Mental Status Examination Essential Concepts Mnemonic for Elements of the Mental Status Examination: All Borderline Subjects Are Tough, Troubled Characters Appearance Behavior Speech Affect Thought process Thought content Cognitive examination…
Interviewing for Diagnosis: The Art of Hypothesis Testing Essential Concepts Use the free speech period for generating hypotheses. Investigate each hypothesis with screening and probing questions. Make graceful transitions to…
How to Memorize the Dsm-Iv-Tr Criteria Essential Concepts DSM-IV-TR Mnemonic: Depressed Patients Sound Anxious, So Claim Psychiatrists Depression and other mood disorders Psychotic disorders Substance abuse disorders Anxiety disorders Somatoform…
Obtaining the Social and Developmental History Essential Concepts Can you tell me a bit about your background, where you grew up, and how you grew up? Explore the following topics…
Family Psychiatric History Screening Questions Has any blood relative ever had nervousness, a nervous breakdown, depression, mania, psychosis or schizophrenia, alcohol or drug abuse, suicide attempts, or hospitalization for nervousness?…
Screening for General Medical Conditions Screening Questions Mnemonic: MIDAS Do you take any Medications now? Do you have any medical Illnesses? Do you have a primary care Doctor? Have you…
Obtaining the Psychiatric History Essential Questions Syndromal history: How old were you when you first had these symptoms? How many episodes have you had? When was the last episode? Mnemonic…
Obtaining the History of Present Illness Essential Questions What has been happening over the past week or two that has brought you into the clinic? Have there been any events…
Practical Psychodynamics in the Diagnostic Interview Essential Concepts Assess your patient’s degree of reality distortion. Detect negative transference and move beyond it. Identify defense mechanisms and coping responses. Use your…
Techniques for Other Challenging Situations Essential Concepts The hostile patient. The seductive patient. The tearful patient. Be firm, fair, and understanding. Hold the reins in one hand and a lump…
