Homework: Conducting a Diagnostic Interview with a Mental Status Exam
Before moving through diagnostic decision making, a social worker needs to conduct an interview that builds on a biopsychosocial assessment. New parts are added that clarify the timing, nature, and sequence of symptoms in the diagnostic interview. The Mental Status Exam (MSE) is a part of that process.
The MSE is designed to systematically help diagnosticians recognize patterns or syndromes of a person's cognitive functioning. It includes very particular, direct observations about affect and other signs of which the client might not be directly aware.
When the diagnostic interview is complete, the diagnostician has far more detail about the fluctuations and history of symptoms the patient self-reports, along with the direct observations of the MSE. This combination greatly improves the chances of accurate diagnosis. Conducting the MSE and other special diagnostic elements in a structured but client-sensitive manner supports that goal. In this Homework, you take on the role of a social worker conducting an MSE.
To prepare:
i. Watch the video describing an MSE. Then watch the Sommers-Flanagan (2014) "Mental Status Exam" video clip. Make sure to take notes on the nine domains of the interview.
ii. Review the Morrison (2014) reading on the elements of a diagnostic interview.
iii. Review the 9 Areas to evaluate for a Mental Status Exam and example diagnostic summary write-up provided in this Week's resources.
iv. Write up a Mental Status Exam for Carl based upon his interview with Dr. Sommers.
Write 2 to 3 pages case presentation paper in which you complete both parts outlined below:
Part 1: Diagnostic Summary and MSE
Provide a diagnostic summary of the client, Carl. Within this summary include:
I. Identifying Data/Client demographics
II. Chief complaint/Presenting Problem
III. Present illness
IV. Past psychiatric illness
V. Substance use history
VI. Past medical history
VII. Family history
VIII. Mental Status Exam (Be professional and concise for all nine areas)
i. Appearance
ii. Behavior or psychomotor activity
iii. Attitudes toward the interviewer or examiner
iv. Affect and mood
v. Speech and thought
vi. Perceptual disturbances
vii. Orientation and consciousness
viii. Memory and intelligence
ix. Reliability, judgment, and insight
Part 2: Analysis of MSE
After completing Part 1 of the Homework, provide an analysis and demonstrate critical thought in your response to the following:
i. Identify any areas in your MSE that require follow-up data collection.
ii. Explain how using the cross-cutting measure would add to the information gathered.
iii. Do Carl's answers add to your ability to diagnose him in any specific way? Why or why not?
iv. What concerns would you have about Carl's mannerisms in the interview or his spontaneous content and unusual beliefs?
v. How would you address these mannerisms and beliefs?
vi. Would you discuss them with Carl now or in the future? Why?
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
i) The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
ii) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
iii) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.