Alverno Interpreter Institute: Mental Health Interpreting Workshop
Scripted Role Play #1 – English
Anxiety
Background: A patient visited the ER for an anxiety attack and is speaking with a
mental health social worker to help with follow-up care.
Provider: So, Mr. Smith, I got a report from the ER doctor about what happened,
but I'd like to hear it directly from you in your own words. What happened this
morning that brought you in to the ER?
Patient: Well, I had just been feeling very anxious.
Provider: When did it all start?
Patient: I started feeling worse a few days ago, but last night it got really bad.
Provider: What happened last night?
Patient: The thing is that all night long, I was feeling nervous and jittery. I just
couldn't relax. My wife was really worried. I tried to go to bed and fall asleep, but I
couldn't. Then, all of a sudden, I felt short of breath. I was gasping for air as if I were
drowning...
Provider: Did you have any other physical symptoms like pain?
Patient: Yeah, I had a terrible headache back here in the nape of my neck.
Provider: You said, Mr. Smith, that you had been feeling bad for several days. What
had you been feeling?
Patient: At work, I couldn't concentrate at all. I was irritable with everyone. My
nerves were shot. Every little thing would startle me. I didn't have any appetite.
Whenever I would eat it would make me nauseous. But the worst thing is that I
couldn't sleep at all. I think it's been like four nights now that I've hardly gotten any
sleep.
Provider: Now, I see from your chart that you had been seen by a psychiatrist for
anxiety in the past. Were you ever prescribed any medications for anxiety or
depression?
1
Scripted Role Play #1 – English
Anxiety
Background: A patient visited the ER for an anxiety attack and is speaking with a
mental health social worker to help with follow-up care.
Provider: So, Mr. Smith, I got a report from the ER doctor about what happened,
but I'd like to hear it directly from you in your own words. What happened this
morning that brought you in to the ER?
Patient: Well, I had just been feeling very anxious.
Provider: When did it all start?
Patient: I started feeling worse a few days ago, but last night it got really bad.
Provider: What happened last night?
Patient: The thing is that all night long, I was feeling nervous and jittery. I just
couldn't relax. My wife was really worried. I tried to go to bed and fall asleep, but I
couldn't. Then, all of a sudden, I felt short of breath. I was gasping for air as if I were
drowning...
Provider: Did you have any other physical symptoms like pain?
Patient: Yeah, I had a terrible headache back here in the nape of my neck.
Provider: You said, Mr. Smith, that you had been feeling bad for several days. What
had you been feeling?
Patient: At work, I couldn't concentrate at all. I was irritable with everyone. My
nerves were shot. Every little thing would startle me. I didn't have any appetite.
Whenever I would eat it would make me nauseous. But the worst thing is that I
couldn't sleep at all. I think it's been like four nights now that I've hardly gotten any
sleep.
Provider: Now, I see from your chart that you had been seen by a psychiatrist for
anxiety in the past. Were you ever prescribed any medications for anxiety or
depression?
1
