CMN548 UNIT 1: PSYCHIATRIC HISTORY AND
PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT | 124 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTION
Elements of the psychiatric interview-2 Answer - patient history (subjective
info) and mental status exam (objective info)
Sadock -Complete psychiatric assessment Answer - 1) *Identifying data*: pt
name.sex/,arital status/race/ethnicity/occupation.
*2) Source and reliability:* Where information is coming from
(patient/chart/family) how reliable information is- use own judgment
*3) Chief Complaint*: Pts own statement of why they are here>
*4)HPI History of present illness:* chronological description of current episode
include changes in habits/interests/physical health/relationships.
Length of time /fluctuations in severity/stressors involved.
What alleviates symptoms, triggering factors-why now? Any interventions
(therapy/medications tried).
*Include Psychiatric Review of Systems: *
Mood/anxiety/psychosis/other
,*Mood- depressive symptoms*- sadness/tearfulness/difficulty concentrating
sleep/appetite.
USE SIGECAPS
S- Sleep
I-Interest
G-Guilt
E-Energy
C-Concentration
A-Appetite
P- psychomotor agitation/slowing
S- Suicidality
*Mood-Mania* impulsivity/reckless behavior/grandiosity/decreased need for
sleep/excessive spending/hyper-sexuality, talkativeness/racing thoughts
/excessive energy
*Mood-mixed: *irritability/liability
*ANXIETY *
*Generalized anxiety sx *
( where when who/how long/how frequent
*Panic D/O-*
somatic sx, agoraphobic, SOB, trouble swallowing/sense of doom
*OCD symptoms:*
checking/rituals/organizing rational vs irrational beliefs
,*PTSD:*
nightmares, startle response/flashbacks/avoidance
*Social Anxiety Symptoms/Simple phobias*
*Psychosis*
*Hallucinations*
- Auditory/visual olfactory/tactile
*Paranoia*
*Delusions*
- TV,radio, thought broadcasting/referential thinking/
*Patient perceptions:*
spiritual beleifs/reality testing
*Other:* ADHD -hyperactivity Eating D/O.
*5)Past Psychiatric History:*
All psych illnesses/course/ past treatments hospitalizations. Medications used
how long a trial - Side effects problems with treatment. Past Suicide attempt
Identifying data Answer - patient's name, age, sex, marital status/ significant
other, race, ethnicity, occupation
, source and reliability Answer - clarify where the information came from and
how reliable the data are
chief complaint Answer - Patient's presenting condition in their own words
The history of present illness definition Answer - the chronological description
of the evolution of the symptoms of the current episode
History of present illness: What to include Answer - *Chronological description
of the evolution of the symptoms of the current episode.
*Any changes that have occurred:* interests, relationships, behaviors, personal
habits, physical health.
*Ask open ended questions to get the info ("Can you tell me what brings you
here today?")
*Length of time that the current sx have been present
*Fluctuations of sx in severity or nature of sx over time?
*Presence of absence of stressors
*Factors that alleviate or exacerbate sx
*Has the person already sought treatment? (if so, who patient saw, what was
done, how often, modality, continuing treatment?)
PSYCHIATRIC ASSESSMENT | 124 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTION
Elements of the psychiatric interview-2 Answer - patient history (subjective
info) and mental status exam (objective info)
Sadock -Complete psychiatric assessment Answer - 1) *Identifying data*: pt
name.sex/,arital status/race/ethnicity/occupation.
*2) Source and reliability:* Where information is coming from
(patient/chart/family) how reliable information is- use own judgment
*3) Chief Complaint*: Pts own statement of why they are here>
*4)HPI History of present illness:* chronological description of current episode
include changes in habits/interests/physical health/relationships.
Length of time /fluctuations in severity/stressors involved.
What alleviates symptoms, triggering factors-why now? Any interventions
(therapy/medications tried).
*Include Psychiatric Review of Systems: *
Mood/anxiety/psychosis/other
,*Mood- depressive symptoms*- sadness/tearfulness/difficulty concentrating
sleep/appetite.
USE SIGECAPS
S- Sleep
I-Interest
G-Guilt
E-Energy
C-Concentration
A-Appetite
P- psychomotor agitation/slowing
S- Suicidality
*Mood-Mania* impulsivity/reckless behavior/grandiosity/decreased need for
sleep/excessive spending/hyper-sexuality, talkativeness/racing thoughts
/excessive energy
*Mood-mixed: *irritability/liability
*ANXIETY *
*Generalized anxiety sx *
( where when who/how long/how frequent
*Panic D/O-*
somatic sx, agoraphobic, SOB, trouble swallowing/sense of doom
*OCD symptoms:*
checking/rituals/organizing rational vs irrational beliefs
,*PTSD:*
nightmares, startle response/flashbacks/avoidance
*Social Anxiety Symptoms/Simple phobias*
*Psychosis*
*Hallucinations*
- Auditory/visual olfactory/tactile
*Paranoia*
*Delusions*
- TV,radio, thought broadcasting/referential thinking/
*Patient perceptions:*
spiritual beleifs/reality testing
*Other:* ADHD -hyperactivity Eating D/O.
*5)Past Psychiatric History:*
All psych illnesses/course/ past treatments hospitalizations. Medications used
how long a trial - Side effects problems with treatment. Past Suicide attempt
Identifying data Answer - patient's name, age, sex, marital status/ significant
other, race, ethnicity, occupation
, source and reliability Answer - clarify where the information came from and
how reliable the data are
chief complaint Answer - Patient's presenting condition in their own words
The history of present illness definition Answer - the chronological description
of the evolution of the symptoms of the current episode
History of present illness: What to include Answer - *Chronological description
of the evolution of the symptoms of the current episode.
*Any changes that have occurred:* interests, relationships, behaviors, personal
habits, physical health.
*Ask open ended questions to get the info ("Can you tell me what brings you
here today?")
*Length of time that the current sx have been present
*Fluctuations of sx in severity or nature of sx over time?
*Presence of absence of stressors
*Factors that alleviate or exacerbate sx
*Has the person already sought treatment? (if so, who patient saw, what was
done, how often, modality, continuing treatment?)
