Education Purpose.

1. •History Taking.
•Mental Status Examination
•Interview Technique.
•Process Recoding.
METHODS OF MENTAL
HEALTH ASSESSMENT.
BY:K.CHITRA

2. Mental Health Assessment
Definition
A mental health assessment is an examination used to ascertain whether or not a patient is
functioning on a healthy psychological, social, or developmental level. A mental health assessment
can also be used to aid diagnosis of some neurological disorders, specific diseases, or possible
drug abuse.

3. Purpose
• Mental Health assessments are performed to screen for mental health disorders such as
depression or anxiety, or as part of their continuing evaluation.
• They can also be used to help diagnose neurological pathology, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
• A mental health assessment may be indicated if a person is having difficulty at work, school,
or in social situations. For example, a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
(ADHD) or a personality disorder may begin with a mental health assessment as part of their
discovery.
• Mental Health assessments may also be done if substance abuse is suspected.

4. HISTORY TAKING
1. DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
• Client’s Name
• Client’s Age
• Sex
• Marital Status
• Religion
• Occupation
• Socio-economic status
• Address
• Informant of the client
• Information which is given by the informant/client is(relevant or not) adequate or
not

5. II.CHIEF COMPLAINTS
-In patients own words and in informants own words.
E.g.:-Sleeplessnessx3weeks
-Loss of appetite hearing voices x 2weeks
-Talking to self.

6. III.PRESENT PSYCHIATRY HISTORY
Onset -Acute (within a few hours)
-Sub acute- (within a few days)
-Gradual (within a few weeks)
Duration -Days, weeks or minute.
Course -Continous/episodic
Intensity /Same Increasing or Decreasing.
Precipitating factors-yes/no (if yes explain)
History of current episode (explain in detail regarding the presenting complaints).
Associated disturbances- It includes present medical problems (E.g. Disturbance in the
sleep, appetite, IPR & social functioning, occupation etc.)

7. IV.PAST PSYCHIATRIC HISTORY:
-Number of episodic with onset and course
-Complete or incomplete remission
-Duration of each episode.
-Treatment details and its side effects if any
- Treatment outcomes
- Details if any precipitating factors if present.

8. V. a) Past Medical History
b) Past Surgical History
c) Obstetrical History (female)

9. VI.FAMILY HISTORY
Family genogram-5 generations include only grandparents. But if there is a fa
mily history include the particular generation.

11. VII.PERSONAL HISTORY
Pre-natal history -Maternal infections
-Exposure to radiation etc.
-Check ups
-Any complications.
Natal history -Type of delivery
-Any complications
-Breath and cried at birth
-Neonatal infections
-Mile stones: normal or delayed
Behaviour during childhood
-Excessive temper tantrums
-Feeding habit
-Neurotic symptoms
-Pica
-Habit disorders
-Excretory disorders etc.

12. Illness during childhood
-Look Specially for CNS infections
-Epilepsy
-Neurotic disorders
-Malnutrition
Schooling
-Age of going to school
-Performance in the school
-Relationship with peers
-Relationship with teachers
(Specially look for learning disability and attention deficit)
Look for conduct disorders E.g. Truancy, Stealing

13. Occupational history
-Age of joining job
-Relationship with superiors, subordinates colleagues
-Any change in the job-if any give details
• Reason for changing jobs
• Frequent absenteeism
Sexual history
-Age of attaining puberty (female menstrual cycles are regular)
-Source and extent of knowledge about sex, any exposures.
-Marital status: with genogram.

14. VIII PREMORBID PERSONALITY:
Personality sometimes changes after onset of an illness. In a description of the personality
before onset of illness.
•Attitude to self and others: Ego centric, self criticism over concerned self, self-consciousness,
self centered/thoughtful of others, self-appraisal of abilities, achievements and
failures.
•Interpersonal relationships.
•Attitude to work and responsibility:Decisiopn making, acceptance of responsibility,
flexibility.perseverance, foresight.
•Use of leisure time.
•Hobbies, interests, intellectual activities, critical faculty, energetic/sedentary.
•Predominant mood:
•Optimistic/pessimistic; stable/prone to anxiety; cheerful/despondent; reaction to
stressful life events.
•Religious beliefs and moral attitudes.
•Tolerance of others, standards and beliefs conscience, altruism.
•Fantasy life: Sexual nonsexual fantasies; daydreaming-frequency and content;
recurrent or favourite daydreams; dreams.
•Habits: Food fads; alcohol; tobacco; drugs; sleep.

15. THANK YOU