THE PSYCHIATRIC INTERVIEW 5 BY DANIEL J
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 FULL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS COMPLETE MENTAL HEALTH
INTERVIEW STUDY SHEET
◉ clues it's a malingering (lying for personal gain) pt
Answer: Tale is too perfect: sxs in near perfect dsm 5 order
- avoid this by keeping questions open ended. then ask something
unexpected like "did you parents have this?" and follow up with
"that's odd, in my experience that's very uncommon for parents to
also have it, are you sure?" watch for a change in response.
Tale is too vague: some don't give detail so they don't slip up
- avoid this by using very close end questions. "in my experience, pts
with panic get tingling lips do you?" if now become very specific they
may be lying.
sxs are unrealistic: voices should be almost always outside their
head, almost never vague, usually intermittent not constant, not
common to have command hallucinations and those who do almost
never obey them, if questioning they almost always chastise not info
seek. Ask specific questions to investigate.
,nothing works: pts may just want to keep disability payments
coming. they need 4-6 wks of compliant meds or 8 therapy sessions.
then offer aggressive txs, if they decline for vague reasons is a tip off.
state you can't keep filling out disability form if they keep rejecting
tx options, they usually stop coming after that.
"I heard about a thing called Klonopin from a friend who has what I
have": red flag if they ask for controlled meds really in interview,
insist early all non addictive txs don't work for them, they report
they tried their friends meds, has Hx of abuse.
- say "are you aware that is very dangerous and addictive?" seekers
will be dramatic and say "really?" or be super calm and say "I know
people say that but I've never had a problem". then ask to speak with
prior prescribers, if hesitant then you know.
◉ how to initiate a family interview with c&a pts?
Answer: go out to greet the pt and say: "why don't we all go in for the
first part of the hour, then maybe I can have some time to chat with
___ afterward."
◉ how do you address a family interview when one party is talking
over the other?
Answer: "everyone obviously had a lot of feelings about this issue
but it is important that I get a chance to hear everyone's viewpoint
without to much interrupting."
,◉ how do you transition from a family interview to an individual
interview with the adolescent?
Answer: "I enjoyed meeting you and now id like to talk about done
things with Matthew. afterward, we'll get back together and discuss
what we've talked about "
◉ how do you start an Adolescent individual interview?
Answer: "okay, now I get to hear your side of the story. we have a
half hour to so to talk confidentially. I got you'll feel comfortable
telling me your side of the story of what's been going on at home."
if family interview was heated say "whew, things got pretty hot
there; what do you think?"
◉ after that initial question what do you say to make Adolescents
more comfortable as you ask personal questions?
Answer: "do you mind if I ask you some personal questions? I may
ask some you're uncomfortable answering and you don't have to
answer if you don't want to."
◉ how to explain confidentiality to an Adolescent
Answer: "I won't tell your parents about anything you say unless I'm
worried that your life might be in danger."
, then before bringing family back in ask: "is there anything you don't
want me to tell your parents?", "it's it okay I tell your parents these
things?", "do you want to or do you want me to?"
◉ how do you get around the "I don't know" syndrome with
Adolescents?
Answer: "look if you really don't know something, that fine. but if
you don't want to tell me something, that okay too. just say "I don't
want to say."
then use fly on the wall analogy: "if I were a fly on the real when you
get into one of your moods, what would I see?"
can also use displacement defense mechanism to your advantage:
"do you have any friends who are in trouble? what's going on with
them?"
◉ how can you get Adolescents to reveal personal info?
Answer: attitude of curiosity and reflect are key: "do you like music?
who do you like?" if you don't know that band tell them that and day
what you like. be real, most Adolescents like goofy more than cool.
then go into questions about school: "where do you go to school?
what's it like? is it fun? easy? what are the kids like there? who do
you hang out with?"
EXAMINATION TEST 2026 FULL QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS COMPLETE MENTAL HEALTH
INTERVIEW STUDY SHEET
◉ clues it's a malingering (lying for personal gain) pt
Answer: Tale is too perfect: sxs in near perfect dsm 5 order
- avoid this by keeping questions open ended. then ask something
unexpected like "did you parents have this?" and follow up with
"that's odd, in my experience that's very uncommon for parents to
also have it, are you sure?" watch for a change in response.
Tale is too vague: some don't give detail so they don't slip up
- avoid this by using very close end questions. "in my experience, pts
with panic get tingling lips do you?" if now become very specific they
may be lying.
sxs are unrealistic: voices should be almost always outside their
head, almost never vague, usually intermittent not constant, not
common to have command hallucinations and those who do almost
never obey them, if questioning they almost always chastise not info
seek. Ask specific questions to investigate.
,nothing works: pts may just want to keep disability payments
coming. they need 4-6 wks of compliant meds or 8 therapy sessions.
then offer aggressive txs, if they decline for vague reasons is a tip off.
state you can't keep filling out disability form if they keep rejecting
tx options, they usually stop coming after that.
"I heard about a thing called Klonopin from a friend who has what I
have": red flag if they ask for controlled meds really in interview,
insist early all non addictive txs don't work for them, they report
they tried their friends meds, has Hx of abuse.
- say "are you aware that is very dangerous and addictive?" seekers
will be dramatic and say "really?" or be super calm and say "I know
people say that but I've never had a problem". then ask to speak with
prior prescribers, if hesitant then you know.
◉ how to initiate a family interview with c&a pts?
Answer: go out to greet the pt and say: "why don't we all go in for the
first part of the hour, then maybe I can have some time to chat with
___ afterward."
◉ how do you address a family interview when one party is talking
over the other?
Answer: "everyone obviously had a lot of feelings about this issue
but it is important that I get a chance to hear everyone's viewpoint
without to much interrupting."
,◉ how do you transition from a family interview to an individual
interview with the adolescent?
Answer: "I enjoyed meeting you and now id like to talk about done
things with Matthew. afterward, we'll get back together and discuss
what we've talked about "
◉ how do you start an Adolescent individual interview?
Answer: "okay, now I get to hear your side of the story. we have a
half hour to so to talk confidentially. I got you'll feel comfortable
telling me your side of the story of what's been going on at home."
if family interview was heated say "whew, things got pretty hot
there; what do you think?"
◉ after that initial question what do you say to make Adolescents
more comfortable as you ask personal questions?
Answer: "do you mind if I ask you some personal questions? I may
ask some you're uncomfortable answering and you don't have to
answer if you don't want to."
◉ how to explain confidentiality to an Adolescent
Answer: "I won't tell your parents about anything you say unless I'm
worried that your life might be in danger."
, then before bringing family back in ask: "is there anything you don't
want me to tell your parents?", "it's it okay I tell your parents these
things?", "do you want to or do you want me to?"
◉ how do you get around the "I don't know" syndrome with
Adolescents?
Answer: "look if you really don't know something, that fine. but if
you don't want to tell me something, that okay too. just say "I don't
want to say."
then use fly on the wall analogy: "if I were a fly on the real when you
get into one of your moods, what would I see?"
can also use displacement defense mechanism to your advantage:
"do you have any friends who are in trouble? what's going on with
them?"
◉ how can you get Adolescents to reveal personal info?
Answer: attitude of curiosity and reflect are key: "do you like music?
who do you like?" if you don't know that band tell them that and day
what you like. be real, most Adolescents like goofy more than cool.
then go into questions about school: "where do you go to school?
what's it like? is it fun? easy? what are the kids like there? who do
you hang out with?"
