Mental State Examination

Question 1

List the components of a mental state examination (ASEPTIC)

Answer 1

Appearance + behaviour
Speech
Emotion (mood + affect)
Perception (hallucinations)
Thought
Insight
Cognition

Question 2

What is the difference between viewing a patient objectively and subjectively?

Answer 2

Objectively: without emotions or feelings, just purely what’s there in front of you (fact)
Subjectively: taking into account emotions and wider interpretation

Question 3

List aspects of behaviour in a patient you should look out for

Answer 3

Appropriate to situation
Agitation/irritation
Cooperation
Eye contact
Rapport and attitude

Question 4

List aspects of speech in a patient you should look out for

Answer 4

Pace/rate
Volume
Tone
Articulation
Vocabulary

Question 5

List different thought disorders

Answer 5

Flighting ideas
Thought poverty
Thought blocking
Tangential thought
Loosened association
Circumstantiality

Question 6

What are neologisms?

Answer 6

Abnormality of speech where patient combines words/phrases in illogical ways that have idiosyncratic meaning to the patient

Question 7

How is a patient’s insight assessed?

Answer 7

Awareness of one’s own symptoms
Attribution of symptoms to mental illness
Appraisal of consequences
Acceptance of treatment