Personalities
I often feel inadequate and have difficulty when someone tells me I did something wrong. I have a fear of criticism, disapproval, or rejection. I only like to be in situations where I feel comfortable with the people and I know they like me. I wouldn't say I like to take personal risks. I play it safe. Name my personality disorder.
Avoidant Personality Disorder
I really have difficulty controlling my anxiety & worry. My doctor says I worry & stress more days than not for over 6 months. This has excessively affected the way I function day-to-day including at work, my finances, relationships, and the way I view the world. I get tense and restless. My doctor says CBT therapy and SSRIs will help me a lot. He doesn't really want to give me benzos because he thinks I might get addicted. What is my Psych disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
I recurrently skin pick my hands, face, & arms, sometimes the rest of my body too. I see a pimple or scratch and just feel the urge to pick it often creating open sores and scarring. I pick for months and at times years. My skin picking interferes with my daily life & relationships leading to embarrassment, shame, & infections of the skin. I can't stop. What is my Psych disorder
Excoriation (Skin-Picking) Disorder
Sophia, a 38-year-old graphic designer, had always considered herself to have a good memory. But one day, while walking through her neighborhood, she suddenly found herself in an unfamiliar part of town with no recollection of how she got there. Panic set in as she realized she couldn’t remember the past few hours of her day. It was as if time had just vanished.
This wasn’t the first time Sophia had experienced something like this. Over the past year, she had started to notice gaps in her memory—missing conversations, appointments she couldn’t recall making, and sometimes even entire days that seemed to disappear. These episodes were unsettling and left her feeling anxious and confused. Name my Disorder!
Dissociative Amnesia
My patient appears irritable and anxious. He is getting in and out of the bed without calling for assistance and seems increasingly aggressive. He gets angry when I ask him questions or offer him something to eat or drink. What component of the Mental Status Assessment am I?
Mood & Affect
I direct all my attention completely toward my patients. I avoid engaging in other tasks like charting & looking at my computer while I am talking with my patient. I also avoid interruptions when I am conversating with my patients & families. Name my Interpersonal Skill...
Being Available
I have a disregard for the rights of others. I am often associated with deceive, am impulsive, and show aggressive behavior. I have been in trouble with the law a few times. I rarely plan for things. I don't consider the safety of those around me. I don't care when others get hurt or mistreated. Name my personality disorder.
Antisocial Personality Disorder
My fear goes from 2 to 10 in just a few minutes, but it usually doesn't last longer than 10-15 minutes. I feel so scared and impending doom. Sometimes I don't even have a trigger. I just get very fearful suddenly. My vital signs increase, and I may sweat, have SOB, angina, dizziness, & paresthesia. I have feelings of unreality, feeling detached, and fears of dying or losing control like I am going crazy. I am afraid of this happening again. My doctor says try CBT & SSRIs, but I don't often take the oral meds because my attacks only last several minutes. What is my Psych disorder
Panic Disorder
After witnessing my friend's death, I experience intense fear, helplessness, and horror. I sometimes get flashbacks or avoid situations reminding me of the event. I feel detached, have a heightened sense of arousal, trouble sleeping, hypervigilance, & an exaggerated startle response. My doctor recommends Psychotherapy, SSRIs, sertraline, & progressive relaxation exercises. What is my Psych disorder
PTSD
David, a 32-year-old engineer, had always felt like there were parts of his life that didn’t quite add up. He often found items in his home that he didn’t remember buying, and people would refer to conversations or events that he had no memory of. Sometimes, David would "lose time"—he’d look at the clock and realize hours had passed without any recollection of what he’d been doing.
These experiences became more pronounced after a traumatic car accident, where David began to hear voices in his head, each with a distinct personality and way of speaking. These voices weren’t just thoughts—they felt like entirely separate people living inside him. Some days, David would wake up and find that he was dressed in clothes he wouldn’t normally wear, or he’d find handwritten notes in different handwriting styles.
Feeling increasingly distressed and confused, David sought help from a mental health professional. After a thorough evaluation, he was diagnosed with ..., a condition where two or more distinct identities or personality states take control of an individual’s behavior at different times. Each identity, or "alter," may have its own name, age, gender, memories, and even preferences. Name my Disorder!
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) or Multiple Personality Disorder
I ask my patient to learn three unrelated words and to recall these words in 5 minutes later.
Memory and Attention
I concentrate on what my patient is saying and how they share their feelings and experiences. I avoid cutting off my patient and jumping to conclusions. I am aware of my own thoughts & feelings which helps me to be aware of my body language & verbal responses. Name my Interpersonal Skill...
