General Psychiatric Assessment
There are many challenges to completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. There are numerous challenges such as privacy concerns and ward rounds, evaluations by other specialists, protected mealtimes and planned family visits.
It can be difficult to determine the outcome in this setting, with specific challenges for disease-specific outcomes and satisfaction of patients and referrers ratings.
Medical Histories
The first step of a general psychiatric evaluation is to understand the medical history of the patient. This will include details of their present condition and any medication they are taking and any medical issues that have occurred in the past which may have influenced their health and well-being. This information can help the professional decide the appropriate psychological tests and how many visits may be needed before making a diagnose.
This is often a challenge to complete on medical wards because of the limited space available and interruptions during ward rounds, assessments by other specialties and allied health experts, protected mealtimes, and scheduled visitors. It is worthwhile to schedule an appointment time that does not clash with the other activities listed above and find a quiet space for the examination to be conducted. Asking the referrer about their specific concerns will help you determine the type of psychiatric evaluation is needed.
It is essential to remember that physical health issues may influence or even shadow the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Overshadowing of diagnostics is a common problem and is difficult to avoid. For instance, if an individual has been admitted for a delirium and they have a prior diagnosis of dementia on their medical record it can be tempting to "shadow" the delirium as if that it is caused by an existing mental illness instead of perform a full delirium screen to rule out treatment-able causes like stroke.
It is crucial that the psychiatrist who is assessing the patient tries to establish a link between the physical and psychiatric concerns of the patient and to get complaints or concerns from the patient about their treatment, care, or how their condition is managed. The basic model that is suggested in Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is a simple schema for achieving this, but it can be a challenge to implement this in the real world.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask you about your family history to determine if there's an issue with mental health within your family. They'll also want to be aware of any past traumas or abuse you've had and your current social circumstances (including your relationships, work and whether you have support at home). You may be asked about your beliefs in religion as well as your goals and dreams. The psychiatrist will determine an assessment, and then create a treatment plan that is suited to your needs.
The psychiatrist should also check physical symptoms. They will examine the patient's blood pressure and listen to the heart and lungs and look for any other medical conditions that may be causing or exacerbating the psychiatric symptoms.
It is helpful for psychiatrists to receive an exhaustive physical from the patient's doctor however this may not always be possible, particularly with people who are very sick or are inpatients in psychiatric units. The patients on these wards may have only sporadic face-toface contact with psychiatrists, or perhaps none at all. In such cases it is important that psychiatrists' nurses or care coordinators play an active part in ensuring these patients' physical health needs are addressed.
Psychiatrists must also be able to understand why the person was referred to them and what they hope to accomplish through their psychiatric evaluation. They must be able to read medical letters, investigate reports of tests, and communicate effectively with a person's medical team to determine the best treatment or medication for the patient.
The medical history is a key element of any psychiatric assessment and should include the patient's diagnosis of psychiatric illness and treatment history and also information about their drug and alcohol use. If you can, it's important to obtain an entire family history to assess the risk of developing certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder. Screens to collect life-long psychopathological information from informants and first-degree relatives can be helpful but there is the benefit of obtaining a complete family history of psychiatric disorders as well.
Signs and symptoms
In the course of a psychiatric evaluation the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they have impacted your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history and any other issues that might be relevant. The process can be uncomfortable at times, but it is vital that you speak truthfully and completely to ensure that a correct diagnosis can be made.
If you are suffering from mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression it is crucial to undergo a psychiatric assessment to determine if you need treatment. It is normal to experience periods of low mood and stress, but if they last more than one or two days or interfere with your daily activities, then you may require treatment.
Your psychiatrist will inquire about your symptoms and any other issues that are affecting you, such as work or family problems or abuse of substances. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleeping habits and whether or not you have tried any other ways to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist will also ask you questions about your past experiences with mental illness and they may also use standardized assessment tools or psychological tests to gain more understanding of your current situation. These tests may include questionnaires, personality assessments or cognitive tests that assess the level of stress you are experiencing.
If your psychiatric evaluation shows that you have psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations or delusions that are quite different from what is thought to be reality, then the psychiatrist might have to conduct an extensive exam and admit you to the hospital to be observed. In these instances you'll need to be evaluated by a different psychiatrist before you can return home.
If you're seeking a psychiatric evaluation, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the care and support you require. The team of friendly and experienced professionals are committed to giving you the information you require about your diagnosis and possible treatment options. You can book your psychiatric examination via the internet or call us now.
Psychological Tests
A significant aspect of a psychological assessment involves the use of various tests. Psychological tests are written assessments or verbal evaluations that measure unobserved constructs. They are commonly used to evaluate a person's personality traits and emotional functioning. They can be used to determine the severity of a specific mental illness, like anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically conducted by a qualified psychologist and requires the patient to follow specific instructions to obtain precise results.
Psychological assessments can differ in regards to the number and type psychological tests employed, based on the individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric test could be short, like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more detailed and time-consuming tests, such as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. In-depth neuropsychological testing may also be used to assess the presence of a brain injury, concussion or other neurological issues.
All types of psychiatric evaluations help provide a snapshot of the patient's overall emotional and psychological functioning. They are carried out by psychologists, doctors and psychiatrists in hospitals to evaluate a person's present mood, emotional reactivity, and cognitive capabilities. They are also conducted by private therapists in their offices to gather data for a treatment plan and to determine if a patient may benefit from medication or other forms of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are examples of psychological assessments. These tests test cognitive performance (often called IQ) in contrast to a normative group. Other tests are designed to test the ability of a task, such as memory tests or the test of word association. Psychologists are the only experts with a vast amount of training and experience to conduct adhd assessment psychiatrist and interpret psychological tests.
A psychiatric evaluation is designed to connect the patient with a medical professional who can offer treatment and management. After the exam is complete, the doctor will inform the patient of the diagnosis and how it is related to their presenting symptoms. The doctor will also discuss the prognosis, which is how a particular diagnosis can be expected to change over time.