General Psychiatric Assessment
The difficulties of conducting mental health assessments in general medical settings are numerous. They include privacy concerns, ward rounds and assessments by other specialties, secure time for meals and visits from family members.
It can be difficult to measure outcome in this situation, due to particular difficulties for outcomes specific to diseases and satisfaction of patients and referrers ratings.
Medical History
The first step in a comprehensive psychiatric examination is to determine the patient's medical background. This will include information about their current health and any medications they're taking in addition to any significant previous medical problems which may have influenced their health and wellbeing. This information can aid the doctor in determining which psychological tests are suitable and how many appointments they might need to make before making the diagnosis.
This step can be difficult to complete in medical wards because of the small space and interruptions caused by the ward's rounds, examinations from other specialties, allied health professionals and meals that are protected. It is worthwhile to find a time that is not in conflict with the other activities listed above and find a quiet space for the examination to take place. It is also helpful to ask the person who refers you what their concerns are so that you can identify precisely what type of psychiatric examination is required.
It is crucial to keep in mind that physical health issues can affect or even overshadow the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Overshadowing of diagnostics is a frequent issue and is hard to avoid. For example the case where an individual has been admitted to a delirium hospital and they have a prior diagnosis of dementia on their medical records it can be tempting to "shadow" the delirium as if it is caused by their existing mental illness instead of perform a full delirium screen to rule out treatment-able causes such as stroke.
It is therefore important that the psychiatrist who is taking a look at the patient is trying to establish the connection between the patient's physical and psychiatric issues, and also to identify any concerns or complaints that the patient has about their treatment, care or the treatment they receive or the way their health issue is being managed. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) recommends an approach to achieve this. However, it can be difficult to implement in the real world.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history in order to determine if there is a mental health issue within your family. They'll also inquire about any traumas you've experienced or abused, as well as your current social standing (including your work, relationships, and if you have the support of your family). You may be asked about your religious beliefs, your dreams and ambitions. The psychiatrist will then make an assessment and formulate a treatment plan to fit your requirements.
The psychiatrist should also examine physical symptoms. They will check their blood pressure, listen to and feel the heart and lungs and also examine for any other medical conditions that may be causing the psychiatric symptom.
It is helpful for psychiatrists to get an exhaustive physical from the doctor who is treating the patient However, this may not always be possible, especially with people who are very sick or inpatients at psychiatric units. They may have minimal or no face-to-face contact with psychiatrists. In these cases it is crucial that psychiatric nurses or care coordinators take an active role in ensuring that the physical health needs of patients are fulfilled.
Psychiatrists must also be able to understand why the person has been referred, and what they hope to accomplish from their psychiatric assessment. They should be able to interpret medical letters, review reports of tests and communicate effectively with the person's medical team to coordinate any medication or treatment.
The medical history is a key aspect of any psychiatric examination, and this must include the patient's diagnosis of psychiatric illness and treatment history and information regarding their drug and alcohol use. It is also important to obtain a complete family history, if it is possible to determine the risk of certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder, which is known to occur in families. Brief screens to collect lifetime information about psychiatric conditions on informants as well as first-degree relatives are helpful but there is merit in having a complete family history of psychiatric issues as well.
Symptoms
In the course of a psychiatric evaluation the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they've affected your life. Your psychiatrist will also inquire about any pertinent questions including your family history. The interview may be uncomfortable at times, but it is essential that you answer honestly and completely so that an accurate diagnosis can be given.
If you're experiencing mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, it is important to seek a psychiatric examination to see whether or not you need treatment. It is normal to experience periods of low mood and stress however should they last for more than a few days or affect your daily life, then you may need treatment.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms as well as any other issues that are impacting you, like work or family problems or abuse of substances. They will also ask you about your physical health, your sleeping habits, and whether or not you've tried any other ways to help with 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 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 assessment shows that you have psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations and delusions that are a significant departure from what is considered to be real, the psychiatrist might have to conduct a thorough examination and admit you to the hospital to be observed. In these cases, you will need to be re-evaluated by another psychiatrist before you can return home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the assistance and care you need. The team of helpful and knowledgeable professionals is dedicated to giving you the information you need about the diagnosis you have received and possible treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric exam on the getting a psychiatric assessment internet or by calling us today.
Psychological Tests
The use of various tests is an essential part of a psycho-psychological examination. Psychological tests are either written or verbal assessments that are designed to test unobserved elements. They are often used to assess the personality of a person and their emotional functioning. They can be used to determine a person's mental illness' severity, such as anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically done by a psychologist who has been trained. The patient must adhere to certain guidelines to get accurate results.
The psychiatric assessment may differ in the amount and type psychological tests employed, based on the individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric examination could be brief, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more thorough and time-consuming, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. In-depth neuropsychological testing may also be used to determine the presence of brain injuries, concussions or other neurological issues.
All kinds of psychiatric tests provide a look at the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. They are carried out by psychologists, doctors and psychiatrists in the hospital setting to assess a person's current mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive capabilities. They are also conducted by private therapists in their offices to gather data to develop a treatment plan and to determine if a patient could benefit from medication or other forms of therapy.
Intelligence and Achievement Tests are an example of psychological evaluations. These tests test cognitive functioning (often called IQ) in comparison to a normated group. Other tests are designed to evaluate the ability to complete an activity, such as a memory test or a word association test. Psychologists are the only experts who have extensive education and experience in conducting and interpreting psychological tests.
A psychiatric examination is designed to match the patient with a doctor that can provide treatment and treatment. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient and explain how it relates to the symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis, which is the way in which a specific diagnosis is likely to develop over time.