General Psychiatric Assessment
There are a variety of challenges when completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. These include problems with privacy as well as ward rounds and assessments by other specialties, protected time for meals and visits from family members.
In this context it can be challenging to measure outcomes, especially when it comes to disease-specific outcomes.
Medical History
The first step in a comprehensive psychiatric examination is to learn about the patient's medical background. This will include information about the patient's current condition, any medications they are taking and any major past medical issues that may have affected their current health and well-being. This information will help the professional decide the appropriate psychological tests and how many visits may be necessary prior to making an assessment.
initial psychiatric assessment is often difficult to complete on medical wards because of the limited space available as well as interruptions from the ward's rounds, examinations by other specialties and allied health professionals, protected mealtimes and planned visitors. It is important to arrange an appointment time that doesn't clash with the other activities listed above and find somewhere quiet for the assessment to be conducted. Asking the referrer about their particular concerns will help you determine the type of psychotherapy evaluation is needed.
When conducting psychiatric examinations on the medical wards of general hospitals it is important to be aware that the physical health problems patients present with may influence or even overshadow their psychiatric symptoms and behaviour. This is a frequent issue that is known as diagnostic overshadowing and is extremely difficult to avoid. For example the case where a patient has been admitted for a delirium and has a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical records it can be tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium and assume it is caused by their existing mental illness rather than carry out a full screening for delirium to rule out treatable causes like stroke.
It is important that the psychiatrist who is assessing the patient tries to establish a relationship between the physical and psychiatric issues of the patient and to elicit concerns or complaints from the patient about their treatment, their care or how their health condition is managed. The basic model that is recommended in Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy method to achieve this, but it could be difficult to implement it in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history in order to determine if there's an issue with mental health within your family. They will also want to be aware of any incidents of abuse or trauma you've experienced and your current social situation (including relationships, work and if you have support at home). You might be asked about your religious beliefs, your dreams and ambitions. The psychiatrist will then make an assessment and formulate an appropriate treatment plan to suit your needs.
The psychiatrist should also look at physical symptoms. They will check the patient's blood pressure and listen to the lungs and heart and examine for any other medical conditions that may be causing or aggravate the symptoms of psychiatric illness.
It is important for psychiatrists to get a complete physical from the patient's GP, but this might not be possible, particularly with patients who are extremely sick or inpatients at psychiatric units. Patients on these wards might only have very infrequent face-to-face contact with psychiatrists, or none at all. In these instances it is essential that the psychiatric nurses or care coordinators play a active role in ensuring that the physical health needs of patients are fulfilled.
Psychiatrists should also be able comprehend why a person has been referred and what they are hoping to achieve through their psychiatric assessment. They must be capable of interpreting medical reports and review the results of tests provided by an GP or other health professional. They must be able to communicate effectively with the medical team of the patient about what investigations have been conducted so that any treatment or medication can be coordinated.
The medical history is an essential component of any psychiatric evaluation and should include the patient's diagnosis of psychiatric illness and treatment history and also information regarding their drug and alcohol use. It is also important to gather a thorough family history, if you can, in order to establish the risk of certain disorders, like bipolar disorder, which tends to run in families. It is useful to use brief screens that record the lifetime psychiatric information of informants and their first-degree relatives but it is equally important to obtain a complete family psychiatric record.
Signs and symptoms
During the psychiatric evaluation Your doctor may inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history, as well as any other issues that may be relevant. The process can be uncomfortable at times, but it is vital that you speak truthfully and fully so that an accurate diagnosis can be determined.
If you're suffering from mental health problems like anxiety or depression it is crucial to seek a psychiatric examination to see whether or not you need treatment. While it is normal to have periods of low mood or stress from time to time but if the symptoms last more than two weeks and interfere with your daily functioning, it is likely that you require treatment.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms as well as any other issues impacting you, like family or work issues, or substance abuse. They will also ask about your physical health, sleep habits and if you have tried other ways to help your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist will also ask you questions about your past experiences with mental illness, and they may use standardized assessment tools or psychological tests to gain more understanding of your current situation. These tests can include questionnaires, personality tests or cognitive tests that measure the level of stress you are experiencing.
If the psychiatric evaluation shows that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms that are marked by hallucinations or delusions that are a significant departure from consensual reality, the psychiatrist will need to perform a more in-depth examination and may be required to take you to the hospital to be observed. In these cases, you will need to be evaluated by a different psychiatrist before you can return home.
If you are seeking a psychiatric evaluation, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide the assistance and care you require. The team of knowledgeable and friendly professionals are committed to ensuring that you have the information you need about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can schedule a psychiatric assessment on the internet or by phone today.
Psychological Tests
An essential part of a psychological evaluation is the use of various tests. Psychological tests are written assessments or verbal evaluations that measure non-observed elements. They are often used to assess the traits of a person's personality and emotional functioning. They can be used to determine the severity of a particular mental illness, for example, depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually conducted by a psychologist who is trained and requires the patient to follow specific instructions in order to get precise results.
Psychiatric assessments can vary in the amount and type of tests they employ according to the individual and their presenting symptoms. A general psychiatric test could be short, like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more thorough and time-consuming, like a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests can be used to determine if there is an injury to the brain or concussion.
All types of psychiatric assessments provide a snapshot into the patient's emotional and psychological functioning. They are performed by psychologists, doctors, and sometimes psychiatrists in hospitals to determine a person's current mood, emotional reactivity, and cognitive capabilities. Private therapists may also conduct these tests in their offices to collect information for an appropriate treatment plan, and to determine if patients would benefit from medication or another method of therapy.
Some examples of psychological evaluations include intelligence & achievement tests which test certain types of cognitive functioning (often referred to as IQ) and performance in comparison to a normed group. Other tests are designed for evaluating the ability of a person to perform tasks, for example, a word association or memory test. Psychologists are the only professionals with extensive training and expertise in administering and interpreting psychological tests.
A psychiatric exam is designed to match the patient with a medical professional that can provide treatment and treatment. After the exam is complete the doctor will inform the patient about the diagnosis and how it relates to their present symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis. This is how a particular diagnosis is expected to change over time.