MSE training videos : Thought Process
Here are some short videos by actors, downloaded from the internet to demonstrate specific parts of a mental state examination.
Here are some short videos by actors, downloaded from the internet to demonstrate specific parts of a mental state examination.
Thought Process
from wiki
Thought process in the MSE refers to the quantity, tempo (rate of flow) and form (or logical coherence) of thought. Thought process cannot be directly observed but can only be described by the patient, or inferred from a patient's speech. Regarding the tempo of thought, some people may experience flight of ideas, when their thoughts are so rapid that their speech seems incoherent, although a careful observer can discern a chain of poetic associations in the patient's speech. Alternatively an individual may be described as having retarded or inhibited thinking, in which thoughts seem to progress slowly with few associations. Poverty of thought is a global reduction in the quantity of thought and thought perseveration refers to a pattern where a person keeps returning to the same limited set of ideas. A pattern of interruption or disorganization of thought processes is broadly referred to as formal thought disorder, and might be described more specifically as thought blocking, fusion, loosening of associations, tangential thinking, derailment of thought, or knight's move thinking. Thought may be described as circumstantial when a patient includes a great deal of irrelevant detail and makes frequent diversions, but remains focused on the broad topic. Flight of ideas is typical of mania. Conversely, patients with depression may have retarded or inhibited thinking. Poverty of thought is one of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, and might also be a feature of severe depression or dementia. A patient with dementia might also experience thought perseveration. Formal thought disorder is a common feature of schizophrenia. Circumstantial thinking might be observed in anxiety disorders or certain kinds of personality disorders.
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Normal
Flow of ideas is reality orientated and in a logical sequence |
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Circumstantiality
Indirect speech that is delayed in reaching the point but eventually gets from the original point to the desired goal. It is characterised by over inclusion of details |
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Tangentially
Inability to have goal directed association of thought. Patient never gets from point to goal |
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loosening of associations
Flow of thought in which ideas shift from one subject to another in a completely unrelated way. When severe, speech is incoherent |
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Flight of Ideas
Rapid speech and constant shifting of ideas. Ideas tend to be connected and in the less severe form, a listener may be able to follow them |
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Word Salad
Incoherent mixture of words and phrases |
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Clang association
Association of words similar in sound but not in meaning. Words have no logical connection, may include rhyming and punning |
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Blocking
Abrupt interruption in train of thought before a thought or idea is finished. After a brief pause, person indicates no recall of what was being said or was going to be said. Also known as thought deprivation |
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Magical thinking
Belief that merely thinking about a event will cause the event to occur. |