Mental Status Examination 1 
Mental Status Exam
Mental status is the total expression of a person’s emotional responses, mood, cognitive function, and personality
It is closely linked to the individual’s executive functioning, i.e. motivation, initiative, goal formation, planning and performing, self-monitoring, and integration of feedback
The MSE is one component of an exam and may be viewed as the psychological equivalent of the physical exam
It is an important component to a neurological evaluation
Mental Status Exam: Outline
Appearance
Motor Behaviors & Skills
Speech
Affect
Thought Content
Thought Processes
Perception
Intellect
Insight
Mini-Mental Status Exam
MSE: Appearance (Observed)
Age
Sex, Race
Build
Position & Posture
Eye Contact
Dress
Grooming
Interaction Style
Attentiveness
Distinguishing features
Physical Abnormalities
Facial expression
Alertness
MSE: Motor (Observed)
Retardation-Acceleration
Agitation
Abnormal Movements
Gait & Stance
Catatonia
MSE: Attitude (Observed)
Cooperative
Hostile
Open
Secretive
Evasive
Suspicious Apathetic Easily distracted Focused
Defensive.
MSE: Speech (Observed)
Rate
Rhythm
Volume
Articulation
Spontaneity
Amount & Style
MSE: Affect (Observed)
Stability
Range
Appropriateness
Intensity
Affect (in session)
Mood (patient’s report)
MSE: Affect/ Mood (Inquired)
Mood is a sustained state of inner feeling. Possible questions are
What are you feeling right now?
MSE: Thought Content (Inquired)
Suicide-Homicide
Obsessiveness, ruminations
Depressive
Phobias
Ideas of reference
Paranoia
Magical Ideation delusions Overvalued Ideas
Major themes
Questions to check Thought Content
Suicidal
Do you ever feel that life isn’t worth living?
Homicidal
Do you think about hurting others or getting even with people who have wronged you?”
Obsessions
Are there thoughts or images that you have a really difficult time getting out of your head?
Phobias
Are you worried/scared/frightened about something or other?
Delusions
Do you have personal beliefs that are not shared
Mental status is the total expression of a person’s emotional responses, mood, cognitive function, and personality
It is closely linked to the individual’s executive functioning, i.e. motivation, initiative, goal formation, planning and performing, self-monitoring, and integration of feedback
The MSE is one component of an exam and may be viewed as the psychological equivalent of the physical exam
It is an important component to a neurological evaluation
Mental Status Exam: Outline
Appearance
Motor Behaviors & Skills
Speech
Affect
Thought Content
Thought Processes
Perception
Intellect
Insight
Mini-Mental Status Exam
MSE: Appearance (Observed)
Age
Sex, Race
Build
Position & Posture
Eye Contact
Dress
Grooming
Interaction Style
Attentiveness
Distinguishing features
Physical Abnormalities
Facial expression
Alertness
MSE: Motor (Observed)
Retardation-Acceleration
Agitation
Abnormal Movements
Gait & Stance
Catatonia
MSE: Attitude (Observed)
Cooperative
Hostile
Open
Secretive
Evasive
Suspicious Apathetic Easily distracted Focused
Defensive.
MSE: Speech (Observed)
Rate
Rhythm
Volume
Articulation
Spontaneity
Amount & Style
MSE: Affect (Observed)
Stability
Range
Appropriateness
Intensity
Affect (in session)
Mood (patient’s report)
MSE: Affect/ Mood (Inquired)
Mood is a sustained state of inner feeling. Possible questions are
What are you feeling right now?
MSE: Thought Content (Inquired)
Suicide-Homicide
Obsessiveness, ruminations
Depressive
Phobias
Ideas of reference
Paranoia
Magical Ideation delusions Overvalued Ideas
Major themes
Questions to check Thought Content
Suicidal
Do you ever feel that life isn’t worth living?
Homicidal
Do you think about hurting others or getting even with people who have wronged you?”
Obsessions
Are there thoughts or images that you have a really difficult time getting out of your head?
Phobias
Are you worried/scared/frightened about something or other?
Delusions
Do you have personal beliefs that are not shared