General Psychiatric Assessment
The challenges of carrying out mental health assessments in general medical settings are numerous. There are many issues to be faced, including privacy issues and ward rounds, evaluations by other specialists, protected mealtimes and scheduled family visits.
In this way it can be a challenge to measure outcomes, especially when it comes to disease-specific outcomes.
Medical Histories
The first step in a general psychiatric assessment is to understand the patient's medical history. This will include information about their current condition and any medications they are taking in addition to any previous medical issues that could have affected their health and wellbeing. This information will also help the professional decide what psychological tests might be suitable and how many appointments they will have to schedule before making a diagnosis.
This process can be difficult to complete in medical wards because of the small space and interruptions caused by ward rounds, assessments from other specialties or allied health professionals as well as protected mealtimes. It is essential to locate an area with enough privacy to conduct the examination and to schedule an appointment that does not interfere with any of these activities. It is also helpful to ask the person who refers you what their concerns are, so that you can determine exactly what kind of psychiatric examination is required.
It is important to keep in mind that physical health issues may influence or even shadow the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. This is a common problem that is known as diagnostic overshadowing and can be very difficult to avoid. For instance when the patient was admitted to hospital for delirium and has a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical record it can be tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium and assume that it is caused by an mental illness, rather than conduct a complete screening for delirium to rule out treatment-able causes like stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist assessing the patient tries to establish the relationship between the patient's physical and psychiatric issues, and also to identify any concerns or complaints the patient has about their treatment, care or the manner in which their health condition is being handled. Reference Osborn & Warner (1998) suggests an approach to achieve this. However, it could be difficult to implement in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to determine if there is an issue with mental health within your family. They will also want to be aware of any past incidents of abuse or trauma you've experienced and your current situation in the social world (including your relationships, work and whether you have a support system at home). You may be asked questions about your beliefs regarding religion and about your ambitions and dreams. The psychiatrist will then make an assessment and formulate an appropriate treatment plan to suit your needs.
The psychiatrist should also examine physical symptoms. They will examine their blood pressure, listen to and feel the lungs and the heart as well as look for other medical conditions that could be causing the psychiatric sign.
It is often helpful for a psychiatrist to get a full physical from the patient's general practitioner but this isn't always possible, especially in people who are very ill or inpatients on psychiatric hospitals. These patients may have only minimal or no face-to-face interactions with psychiatrists. In such instances, it is important that psychiatrists' nurses or care coordinators play a prominent role in ensuring that these patients' physical health needs are met.
Psychiatrists should also understand why a person has been referred and what they are hoping to accomplish with their psychiatric assessment. They should be competent in interpreting medical letters and examine the results of tests provided by the GP or another health professional, and they must be able to communicate effectively with the medical team that is treating the patient to determine the tests completed to ensure that any medication or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is an important part of any psychiatric evaluation. It should include details about the diagnosis of the patient's psychiatric illness, past treatment and drinking and drug use. If possible, it is important to obtain a family history to determine the likelihood of developing certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder. It is helpful to utilize screens that gather all of the psychiatric records for a lifetime on informants and their first-degree relatives, however, it is equally important to obtain an entire family psychiatric history.
Signs and symptoms
During the psychiatric evaluation, your doctor may inquire about your symptoms and how they impact your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history and other issues that could be relevant. The interview can feel invasive at times, but it's essential that you answer honestly and fully so that an accurate diagnosis can be given.
If you're suffering from mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression it is crucial to get a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether or not you require treatment. It is normal to experience periods of low mood and stress but should they last for more than several days or impact your daily life, then you may require treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms, your psychiatrist will also inquire about any other issues that may be impacting you, such as family and work problems or addiction issues. They will also ask about your physical health, sleeping habits, and whether you've tried other ways to help 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 situation. These tests may include questionnaires, personality assessments or cognitive tests that assess the level of stress you are experiencing.
If your psychiatric evaluation indicates that you are suffering from psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations or delusions that are quite different from what is considered to be real, the psychiatrist might have to perform psychiatric assesment an in-depth exam and then admit you to the hospital to be observed. You will need to undergo a second evaluation by a psychiatrist before you are allowed to go home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will give you the support and care you need. The team of friendly and knowledgeable professionals is dedicated to providing you with the necessary information regarding your diagnosis and possible treatment options. You can book a psychiatric examination via the internet or by calling today.
Psychological tests
The use of various tests is an essential part of a psycho-psychological evaluation. Psychological tests are written or oral assessments that are designed to test unobserved aspects. They are typically used to determine the personality of a person and their emotional functioning. They can also be used to determine the severity of a particular mental illness, like anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically conducted by psychologists who have been trained. The patient must adhere to certain guidelines for accurate results.
Psychological assessments can differ in terms of the type and quantity of psychological tests they utilize, depending on the person and their symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment may be short, like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE), or more in-depth and time-consuming, like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests that are in-depth can be used to determine the presence of a brain injury, concussion or other neurological disorders.
All types of psychiatric evaluations can provide a picture of the patient's psychological and emotional state. They are carried out by psychologists, doctors and sometimes psychiatrists in the hospital setting to evaluate a person's present mood, emotional reactivity, and cognitive capabilities. Private therapists can also conduct these tests in their offices to gather information for the development of a treatment plan and to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or another type of therapy.
Psychological evaluations include intelligence & achievement tests that measure various types of cognitive functioning (often referred to as IQ) and performance against a normative group. Other tests are designed to evaluate the ability of a person to perform tasks, like memory or word association test. Psychologists are the only experts with extensive training and expertise in the administration and interpretation of 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 completed the doctor will inform the patient of the diagnosis and how it is related to their present symptoms. The doctor will also discuss the prognosis. This is how a particular diagnosis can be expected to progress over time.