Mental state examination

Question 1

components of mental state examination

Answer 1

appearance
behaviour
speech
mood
perception
thought 
risk and suicidal ideation
cognition
insight

Question 2

appearance

Answer 2

overall impression, physical condition, suitability of dress, cleanliness

Question 3

behaviour

Answer 3

appropriateness eg aggressive, agitated, overfamiliar, eye contact, distractibility, abnormal involuntary movement, rapport

Question 4

speech

Answer 4

rate, rhythm, volume, tone, coherence, relevance, quantity and fluency, abnormal associations clan and punning, flight of ideas

Question 5

mood

Answer 5

mood- subjective

affect- objective- are they reactive

Question 6

perception

Answer 6

illusion disordered perception of a real object

visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory hallucinations

Question 7

thought

Answer 7

flow- how thoughts flow from one into another
form-
content- delusions, thought disorders (insertion, withdrawal, broadcasting), overvalued ideas, obsessive thoughts etc

Question 8

risk and suicidal ideation

Answer 8

thoughts of self harm or suicide or harm to others. Ask about- intent, plan (active and imagined), lethality of plan, urge to act upon, reasons for and against

Question 9

cognition

Answer 9

attention and concentration, orientation to time place and person, short term memory

Question 10

insight

Answer 10

are they aware they have a mental disorder and what do they think should be done