MENTAL STATE
EXAMINATION
Dr Leslie Stephan 2013
,What is mental state examination?
An attempt at an objective assessment
of the current state of the person’s
mind
A cross-sectional assessment of the
person at a particular point in time -
mental state can change quickly
An act of OBSERVATION
2
,All we can do is infer the state of the
mind by observing the way the person
looks and acts, as well as from what
they say : thus we note what we
see
hear
smell
(we do not taste or touch the person!)
3
, Standard Elements of the MSE
Appearance
Behaviour
Conversation
Affect
Perception
Cognition
Insight
Judgement
Rapport
4
EXAMINATION
Dr Leslie Stephan 2013
,What is mental state examination?
An attempt at an objective assessment
of the current state of the person’s
mind
A cross-sectional assessment of the
person at a particular point in time -
mental state can change quickly
An act of OBSERVATION
2
,All we can do is infer the state of the
mind by observing the way the person
looks and acts, as well as from what
they say : thus we note what we
see
hear
smell
(we do not taste or touch the person!)
3
, Standard Elements of the MSE
Appearance
Behaviour
Conversation
Affect
Perception
Cognition
Insight
Judgement
Rapport
4
