MSE

Question 1

Components of MSE

Answer 1

Appearance + Behaviour 
Speech 
Mood + Affect 
Perception 
Thought 
Insight 
Cognition

Question 2

appearance

Answer 2

age 
sex
dress
unkempt 
signs of self harm

Question 3

behaviour

Answer 3

alert/confused
calm/agitated
fidgeting 
eye contact 
inappropriate

Question 4

speech

Answer 4

quality - clarity and volume
quantity - too much/little
rate - pressure? poverty?

Question 5

mood + affect

Answer 5

mood - low/euthymic/elated/anxious/angry/apathy/agitated
affect - blunt/flat/labile Congruent?
suicidal thoughts

Question 6

perception

Answer 6

hallucinations?

Question 7

thought

Answer 7

form - speed, flow, circumstantial, tangential, flight of ideas, loosening of associations
content - abnormal belief/delusions, obsessions
possession - insertion, withdrawal, broadcasting

Question 8

insight

Answer 8

does pt recognise problem?
what does pt think is causing problem?
does pt want help with problem?

Question 9

cognition

Answer 9

orientated - time, place, person
attention and concentration
short term memory