General Psychiatric Assessment
There are a variety of challenges when completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. This includes privacy issues as well as ward rounds and assessments by other specialties, protected meal times and planned visits from family members.
It can also be difficult to determine the outcome in this context, and there are particular difficulties for outcomes specific to diseases and patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical Histories
The first step in a general psychiatric evaluation is to understand the medical history of the patient. This will include 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 also aid the doctor in determining what psychological tests would be suitable and how many appointments they might require before determining the diagnosis.
This step can be difficult to complete in medical wards due to the small space and interruptions caused by the ward's rounds, examinations from other specialties or allied health professionals as well as meals that are protected. It is essential to locate an area that is quiet to conduct the assessment and to make an appointment that doesn't conflict with any of these activities. It is also useful to ask the person who refers you what their specific concerns are so that you can identify precisely what type of psychiatric examination is required.
It is essential to keep in mind that physical health issues may influence or even obscure symptoms of psychiatric illness. Diagnostic overshadowing is a very common problem and is difficult to avoid. For example when a patient has been admitted to a delirium hospital and has a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical record it can be tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium as if it is due to their mental illness, rather than conduct a complete delirium screen to rule out treatment-able causes like stroke.
It is important that the psychiatrist assessing the patient attempts to establish a link between the physical and psychiatric concerns of the patient and to solicit complaints or concerns from the patient regarding their treatment, care or how their health condition is being managed. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) suggests the most basic approach to accomplishing this. However, it can be difficult to implement in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to determine if there are any mental health issues in your family. They'll also want be aware of any experiences of abuse or trauma and your current social situation (including work, relationships and whether you have support at home). You could be asked about your religion as well as your goals and dreams. The psychiatrist will then formulate an assessment and formulate a treatment plan to meet your needs.
The psychiatrist should also look at physical symptoms. They will check the patient's blood pressure, listen to the heart and lungs and look for any other medical issues that could be causing or aggravate the symptoms of psychiatric illness.
It is beneficial for psychiatrists to get a complete physical from the doctor who is treating the patient however this might not always be possible, especially with patients who are extremely sick or inpatients at psychiatric units. They may have minimal or no face-to-face interaction with psychiatrists. In these cases, it is important that psychiatric nurses or care coordinators take an active role in ensuring that these patients' physical health needs are taken care of.
Psychiatrists must also understand why a person is being referred to them and what they hope to accomplish with their psychiatric evaluation. They need to be capable of interpreting medical reports and examine the results of tests provided by a GP or other health professional. They must communicate effectively with the medical team of the patient about the tests carried out so that any medications or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is a key component of any psychiatric evaluation and should include the patient's own psychiatric diagnosis and past treatment and information about their drug and alcohol use. It is also essential to obtain a complete family history, if you can, in order to establish the risk of certain disorders, like bipolar disorder, which is known to be inherited by families. It is useful to use brief screens that record the lifetime psychiatric information of informants and their first-degree family members, but it is also crucial to have the complete psychiatric records of all family members.
Signs and symptoms
During the psychiatric assessment, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they've affected your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history and any other issues that may be relevant. The interview can feel invasive at times, but it is important to answer honestly and fully to ensure that a correct diagnosis can be given.
If you're suffering from mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression it is crucial to seek a psychiatric examination to determine whether or not you need treatment. It is normal to experience periods of stress and low mood but if they last more than one or two days or interfere with your daily functioning then you may require treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms Your psychiatrist will ask about any other issues that could be affecting you, such as family and work problems or addiction issues. They will also ask about your physical health, sleep habits and if you have tried other methods to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist will also ask you questions regarding your previous experiences with mental illness, and they may use standardized assessment tools or psychological tests to gain insight into your situation. These tests can include questionnaires, personality tests or cognitive tests to measure your level of distress.
If your psychiatric evaluation indicates that you are suffering from psychotic symptoms, for example hallucinations and delusions which differ significantly from what is considered to be real, the psychiatrist might need to perform website an in-depth exam and admit you to the hospital for observation. You will be required to undergo a second assessment by a psychiatrist before being allowed to go home.
If you're seeking an evaluation for psychiatric disorders, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide you with the support and care you require. The team of helpful and experienced professionals are committed to giving you the information you require about the diagnosis you have received and possible treatment options. You can arrange a psychiatric evaluation online or over the phone today.
Psychological Tests
The use of a variety of tests is an important part of a psycho-psychological assessment. Psychological tests are written assessments or verbal evaluations that measure unobserved aspects of a person's personality. They are used to assess the emotional state of a person and personality characteristics. They can be used to determine a mental health condition's severity, like anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically done by psychologists who have been trained. The patient must follow specific instructions for accurate results.
Psychiatric assessments can vary in terms of the type and quantity of psychological tests they use according to the person's condition and symptoms. A general psychiatric examination could be short, like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more detailed and time-consuming, like a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests can be used to determine if there's an injury to the brain or concussion.
All kinds of psychiatric assessments help provide a snapshot of the patient's psychological and emotional state. In hospitals doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists sometimes conduct these assessments to determine the patient's mood emotional reactivity, cognitive abilities. Private therapists may also conduct these tests in their offices to gather data to develop an appropriate treatment plan, and to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or a different form of therapy.
Intelligence and Achievement Tests are an example of psychological evaluations. These tests measure cognitive performance (often known as IQ) in comparison to a normated group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability of a person to perform tasks, for example, a word association or memory test. Psychologists are the only professionals who have extensive training and experience in administering and interpreting psychological tests.
A psychiatric evaluation 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 explain how it relates with the symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis, which means the way in which a specific diagnosis is expected to change in the future.