General Psychiatric Assessment
There are many challenges to completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. There are numerous challenges, including privacy issues as well as ward rounds, examinations by other specialists, secure mealtimes and scheduled visits to the family.
In this context it can be a challenge to quantify outcomes, particularly when it comes to specific outcomes due to illness.
Medical Histories
The first step in a general psychiatric assessment is to understand the patient's medical history. This includes information about the patient's current health and any medications they're taking and any significant past medical problems that could have affected their current health and well-being. This information will help the professional decide what psychological tests might be suitable and how many appointments they will need to make before making an assessment.
This step can be difficult to complete on medical wards due to the limited space and interruptions by visits to wards, assessments from other specialties or allied health professionals as well as scheduled meal times. It is worth trying to schedule an appointment time that doesn't clash with any of these activities, and find a quiet space for the examination to be conducted. It is also helpful to inquire from the referrer what their particular concerns are so that you can determine precisely what type of psychiatric evaluation is required.
It is important to remember that physical health issues can influence or even shadow the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Overshadowing of diagnostics is a common issue and is very difficult to avoid. If the patient is admitted to hospital with delirium, but has an diagnosis of dementia in their medical records, it can be tempting to "shadow" the delirium' by assuming that it is due to the mental illness they have already suffered from. This is in contrast to performing a complete screen for delirium to rule out treatable causes such as stroke.
It is important that the psychiatrist assessing the patient attempts to establish a link between the psychiatric and physical concerns of the patient and to solicit complaints or concerns from the patient about their treatment, their care or how their health condition is handled. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) suggests a basic model for achieving this. However, it can be difficult to implement in the real world.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to determine if there are any mental health issues within your family. They'll also inquire about any past traumas or experienced, as well as your current social status (including your relationships, work, and if you have support from home). You may be asked questions about your religious beliefs and about your ambitions and hopes. The psychiatrist will determine an assessment, and then develop a treatment program that is suited to your needs.
Physical symptoms are also crucial and it is crucial that the psychiatrist checks these too. They will test their blood pressure, listen and feel the heart and lungs as well as look for other medical conditions which could be causing the psychiatric symptom.
It is helpful for psychiatrists to get an exhaustive physical from the patient's doctor however this may not always be possible, particularly with those who are sick or inpatients in psychiatric units. They may have very little or no interaction with psychiatrists. In these cases it is essential that the psychiatrist's nurses or care coordinators take an proactive role in ensuring the physical health requirements of patients are met.
Psychiatrists should also be able understand why a person is being evaluated and what they are hoping to achieve with their psychiatric evaluation. They should be able to interpret medical letters, investigate the results of tests and communicate effectively with the person's medical team to coordinate any medication or treatment.
The medical history is an important element of any psychiatric examination. It must include information about the diagnosis of the patient's psychiatric illness as well as past treatment, as well as drug and alcohol usage. It is also essential to obtain a complete family history, if possible, in order to establish the risk of certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder, which is known to occur in families. Screens that are brief to gather lifetime psychiatric information on informants and first-degree relatives can be useful but there is value in obtaining a full family history of psychiatric disorders as well.
Signs and symptoms
During the psychiatric examination the doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history and any other issues that might be relevant. The interview can feel invasive at times, but it's vital that you speak truthfully and fully so that an accurate diagnosis can be determined.
It is crucial to have a psychiatric assessment if you suffer from mental health issues, like anxiety or depression. This will help determine whether you require treatment. It is normal to experience periods of stress and low mood but if they last more than several days or impact your daily functioning then you may need treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms Your psychiatrist will also ask about any other issues that could be affecting your health, such as family and work problems or addiction issues. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleep habits, and whether you've tried other approaches to manage your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist could also ask you about your past experiences of mental illness. They could also employ standardized assessment tools, or psychological tests, to gain a better understanding of your situation. These tests can include questionnaires, personality tests or cognitive tests that measure the level of stress you are experiencing.
If your psychiatric assessment finds that you suffer from psychotic symptoms, for example hallucinations or delusions that are quite different from what is believed to be real, then the psychiatrist might need to perform an in-depth exam and then admit you to the hospital to be observed. In these cases you'll need be re-evaluated by another psychiatrist before returning home.
If you're in need of a psychiatric evaluation, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide the support and care you deserve. The team of knowledgeable and caring professionals are dedicated to providing you with the information you need about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can arrange a psychiatric evaluation on the internet or by phone today.
Psychological Tests
An important part of a psychological examination is the use of various tests. Psychological tests are written or oral assessments that are designed to test unobserved website constructs. They are commonly used to evaluate a person's personality traits and emotional functioning. They can be used to identify a mental health condition's severity, such as depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is typically done by psychologists who have been trained. The patient must follow specific instructions for accurate results.
Psychological assessments can differ in regards to the number and types of psychological tests that are administered, based on the individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric evaluation could be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or in-depth and lengthy, like a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. In-depth neuropsychological testing may also be used to assess the presence of concussion, brain injury or other neurological issues.
All types of psychiatric examinations provide a snapshot into the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. In the hospital doctors, psychologists, and sometimes psychiatrists conduct these tests to evaluate the patient's mood and emotional reactivity as well as cognitive abilities. They are also performed by private therapists in their offices to gather information for a treatment plan and to determine if a patient may benefit from a medication or other kinds of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are examples of psychological tests. These tests assess cognitive functioning (often called IQ) in comparison to a normated group. Other tests are designed for evaluating the ability of a person to perform tasks, such as memory or word association test. Psychologists are the only experts with extensive training and expertise to administer and interpret psychological tests.
The purpose of a psychiatric assessment is to match the patient with a physician who can provide treatment and management. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient and explain how it relates with the symptoms. The doctor will also speak about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis can be likely to develop in time.