The mental status exam (MSE) is the psychiatric equivalent of a physical exam in other areas of medicine. The MSE explores all areas of mental functioning, and data is collected from the beginning of the interview. Although most of the information can be obtained from observation, direct questioning augments and rounds out the information gleaned from the interview. Cognitive screening is a part of the MSE and can be done through tools such as the MMSE.

Insomnia may be related to the following underlying psychiatric disorders:
* Mood disorders
* Anxiety disorders
* Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
* Alzheimer's disease

Assessing the risk of suicide, including the patient's plan, means, and intent, is critical in determining the immediate level of care and intervention needed.
While addressing financial problems is important, the immediate priority is to assess the risk of harm to the patient. Starting medication is premature before conducting a thorough risk assessment and may not immediately address the risk of suicide. Discharging a patient expressing suicidal thoughts without a comprehensive assessment and immediate safety plan can result in harm to the patient.

The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2/9) is a self-administered screening tool commonly used in primary care settings for reliable measurement of symptoms of depression.
The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) is more commonly used to establish a baseline and then measure the progression of treatment. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is age-specific. The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS) is primarily used with individuals who already have a diagnosis of depression.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is highly comorbid with other psychiatric conditions:
* 67% have major depression
* 25% have social phobia
* 20-30% have a tic disorder
Rates of OCD are also elevated in individuals with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and Tourette syndrome.