Cross-Examining Psych Doctors - Tip #19-The Mental Status Examination (MSE)

A Mental Status Examination (MSE) produces a set of observations made by the doctor during a face-to-face meeting. An MSE should contain a description of the patient’s appearance and social behavior, observations about the patient’s credibility, statements made by the patient indicative of any possible psychopathology, observations of mood or affect, and measurements of the patient’s memory, concentration, insight, and judgment.  Without MSE data supporting the doctor’s diagnosis the report falls by the wayside.

More help can be found at my website (www.drleckartwetc.com) and in my book Psychological Evaluations In Litigation: A Practical Guide for Attorneys and Insurance Adjusters