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Monthly Archives: May 2004

Presenting The Mental Health Viva

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

The Mental Health Viva is split into three sections.
According to Jane Turner (Block Head), the following is expected:
You are expected to highlight the core features (please don’t just read out the proforma!) including key aspects of mental state, then give a diagnosis and differential. The examiners will ask you what other information you want (gaps [...]

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Management of a Mental Patient (VIVA)

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Management Considerations of a patient with a mental illness (considered after performing a Psychiatric History and after having formulated answers to the Mental State Examination.

Immediate Risk / Grounds for admission
Does the patient show signs that they may be a risk to themselves or to others around them?
Is the patient in such a state that [...]

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Mental State Examination

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

The MSE should be in the back of one’s mind when performing a Psychiatric History taking exercise.
Note: the MSE should be made up of observations and answers given during the history taking exercise – not based on the history of the patient etc.
The Mental State Examination Consists of:

Appearance
Are they dishevelled (may indicate depression, schizophrenia [...]

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Psych History Taking

Wednesday, May 26, 2004

When taking a Psychiatric History the following headings should be considered:

Presenting Complaint
What is the psychiatric problem of interest in this patient.
History of presenting complaint
Tease out the details of the presenting complaint including precipitating factors that might have caused this presentation. Ascertain whether this is a new problem or a presentation of an old [...]

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Day One

Sunday, May 23, 2004

Sleep patterns suck. I have a 36 hour sleep/wake cycle at the moment. Why can’t I get it back to normal.
Actually, what is normal for me? Buggered if I know – it never seems to be the same from one week to the next.
I just wish I could get out [...]

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Friday, May 21, 2004

Sleep cycle seems to be on a 36 hour day.
Haven’t slept since 3pm yesterday
Have been to the gym twice.
At least I am getting fit – even if I am a walking zombie.
Mental Health exams one day closer and I still know no more than I did yesterday.
Cooked muffins and an omelette to pass the [...]

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Thursday, May 20, 2004

Woe is me.
Oh get over it.
Mental Health rotation is such a drain.
Why do I only ever write when I am miserable or procrastinating – or both.
Mental Health viva and written in under a week. Eeeek.
Went to Zig Zag St last night. Was way fun. Inspired me to think that I might actually [...]

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