Listening
I am intense, have unstable emotions and relationships with a fear of abandonment, and a pattern of impulsivity. I often feel empty inside and get really angry having a hard time to control my rage. I struggle with self-image and threaten to commit suicide at times.
Borderline Personality Disorder
My obsessions (thoughts) and my compulsions (behaviors) cause me great stress, are time-consuming, & interfere w/daily life. I feel like my hands are so dirty and I wash them 30 times daily which helps me feel better. If I can't wash them, I feel an internal sense of distress which is too overwhelming to handle. My doctor says my EEG may look different compared to others. My frontal cortex doesn't talk well with my deeper brain & causes problems with my seratonin transport system. She says I should try TCAs or SSRIs w/CBT. What is my Psych disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
I experienced an intense & stressful event less than a month ago and have been having recurrent dreams, flashbacks, a negative mood, feelings of detachment, reduced situational awareness, inability to remember all details of the event, avoiding things & situations, irritability, getting startled easily, and outbursts. What is my Psych disorder
Acute Stress Disorder
Mark, a 25-year-old college student, had always been an imaginative and creative person. He enjoyed writing, drawing, and spending time in nature. But during his junior year of college, things started to change. He began to feel like the world around him was becoming distorted. At first, it was subtle—he noticed that people seemed to be talking about him when he walked into a room, even though no one had said anything directly to him. He started hearing faint whispers and seeing shadows out of the corner of his eye.
As time went on, these experiences became more intense. Mark began to hear voices in his head—distinct, clear voices that seemed to come from outside of him. Sometimes they would comment on what he was doing, other times they would criticize him, telling him that he was worthless or that people were out to get him. The voices were relentless and impossible to ignore.
Mark also started to believe that there were hidden messages in everyday things—billboards, television shows, even in the way people looked at him. He became convinced that there was a vast conspiracy against him, orchestrated by people in positions of power. These delusions made him increasingly paranoid. He withdrew from his friends and family, fearing that they might be part of the conspiracy. He stopped going to classes, believing that his professors were spying on him.
Eventually, Mark's parents noticed that something was seriously wrong. He had become reclusive, stopped taking care of himself, and was often seen talking to himself. They tried to talk to him, but he was too deep in his delusions to listen. Concerned for his safety, they convinced him to see a psychiatrist. Name my Disorder!
Schizophrenia
I am focused on my patient's ability to take in, process, and communicate information. I ask questions to assess his orientation including time, date, place, person, and situation. What component of the Mental Status Examination am I?
Sensorium
I like to validate my understanding of what my patient is saying to me. For example, I often ask questions and avoid the use of the word Why. This helps my patients open up to me and I gain a better understanding of what my patient is telling me and how he/she feels. Name my Interpersonal Skill...
Clarifying
My disorder is marked by grandiosity, need for admiration, and a lack of empathy. I get upset if someone doesn't give me the attention and admiration I deserve. I feel that I am better than others and everyone should know it. I have no problem putting others down and manipulating them to get my reward and the recognition I deserve. Name my personality disorder.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
I am ugly, unattractive, abnormal, deformed, and pretty much hideous. I look like a monster! I often compare myself to all the normal people all day with my thoughts and perceptions taking up so much of my time. I can't control the way I think about myself. I am constantly in front of the mirror checking myself, trying to fix all these flaws. Sometimes I may even skin-pick and think of ending my terrible life. What is my Psych disorder
Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Jessica, a 34-year-old teacher, had always been in good health. However, over the past year, she began to experience a variety of physical symptoms that seemed to come out of nowhere. It started with persistent headaches, which soon escalated to severe abdominal pain, fatigue, and muscle aches. Jessica visited multiple doctors, underwent numerous tests, and even had several scans done, but the results always came back normal. Despite this, the pain was real to Jessica—debilitating enough to interfere with her daily life and work.
Her anxiety grew as doctors repeatedly told her that nothing was wrong. Jessica found it difficult to believe that the symptoms she felt so intensely could have no physical cause. She started to feel frustrated, isolated, and even began to question her sanity. Friends and family, while supportive at first, became less patient over time, suggesting that maybe it was "all in her head."
The turning point came when Jessica was referred to a psychiatrist after one of her doctors suggested that her symptoms might be linked to stress or anxiety. Initially, Jessica was offended by the suggestion that her suffering could be psychological. But as her symptoms worsened, she decided to give it a try. Name my Disorder!
