Mental Health Assessment of Sarah Thomas

Introduction

• Presenter: Dr. Jade, from the mental health team.
• Patient: Sarah Thomas, born on May 3, 1968.
• Reason for Visit: Concerns of being poisoned by support workers.

Patient's Concerns and Symptoms

• Sarah feels stressed and worried.
• Believes imposters have taken over her caregivers and are attempting to poison her.
• Describes paranoia and belief of a threat to her life without clear reasons.

Detailed Patient Interview

Paranoid Beliefs

• Sarah is convinced that imposters are poisoning her food.
• No clear reason identified why they would want to harm her.
• She feels they want to kill her and she needs protection.

Thoughts and Feelings

• Denies thoughts of self-harm or harming others.
• Expresses concern about imposters needing to be stopped but insists she would not harm them.
• No experiences of thought insertion or broadcasting reported.

Auditory Experiences

• Reports hearing voices discussing her in derogatory terms.
• Voices provide running commentary, causing distress.
• Only one voice identified.

Reality Perception

• No visual hallucinations or unusual skin sensations reported.
• Feels grounded in reality; recognizes the hospital setting and current time and date.

Assessment Observations

• Appearance: Disheveled and visibly anxious.
• Speech: Monotonous but coherent.
• Mood: Stressed and worried, anxious.
• Lack of insight into mental health deterioration.

Recommendations

• Discussed the possibility of hospital admission to ensure safety and address concerns.
• Sarah expresses willingness to stay in a safe place, like a hospital, if necessary.
• Concern about nutritional status due to avoidance of potentially poisoned food.
• Suggests Sarah's need for pre-packed foods and drinks as a coping strategy.

Conclusion

• Sarah exhibits signs of schizophrenia, presenting with paranoid delusions and auditory hallucinations.
• No immediate threat of harm to self or others identified.
• Further team consultation required to ensure proper care and safe environment.

---

Additional Resources

• Geeky Medics collection of OSCE stations available for further learning and practice.

Note: This summary is based on a clinical assessment scenario for educational purposes.