BATHE Mnemonic

When taking a history, the BATHE procedure can be useful in moving to a discussion of psychosocial problems.

	a)	Background: what is going on in your life?
	b)	Affect: how do you feel about that?
	c)	Trouble: what troubles you the most about this?
	d)	H is 'handling' - How are you handling that? This explores the patient's resources and responses more broadly than only asking them about help seeking.
	e)	Empathy: that must be very difficult for you.

BATHE is also a good way to make deep conversation with your close friends instead of the usual superficial stuff!