General Psychiatric Assessment
The difficulties associated with conducting psychiatric assessments in general medical settings are many. There are numerous challenges such as privacy issues and ward rounds, evaluations by other specialists, secured mealtimes and planned family visits.
In this regard, it can be difficult to quantify outcomes, particularly when it comes to outcomes that are specific to a disease.
Medical History
The first step of a general psychiatric evaluation is to establish the medical history of the patient. This includes details of their present condition and any medications they're taking and any medical issues that have occurred in the past which may have influenced their current health and wellbeing. This information will also help the physician determine what psychological tests would be appropriate and how many appointments they will need to make before making the diagnosis.
This process can be difficult to complete on medical wards due to the small space and interruptions caused by ward rounds, assessments from other specialties as well as allied health professionals, and protected mealtimes. It is crucial to find an area with enough privacy to conduct the assessment and to make an appointment that does not interfere with any of these activities. It is also helpful to ask the person who refers you what their particular concerns are so that you can determine exactly what kind of psychiatric examination is required.
It is important to be aware that physical health issues may influence or even obscure symptoms of psychiatric illness. Overshadowing of diagnostics is a common issue and is very difficult to avoid. For example the case where the patient was admitted for a delirium and they have a prior diagnosis of dementia in their medical record It is tempting to "shadow" the delirium by assuming it is due to their existing mental illness instead of carry out a full delirium screen to rule out causes that are treatable such as stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist assessing the patient tries to establish a link between the physical and psychiatric concerns of the patient and to solicit complaints or concerns from the patient about their treatment, care, or how their condition is handled. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) suggests a basic model for achieving this. However, it could be difficult to implement in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to determine whether there are any mental health issues in your family. They will also inquire about any past traumas or abuse, and your current social standing (including your work, relationships and whether you have assistance from your home). You might be asked questions about your beliefs in religion as well as about your goals and goals. The psychiatrist will provide an assessment and develop a treatment program that is suited to your needs.
The psychiatrist should also examine physical symptoms. They will test their blood pressure, listen to and feel the heart and lungs and examine for any other medical conditions that may be causing the psychiatric symptom.
It is often beneficial for the psychiatrist to obtain an all-encompassing physical from the general practitioner of the patient, but this isn't always feasible particularly for those who are extremely sick and those who are inpatients on psychiatric wards. These patients may have only very little or no face-to-face interactions with psychiatrists. In such cases it is crucial that psychiatrists' nurses or care coordinators play a prominent part in ensuring these patients' physical health concerns are met.
Psychiatrists should also comprehend why a person has been referred and what they hope to achieve through their psychiatric examination. They need to be able to interpret medical letters and review reports of tests received from the GP or another health professional, and they must communicate effectively with the medical team of the patient about the investigations carried out so that any medications or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is an essential component of any psychiatric evaluation and should include the patient's mental health diagnosis and previous treatment, as well as information about their alcohol and drug usage. If it is possible, it is important to obtain a family history to determine the likelihood of developing certain disorders such as bipolar disorder. Screens to collect life-long psychiatric information on informants and first-degree relatives are helpful however, there is a the benefit of obtaining a complete family website history of psychiatric disorders in addition.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric examination, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they have affected your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history and other issues that might be relevant. The process can be uncomfortable at times, but it's essential that you answer honestly and completely so that an accurate diagnosis can be made.
It is crucial to have an assessment for psychiatric disorders if you suffer from mental health issues, like anxiety or depression. This will tell you if you need treatment. It is normal to have periods of low mood and stress however if they last more than a few days or affect your daily life, then you may require treatment.
Your psychiatrist will inquire about your symptoms and any other issues that are affecting you, such as family or work issues or abuse of substances. They will also ask you about your physical health, your sleeping habits and whether or not you have tried any other ways to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also ask you questions about your past experiences with mental illness and they might use standard assessment tools or psychological tests to gain more understanding of your current situation. These tests can include questionnaires, personality tests or cognitive tests to gauge your level of distress.
If the psychiatric evaluation shows that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms, which are manifested by hallucinations or delusions that are substantial departures from consensual reality, the psychiatrist will need to conduct a more thorough examination and may need to admit you to a hospital to be observed. You will be required to undergo a second evaluation by a psychiatrist before you are allowed to return home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the assistance and care you need. The team of experienced and friendly professionals are committed to ensuring that you have all the information you require about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric evaluation online or by phone today.
Psychological tests
The use of various tests is an important part of a psycho-psychological evaluation. Psychological tests are written or verbal evaluations designed to measure unobserved constructs. They are used to determine the emotional state of a person and personality characteristics. They can also be used to determine the severity of a particular mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually conducted by a trained psychologist and requires the patient to adhere to specific guidelines to get accurate results.
The psychiatric assessment may differ in the amount and types of psychological tests that are administered, based on an individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric evaluation can be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or in-depth and lengthy, like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological testing can be used to determine if a patient has a brain injury or concussion.
All types of psychiatric evaluations can provide a picture of the patient's overall psychological and emotional functioning. They are conducted by doctors, psychologists, and sometimes psychiatrists in hospitals to determine a person's current mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive capabilities. They are also conducted by private therapists at their offices to gather information for a treatment plan as well as to determine if a patient may benefit from medication or other forms of therapy.
Psychological evaluations include tests of intelligence and achievement that measure various types of cognitive functioning (often called IQ) and performance in comparison to a normed group. Other tests are designed to evaluate the ability of a task, such as an assessment of memory or an assessment of word association. Psychologists are the only professionals who have extensive training and expertise in administering and interpreting psychological tests.
A psychiatric examination is designed to match the patient with a doctor who can offer treatment and management. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient, and how it relates with their symptoms. The doctor will also discuss the prognosis, which means how a particular diagnosis is expected to change in the future.