Mental Status Exam is the basis of a thought process disturbance. One must observe for the general appearance of the client wherein the client’s attitude or behavior (posture, facial expression mannerisms, and personal hygiene) and the characteristics of speech and stream of thought (content of message, verbal communication, loudness, quality, logic, and level of coherence) are observed.

Types of Thought Process Disturbance

Looseness of Association

Topics have its connection but is without thought.

Flight of Ideas

There is a constant flow of speech but topics remain unrelated.

Ambivalence

Presence of two opposing forces.

Magical Thinking

Client believes he has magical powers.

Echolalia

Client repeats what is being said.

Echopraxia

copies or echoes what a person is doing.

Word Salad

Mixes words and phrases that do not have any meaning.

Clang Associations

Mixes word or phrases in a rhyme or have a similar sound.

Neologism

Inventing of new words.

Delusion

Client presents with false beliefs, delusions of grandeur, and delusions of persecution.

Concrete Association

Client presents to be a smart-aleck or a know-it-all.

Hallucination

Perception without any stimulation.

Illusion

Distortion of senses and occurs with a stimuli.