Somatic Symptom Disorder
Sarah, a 28-year-old nurse, had always been known for her sunny disposition. She was the one her friends turned to when they needed support, and she found fulfillment in helping others through her work. But over the past few months, something had changed. The joy she once found in her daily life began to fade, replaced by a deep, unshakable sadness.
At first, Sarah thought she was just going through a rough patch. She had recently moved to a new city for work, and the stress of adjusting to a new environment seemed like a plausible explanation for her low mood. But the feelings persisted and grew worse over time. Sarah started to feel exhausted all the time, even after a full night’s sleep. She lost interest in the things she used to love—reading, hiking, spending time with friends. Even the thought of getting out of bed in the morning felt overwhelming.
Sarah began to isolate herself from others, finding it increasingly difficult to socialize or even respond to text messages. She felt numb, as though a heavy fog had settled over her mind. It became hard to concentrate at work, and she started making mistakes she would never have made before. Simple tasks felt monumental, and she often found herself crying for no apparent reason.
As the weeks went on, Sarah’s feelings of hopelessness intensified. She began to have thoughts that scared her—thoughts that maybe life wasn’t worth living, that she was a burden to those around her, and that the world would be better off without her. These thoughts were persistent, gnawing at her mind day and night.
Realizing that she couldn’t go on like this, Sarah reached out to her family, confessing how she had been feeling. Her parents were shocked; they hadn’t realized the extent of her struggle, but they were deeply concerned and urged her to seek professional help. With their support, Sarah made an appointment with a therapist. Name my Disorder!
Major Depressive Disorder
I am listening to my patient describe his symptoms and circumstances. He continuously describes to me how the FBI is following him and has bugged his house. He is also shared how he has to lock the door 10 times and wash his skin for cuts where a device was implanted by the FBI. I assess whether he has the presence or absence of obsessions, compulsions, phobias, and perseverations. What component of the Mental Status Assessment am I?
Thought Content
I pay close attention to my patient's verbal and non-verbal communication during conversations. The smallest details like tapping a foot or fidgeting help me to understand what I am seeing my patient do and say. Name this Interpersonal Skill...
Sharing Observations
I am characterized by a preoccupation with orderliness, perfectionism, and control which causes me to struggle in relationships. I must have lists, details, rules, organization, and schedules to feel safe and secure. I may be stubborn when I don't get things the way I want them and show restricted emotional expression. Name my personality disorder.
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder
I love to hold onto all my precious posessions and simply can not throw them away or give them away. As I long as I keep my things, I will always have everything I need. I have strong feelings about losing important information and keep all my newspapers, magazines. Even though my living space is unmanageable, I get distressed with the thought of getting rid of my things. My family keeps telling me I need to get rid of my treasures and clean up, but I tell them to go look at Janise's house, my cousin. Her house is a disaster. What is my Psych disorder
Hoarding disorder
Tom, a 45-year-old accountant, had always been health-conscious, but over the past few years, his concern about his health had grown into an all-consuming fear. It all started when he read an article about a rare type of cancer. Since then, Tom became hyper-aware of every sensation in his body, constantly worrying that they might be symptoms of a serious illness.
Every time he felt a slight ache, a twinge of pain, or noticed any minor change in his body, Tom’s mind would immediately jump to the worst-case scenario. A mild headache became a potential brain tumor; a cough turned into a sign of lung cancer. He spent hours each day researching symptoms online, which only fueled his anxiety. The more he read, the more convinced he became that he had some undiagnosed, life-threatening condition.
Tom visited numerous doctors, specialists, and underwent countless tests, all of which came back normal. Despite the reassurances from medical professionals that he was in good health, Tom couldn't shake the belief that something was terribly wrong. His anxiety spiraled to the point where he was afraid to leave his house, fearing that he might collapse or that the doctors had missed something critical.
This fear affected his relationships and work. Tom's wife, initially supportive, started to feel frustrated and helpless as she watched him spiral into obsessive worry. His friends grew distant, unable to understand why he was constantly talking about his health. At work, Tom's productivity plummeted because he was so preoccupied with his health concerns. Name my Disorder!
Illness Anxiety Disorder
Jason, a 30-year-old software engineer, had always been full of energy and ambition. He was the type of person who could juggle multiple projects at work, stay up late working on personal hobbies, and still find time to socialize with friends. But for as long as he could remember, his life had been a rollercoaster of extreme highs and crushing lows.
