Clinical Interview Questions

The following dialogue is a series of 10 questions asked by the clinician and answered by Marla.

Clinician: “Hello Marla, tell me what brought you to the mental health clinic?”

Marla: “Well, lately I’ve had trouble sleeping and performing my duties at work. I think it’s because I’ve been unable to concentrate and tend to feel jumpy all the time.”

Clinician: “I understand. Tell me how long you have been feeling like this, and explain what you mean by jumpy all the time, and trouble sleeping.”

Marla: “Well, I have been feeling this way for about four months now. I seem to be unable to concentrate on my work the way I used to, and I tend to become startled easily, and feel irritated. I also tend to have many nights where I am too anxious to fall asleep.”

Clinician: “I understand. Do you have any history of mental illness, and have you had any traumatic experiences in the past few years?”

Marla: “I don’t have a history of mental illness. And, the only traumatic experience which happened over a year ago, was when I was mugged at gunpoint coming home from work.”

Clinician: “Did you suffer any physical injuries from that event?”

Marla: “Yes, I was physically beaten while trying to defend myself from my attackers. I suffered a fractured jaw, two broken ribs, and other cuts and bruises.”

Clinician: “You mentioned that you have trouble falling asleep, and startle easily. Tell me what feelings and thoughts you experience that surrounds these issues.”

Marla: “Well, now that I think about it, if I hear sudden loud voices, or see a man walking briskly toward me with his hands in his jacket pockets, I become anxious. I also cannot seem to fall asleep, because I’ve had recurring nightmares about my attack. Even though the nightmares have become less, I still find it difficult to fall asleep.”

Clinician: “Marla, tell me about the type of childhood you had. Was it challenging in any way?”

Marla: “Although I grew up in a rough...