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 ...

The mental status examination is usually denoted as MSE in psychiatric practice. It is the test of mental abilities to measure the level of insanity or abnormality of a person. Hence, the mental functioning of a client is then determined in the process of mental status examination. Psychiatrist takes your mental test same as any physician examines your body to diagnose your physical ailment. There are basically the following areas which are measured in mental status examination: General appearance: it determines the general description of an individual including its clothing, odor, eye contact, movements, attitude etc. Mood: it figures out your attitude, emotions, feelings, and behavior. Thinking patterns: This measures your thought processes that either they are violent, calm, logical, disorganized, or abstract. Memory: disposes your ability to recall past or recent memories. Cognition: determines your ability to evaluate your own self and your abilities to identify your own strength and weaknesses. Insight: refers your realization about the nature of your illness, its complexity, and severity. Speech: it measures the quality of your speech; it is disorganized, clear, low, whispering or yelling. Mental Status Examination Purpose In this context, mental status examination is an important tool of psychiatric practice to diagnose the mental illnesses in patients. The effects of mental status examination are very favorable and helpful to begin further psychological treatment and also post-traumatic stress disorder relief remedies. However, the effects of mental status examination can be clearly seen on client’s mental health. Once the psychiatrist starts taking history ...