Reasons for a Mental Status Examination

The mental status examination is a very important branch of clinical assessment. The mental status examination abbreviated as MSE provides the most basic and significant physiological information of a person. In this assessment, the psychiatrist observes patient’s spheres of consciousness and unconsciousness. Mental status examination is not some random and general question answer session between the interviewer [psychiatrist] and the patient but a structured mode of observing and expressing the mental level of the patient. It involves specific methods, parameters and a defined procedure that helps the interviewer get to the depth of a person’s psyche and maybe the effects of melancholia as well. The reasons for mental test examination conduction are to sort one’s stress and avail the benefits of a mental status examination.

Pre-Mental Test Examination

Before conducting the main part of MSE, the psychiatrist needs to observe the most basic attitudes of the patient that will help to establish a fair idea about the mental condition of the patient. For example, before having a one-to-one conversation with the patient, the interviewer must observe his behavior with the staff and other people in the surrounding. This shall help the interviewer to know about the communication skills of the patient, and how well he is able to move in society. Secondly, it is worthwhile to notice the physical appearance and grooming of the patient the moment he enters the door. The way patient greets and his body language can reveal a lot about him and indicate towards the reasons for mental status examination. To attain the benefits of a mental status examination, it is more advisable to ask the patient general questions at the beginning to ease him. You can also assess the benefits of a mental status examination by its results that will start prevailing shortly after the examination.

Mental Status Examination

After the lighter part of the conversation, the psychiatrist comes to the main part that is a Mental Status Examination. During this examination, patient’s non-verbal cues are observed very keenly, as if he is making an eye contact with the interviewer or not. The body language can reveal a lot about the current as well as the persistent mental state of the patient; for example rubbing the hands, biting nails, tapping feet, folded arms can all indicate towards a disturbed, uncomfortable, and disturbed state of mind and not the best natural antidepressant. In addition to this, the interviewer notices the tone of patient as some patients speak and express too loud while other whisper with long pauses.

Mental Status Examination Reasons

The reasons for mental status examination can be easily evaluated by asking narrow-ended and specific question about how the patients feel about his self and life and what were the reasons for mental status examination. The interviewer also prefers to ask about the personal, family, and social history to establish a better idea about a patient’s life.

Asking the patient to identify different objects, conducting orientation, memory and concentration tests by asking particular questions and presenting various scenarios can reveal a lot about him. The visuospatial processing test that involves simple tasks like drawing a bicycle can contribute greatly towards MSE. Through mental status examination the thought process and thought content of the patient is judged along with his perspective, imagination, cognition, concentration and insight. Through these judgments, the problem is diagnosed which could be treated further in an adequate manner.