Mental Health Exam #2 -Rasmussen
1. Immature defenses:
2. Beck's Cognitive Triad: o Beck proposed that people acquire a psychological
predisposition to depression through early life experiences
o Three autonomic (uncontrollable and repetitive) negative thoughts (triad) are
responsible for development of depression
3. Three autonomic (uncontrollable and repetitive) negative thoughts (triad)
are responsible for development of depression: Negative, self-deprecating view
of self
• "I really never do anything well; everyone else seems smarter."
Pessimistic view of the world
• "Once you're down, you can't get up." • "Bad things everywhere you look."
Belief that negative reinforcement (no validation for the self) will continue
• "It doesn't matter what you do, nothing will get better."
,• "I'll be at this stupid job for the rest of my life."
4. Risk for suicide; Questions: SADPERSONS scale
• S- sex- 1 male
• A- age- 1 if <19 or >45
• D- depression/hopelessness- 2
• P- previous attempts/psychiatric care- 1
• E- excessive alcohol or drug use- 1
• R- rational thinking loss (psychotic or organic illness- 1
• S- separated/widowed/divorced- 1
• O- organized plan or serious attempt- 2
• N- no social support- 1
• S- stated future intent- 1
• Guidelines
o 0-5: may be safe to discharge- discharge with family or friend
o 6-8: probably requires psych consult
,o >8: probably requires hospital admission, voluntary or involuntary
5. Overt statements- RISK FOR SUICIDE: • I can't take it anymore
• Life isn't worth living anymore
• I wish I were dead
• Everyone would be better off if I were dead
6. Covert statements- RISK FOR SUICIDE: • It's okay now. Everything will be fine
• Things will never work out
• I won't be a problem much longer
• Nothing feels good to me anymore and probably never will
• How can I give my body to medical science?
, 7. Behaviors: RISK FOR SUICIDE: Giving away possessions
Writing farewell notes
Making out a will
Putting personal affairs in order
Having global insomnia
Sudden improvements in mood after being depressed or withdrawn
Neglecting personal hygiene
8. Protective factors from suicide: Internal: • Ability to cope with stress
• Religious beliefs
• Frustration tolerance
9. Protective factors from suicide: External: • Responsibility to children or
beloved pets
• Positive therapeutic relationships
• Social supports
10. What do you inquire about Suicide: Ideation: frequency, intensity, duration
1. Immature defenses:
2. Beck's Cognitive Triad: o Beck proposed that people acquire a psychological
predisposition to depression through early life experiences
o Three autonomic (uncontrollable and repetitive) negative thoughts (triad) are
responsible for development of depression
3. Three autonomic (uncontrollable and repetitive) negative thoughts (triad)
are responsible for development of depression: Negative, self-deprecating view
of self
• "I really never do anything well; everyone else seems smarter."
Pessimistic view of the world
• "Once you're down, you can't get up." • "Bad things everywhere you look."
Belief that negative reinforcement (no validation for the self) will continue
• "It doesn't matter what you do, nothing will get better."
,• "I'll be at this stupid job for the rest of my life."
4. Risk for suicide; Questions: SADPERSONS scale
• S- sex- 1 male
• A- age- 1 if <19 or >45
• D- depression/hopelessness- 2
• P- previous attempts/psychiatric care- 1
• E- excessive alcohol or drug use- 1
• R- rational thinking loss (psychotic or organic illness- 1
• S- separated/widowed/divorced- 1
• O- organized plan or serious attempt- 2
• N- no social support- 1
• S- stated future intent- 1
• Guidelines
o 0-5: may be safe to discharge- discharge with family or friend
o 6-8: probably requires psych consult
,o >8: probably requires hospital admission, voluntary or involuntary
5. Overt statements- RISK FOR SUICIDE: • I can't take it anymore
• Life isn't worth living anymore
• I wish I were dead
• Everyone would be better off if I were dead
6. Covert statements- RISK FOR SUICIDE: • It's okay now. Everything will be fine
• Things will never work out
• I won't be a problem much longer
• Nothing feels good to me anymore and probably never will
• How can I give my body to medical science?
, 7. Behaviors: RISK FOR SUICIDE: Giving away possessions
Writing farewell notes
Making out a will
Putting personal affairs in order
Having global insomnia
Sudden improvements in mood after being depressed or withdrawn
Neglecting personal hygiene
8. Protective factors from suicide: Internal: • Ability to cope with stress
• Religious beliefs
• Frustration tolerance
9. Protective factors from suicide: External: • Responsibility to children or
beloved pets
• Positive therapeutic relationships
• Social supports
10. What do you inquire about Suicide: Ideation: frequency, intensity, duration
