Define the parts of the mental state examination
A = appearance and behaviour S = speech E = emotion: mood and affect P = perception T = thoughts I = insight C = cognition
What might you comment on about a person’ s appearance and behaviour?
Appropriate clothing Weight Motor activity Rapport Eye contact
What areas of a patient’s speech should you comment on?
Rate Volume Tone Quantity Pressured?
What are the different ways of describing a patient’s mood?
Subjective - how they think it is
Objective - how you think it is
What should you comment on with regards to thought in the MSE?
Content ?thought disorder Flight of ideas Delusions Obsessions or compulsions Suicidal thoughts
Define a thought disorder
No logical sequence to what the patient is saying
Define delusion
A fixed, false belief that is not in keeping with their culture or religion
What are the commonest types of delusion?
Persecutory
Grandiose
Define obsession
An intrusive, distressing thought that the patient cannot get out of their head
Define compulsion
An action that is carried out to try to get rid of an obsession
What things fall under perception in the MSE?
Illusions
Hallucinations - voices come in through your ear
Pseduohallucinations - voices in your head
Define hallucination
A perception of something in the absence of a stimulus
Give some questions you can use to assess insight
Do you think you are unwell?
Do you think you should be in hospital?
Do you think you need treatment?