During his "high" periods, which he later learned were episodes of mania, Jason felt invincible. His mind raced with ideas, and he would start new projects with boundless enthusiasm, often believing he was on the verge of some groundbreaking discovery. He would stay up for days with little to no sleep, convinced that he didn’t need it. Jason became more sociable, confident, and even impulsive, spending money recklessly and making big plans that didn’t always make sense in hindsight. During these times, he felt like he was on top of the world, but those around him could see that something wasn’t right.
Inevitably, the high would come crashing down, and Jason would plummet into a deep depression. The energy and excitement he had felt just days before would disappear, leaving him feeling exhausted, hopeless, and unable to find joy in anything. Simple tasks like getting out of bed or going to work felt impossible. His thoughts turned dark, and he struggled with feelings of worthlessness and guilt. Jason often isolated himself during these periods, unable to explain the sudden shift in his mood to those around him.
The constant cycle of highs and lows took a toll on Jason’s relationships and his work. Friends and family members were concerned but didn’t know how to help. His erratic behavior during manic episodes and his withdrawal during depressive episodes made it difficult for him to maintain stability in his life. He began to feel like he was on an emotional seesaw, with no control over where his mood would take him next.
Eventually, after a particularly severe depressive episode, Jason realized that he needed help. Name my Disorder!
Bipolar Disorder
My patient shares with me she has felt like ending her life since she can no longer walk and play basketball after her car accident. I ask her questions like, "Have you ever had or are you having thoughts or ideas about suicide?" "Have you ever attempted suicide?" Have you ever had or currently have any ideas about how to commit suicide?" Have you every had or currently have any intention to carry out a plan to commit suicide?"
Suicide Risk Assessment
Sometimes just sitting in silence lets my patient and I sort through our feelings, organize our thinking, and understand our own thoughts enabling us to communicate more effectively. It may feel a little awkward at first. Name my Interpersonal Skill...
Accepting Silence
I do not feel I have the capacity for close relationships. People don't understand me and don't see or feel life the way I do. My personality is characterized by eccentric behavior, odd beliefs or magical thinking, and social anxiety. Name my personality disorder.
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
I have bald spots now because I feel the need to pull out my hair. My hair pulling has caused me so much stress socially, at work, and in daily life. I usually pull my eyebrows, hair on my head, and eyelashes during emotional &/or psychological stressors. I don't have these behaviors in front of others, maybe my family. My sister has OCD. What is my Psych disorder
Trichotillomania
Emily, a 29-year-old marketing manager, had always been a high achiever. She thrived under pressure and was known for her ability to juggle multiple projects at work. But over the past few months, life had become increasingly stressful. She was dealing with a demanding work schedule, a recent breakup, and the pressure of caring for her aging mother. Although Emily tried to keep everything together, the stress began to take a toll on her.
One morning, Emily woke up and realized she couldn't move her right arm. It felt heavy, almost paralyzed. Panic set in as she tried to get out of bed, but her legs felt weak and unsteady. Frightened, she called an ambulance and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors performed a series of tests—blood work, MRI scans, neurological exams—but everything came back normal. There was no medical explanation for her symptoms.
Emily was referred to a neurologist, who, after reviewing her case and considering her recent stressors, suggested that she might have ... Disorder. The neurologist explained that this is a condition where psychological stress or trauma manifests as physical symptoms that cannot be explained by any underlying medical condition. Usually neurological s/s show up after a traumatic event. The symptoms are real, but they stem from the brain's response to overwhelming stress, rather than from any physical damage or disease.
Emily was shocked and confused. She couldn’t believe that her inability to move her arm and the weakness in her legs could be caused by stress. She felt embarrassed and worried that people would think she was "faking" it. However, her neurologist reassured her that this is a well-documented and legitimate condition, and that the symptoms she was experiencing were not under her conscious control. Name my Disorder!
Conversion or Functional Neurologic Symptom Disorder
_________ are false sensory perceptions that occur in the absence of any real external stimulus. This means a person perceives something that isn’t actually present in their environment.
_________ are firmly held false beliefs that are resistant to reason or contrary evidence. These beliefs are not based on reality and often persist even when the person is presented with facts that contradict them.
Hallucinations, Delusions
Name the 10 components of the Mental Status Examination.
Appearance, Activity, Mood & Affect, Speech & Language, Thought content, Perpetual disturbances, Insight & Judgement, Sensorium, Memory & Attention, and General Intellectual level.
Name the 5 Interpersonal Skills for establishing Therapeutic Relationships.
Being available
Listening
Clarifying
Sharing Observations
Accepting Silence