No abstract

SummaryA double-blind crossover comparison of medazepam 10 mg three times a day against amylobarbitone 60 mg three times a day in outpatients with neurotic anxiety showed that medazepam was superior in relieving symptoms. At this dose of medazepam drowsiness or ataxia was rarely a problem.

A new benzodiazepine, bromazepam, 6 mg. three times a day was compared in a double-blind trial with medazepam, 10 mg. three times a day and with chlordiazepoxide, 10 mg. three times a day. Each drug was given for two weeks. The first 50 cases attending the out-patient department were selected. All were suffering from neurotic anxiety and were comparable to those patients for whom sedation is commonly and properly prescribed in general practice. There was no selection for either age or sex.

The chapter outlines traditional categories used to capture the current condition of a patient’s state of mind such as appearance and behaviour, mood, speech, thought content, abnormal beliefs and experiences. It suggests questions to ask and how to organize the material. The chapter encourages a descriptive approach in which examples from the interview are recorded to help future reference and help other clinicians make judgements as to significance. Guidance is also given on examining the cognitive state and interpreting intelligence. Further advice is offered on examining the mental state in the elderly, particularly interpreting cognitive impairment using scales–the Addenbrookes’ Cognitive Examination, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the Abbreviated Mental Test .