Mental state examination Flashcards
What are the domains in the Mental State Examination?
Appearance Behavior Speech Mood/affect Thoughts Perception Cognition Insight
How is appearance assessed?
Description Clothing (appropriate?) Posture/gait Hygiene Evidence of self harm
How is behavior assessed?
Psychomotor retardation Tics Rapport Arousal Enagagement
What would you want to find out about a patient’s speech?
Quantity of speech Rate Rhythm Tone Content Any formal thought disorder
What is the difference between subjective and objective mood?
Subjective mood is the patient’s view.
Objective mood is the professional’s view
What is the difference between mood and affect?
Mood is a sustained emotion over a prolonged period of time.
Affect is the immediate expressed and observed emotion.
Name 3 types of mood
Low/depressed Anxious Angry/irritable Apathetic Elated
What qualities of affect can be commented on?
Quality
Range
Intensity
Fluctuation
Which thoughts must be elicited in the MSE?
Delusions Obsessions Overvalued ideas Suicidal ideation Violent thoughts Thought insertion/withdrawal/broadcasting
Which perceptions must be elicited in the MSE?
Hallucinations
Pseudo-hallucinations
Illusions
How can cognition be tested?
Basic: Orientation to time, place, and person. Attention and concentration. Short term memory.
Detailed: MMSE
How is insight determined?
Is the patient able to recognize they have a problem?
What does the patient think is the cause?
Does the patient want help with their problem?
