Teaching library
Free MSE teaching clips
Meridian publishes short mental-status-exam teaching clips: a realistic patient, a finding named precisely, and the reasoning explained. Every clip is the same synthetic patient — Eleanor — so the only thing that changes is the finding. Watch, name what you see, then check the reasoning.
Psychomotor retardation
What you're seeing: slowed movement and speech, long pauses before Eleanor answers, few spontaneous movements. It's a motor sign you observe directly — not a symptom the patient has to report. Board point: a hallmark of severe, melancholic depression; always rule out Parkinsonism and hypoactive delirium.
Akathisia
What you're seeing: an inner restlessness that keeps her moving — shifting in the seat, rocking, unable to keep her legs still. Board point: a medication-induced movement effect, easily mistaken for anxiety or worsening agitation. The board-correct first move is lowering the dose or adding propranolol — not more antipsychotic.
Tardive dyskinesia
What you're seeing: involuntary, repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, and jaw. Board point: a late, potentially persistent effect of dopamine-blocking medications. It's the finding akathisia is most often confused with — akathisia is a restless urge to move; tardive dyskinesia is movement the patient isn't choosing. Screen with the AIMS.