General Psychiatric Assessment
There are a variety of challenges when completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. There are many issues to be faced such as privacy issues, ward rounds, assessments by other specialists, secure mealtimes and scheduled family visits.
In this regard, it can be difficult to determine the impact of outcomes, especially when it comes to specific outcomes due to illness.
Medical History
The first step in a comprehensive psychiatric examination is to understand the patient's medical background. This will include details of their current condition and any medications they are taking and any medical issues that have occurred in the past which may have influenced their health and wellbeing. This information can also aid the doctor in determining what psychological tests are appropriate and how many appointments will be needed before making a diagnose.
This process is often difficult to complete on medical wards due to the limited space available and interruptions due to visits to the ward, assessments by other specialties and health specialists, protected mealtimes and planned visitors. It is worthwhile to schedule an appointment time that doesn't clash with the other activities listed above and locate a quiet place for the assessment to take place. It is also useful to ask the person who refers you what their particular concerns are to determine exactly what kind of psychiatric assessment is required.
It is essential to remember that physical health issues can influence or even shadow the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Overshadowing by diagnosis is a common issue and is very difficult to avoid. For instance when 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 'overshadow' the delirium as if it is caused by their mental illness, rather than perform a full delirium screen to rule out treatment-able causes such as stroke.
It is therefore important that the psychiatrist who is conducting the assessment of the patient seeks to establish the connection between the patient's physical and mental issues and to inquire about any concerns or complaints that the patient has about their treatment, care or manner in which their health condition is being handled. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) suggests an approach to achieve this. However, it could be difficult to implement in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask about your family history to determine if there are any mental health issues within your family. They will also ask about any experiences you've had with trauma or experienced, as well as your current status in the social world (including your work, relationships and whether you have the support of your family). You might be asked about your religious beliefs as well as your goals and dreams. The psychiatrist will make an assessment and design a treatment plan that suits your needs.
The psychiatrist should also examine physical symptoms. They will test their blood pressure, listen and feel the lungs and heart as well as examine for any other medical conditions that may be causing the psychiatric symptom.
It is beneficial for a psychiatrist to receive an exhaustive physical from the doctor who is treating the patient however this may not always be feasible, particularly for patients who are extremely sick or are inpatients in psychiatric units. They may have very little or no face-to-face interaction with psychiatrists. In these cases, it is essential that psychiatric nurses or care coordinators play a prominent part in ensuring these patients' physical health concerns are addressed.
Psychiatrists should also be able understand why a person is being evaluated and what they expect to achieve with their psychiatric assessment. They must be able interpret medical letters, review the results of tests and communicate effectively with the person's medical team to coordinate any medication or treatment.
The medical history is an essential element of any psychiatric examination. It should contain information about the diagnosis of the patient's psychiatric illness as well as past treatment, as well as alcohol and drug usage. It is also essential to gather a thorough family history, if it is possible, in order to establish the likelihood of developing certain disorders, like bipolar disorder, which tends to run in families. Screens to collect life-long information about psychiatric conditions on informants as well as first-degree relatives are helpful but there is value in obtaining a full family history of psychiatric disorders in addition.
Signs and 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, as well as any other issues that could be relevant. The process can be uncomfortable at times, but it's vital that you speak truthfully and completely so that an accurate diagnosis can be determined.
If you're suffering from mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression it is essential to undergo a psychiatric assessment to determine if you need treatment. It is normal to have periods of low mood and stress however should they last for more than a few days or affect your daily activities, then you may need treatment.
Your psychiatrist will inquire about your symptoms as well as any other issues that are impacting you, like work or family problems, or substance abuse. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleeping habits and whether or not you've tried other methods to alleviate your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also ask you questions regarding your previous experiences with mental illness and they might use standard assessment tools or psychological tests to gain understanding of your current situation. These tests could include questionnaires, personality assessments or cognitive tests to determine the level of stress you are experiencing.
If the psychiatric examination confirms that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms that are caused by hallucinations, delusions or hallucinations comprehensive psychiatric assessment that are substantial departures from reality as a consensual entity The psychiatrist will have to perform a more in-depth examination and may need to admit you to hospital for observation. You will be required to undergo a second evaluation by a psychiatrist before you are allowed to go home.
If you are seeking a psychiatric evaluation, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide you with the assistance and care you require. The team of experienced and friendly professionals are committed to providing you with all the information you require about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric evaluation online or by phone today.
Psychological tests
An important part of a psychological examination is the use of different tests. Psychological tests are written assessments or verbal evaluations which measure unobserved constructs. They are commonly used to determine the personality of a person and their emotional functioning. They can be used to determine the severity of a certain mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is typically done by psychologists who have been trained. The patient must follow certain instructions to obtain accurate results.
The psychiatric assessment may differ in terms of the number and types of psychological tests that are used, depending on the individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment may be brief, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more detailed and time-consuming, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests can be used to determine if there's a concussion or brain injury.
All kinds of psychiatric examinations offer a glimpse of the patient's overall psychological and emotional functioning. In hospitals doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists may conduct these tests to evaluate a patient's mood emotional reactivity, cognitive capabilities. They are also conducted by private therapists at their offices to gather data for a treatment plan as well as to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or other forms of therapy.
A few examples of psychological assessments include tests for intelligence and achievement which test certain types of cognitive functioning (often referred to as IQ) and performance in comparison to a normed group. Other tests are designed to test the ability of an activity, such as memory tests or a word association test. Psychologists are the only professionals with extensive training as well as experience the administration and interpretation of psychological tests.
A psychiatric examination is designed to connect the patient with a physician that can provide treatment and treatment. After the exam is complete, the doctor will inform the patient of the diagnosis and how it relates to their present symptoms. The doctor will also discuss the prognosis. This is the way in which a specific diagnosis is likely to develop in time.