

What aspects should be considered for behaviour?

Answer 3

Level of anxiety/ motion

Repetitive movements

Question 4

What aspects should be considered for speech?

Answer 4

Rate: Fast, pressured, slow
Rhythm: Disjointed, slurred, legato, staccato
Amount: Few words, pressured
Volume: Loud, quiet, soft

Question 5

What aspects should be considered for mood?

Answer 5

Ask the patient how they are feeling?

High, low, depressed, sad, anxious, blank

Question 6

What aspects should be considered about affect?

Answer 6

Is this congruent with their mood?

Elevated, blunted, withdrawn, depressed

Question 7

What aspects should be considered about though?

Answer 7

Content: Ask the patient what is on their mind
Obsessions/ fixations
Though broadcasting
Though insertion
Though withdrawal

Question 8

What aspects should be considered about perception?

Answer 8

Delusions: False fixed beliefs
Hallucinations: auditory, visual, tactile

Question 9

What aspects should be considered about insight?

Answer 9

Does the patient know they are unwell?
Does the patient see how this is impacting their day to day life?
Is the patient actively seeking help?

Question 10

What aspects should be considered for cognition?

Answer 10

Orientation: time (day, date, month, year), place, person
Memory: Ask them to name three objects, later check when they can recall these items
Attention: Spell WORLD backwards

Question 11

What should be considered as part of the risk assessment?

Answer 11

Harm to self
Harm to others
Suicidal ideation/ intent/ action