Clinical Interview

Clinical Interview

A tool that helps physicians, psychologists, and

researchers make an accurate diagnosis of a
variety of mental illnesses.
Two types of Clinical Interview

Structured Clinical Interview

Clinical Diagnostic Interview
 Structured Clinical Interview
• Diagnosis are based on the DSM 5
• For research to study groups that has the same
symptoms
• Clinical trial
• For students who are in the mental health field
• Can help determine if more than one diagnosis is
present
 Structured Clinical Interview
• Could take 15 minutes to hours
• Time length of the interview depends on the
severity and types of symptoms
• Ranges from your family, Medical history,
illnesses, current complains
 Structured Clinical Interview
Example Questions (OCD):
• What are the specific details of your OCD?
• How long have you had these obsessions and
compulsions?
• How did this affect your life?
• Did the symptoms start after a new illness or a new
drug?
• Were you physically sick before you started having
obsessions and/ or compulsions?
• How old were you when these symptoms started?
 Clinical Diagnostic Interview
• Diagnosis are based on the symptom checklist
• Involves narrative conversation between the
mental health professional and the patient
• Takes about 2 ½ hours
• The mental health professional takes notes as
you talk
 Clinical Diagnostic Interview
Example Questions :

• What was your childhood like?

• What is your relationship with your mother/
father siblings like?
• What was school like for you?
• What sort of friendships did you have as a child?
• What have your romantic relationships been like?
• What is your job and how long have you done it?
 FAQ
• Is one type of Clinical Interview more valid
than the other?

Answer: Nope