General Psychiatric Assessment
The difficulties of conducting mental health assessments in general medical settings are many. This includes privacy issues, ward rounds and assessments by other specialties, protected time for meals and visits from family members.
In this way it can be a challenge to determine the impact of outcomes, especially when it comes to outcomes that are specific to a disease.
Medical History
The first step in a comprehensive psychiatric examination is to determine the patient's medical history. This will include information about their present condition and any medications they are taking and any medical issues that have occurred in the past that may have influenced their health and well-being. This information will help the physician determine what psychological tests would be appropriate and the number of appointments they may need to make before making an assessment.
This process 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 as well as allied health professionals, and meals that are protected. It is worth trying to schedule an appointment time that doesn't clash with any of these activities, and find somewhere quiet for the assessment to be conducted. It is also useful to ask the person who refers you what their specific concerns are to determine precisely what type of psychiatric examination is required.
It is important to be aware that physical health issues can influence or even shadow the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. This is a common problem that is referred to as diagnostic overshadowing and can be very difficult to avoid. For instance the case where the patient was admitted for a delirium and they have a prior diagnosis of dementia on their medical record then it is tempting to "shadow" the delirium and assume it is due to their existing mental illness instead of carry out a full delirium screen to rule out treatment-able causes like stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist assessing the patient tries to establish a connection between the psychiatric and physical concerns of the patient and to solicit complaints or concerns from the patient regarding their treatment, treatment or how their condition is handled. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) recommends the most basic approach to accomplishing this. However, it can be difficult to implement in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask you about your family history to determine if there is an issue with mental health within your family. They'll also want to be aware of any past traumas or abuse you've had and your current social circumstances (including work, relationships and whether you have a support system at home). You could be asked about your beliefs in religion, your dreams and ambitions. The psychiatrist will provide an assessment and design a treatment plan that is suited to your requirements.
Physical symptoms are also crucial and it is vital that the psychiatrist examine these too. They will examine the patient's blood pressure, listen to the heart and lungs and examine for any other medical conditions that could be causing or aggravate the symptoms of psychiatric illness.
It is usually beneficial for the psychiatrist to get an all-encompassing physical from the general practitioner of the patient however, this isn't always feasible, especially in people who are extremely sick and inpatients on psychiatric wards. The patients on these wards may only have sporadic face-to-face contact with psychiatrists or none at all. In such instances, it is essential that psychiatrists' nurses or care coordinators play a prominent role in ensuring that patients' physical health issues are taken care of.
Psychiatrists should also be able to comprehend why a person was referred to them and what they hope to achieve from their psychiatric examination. They need to be able to interpret medical letters and examine reports of tests received from a GP or other health professional, and they must communicate effectively with 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 crucial part of any psychiatric evaluation. It should include details about the patient's diagnosis of psychiatric disorders, past treatment and drinking and drug use. If you can, it's important to collect the family history to determine the risk of developing certain disorders like bipolar disorder. It is useful to utilize screens that gather lifetime psychiatric data on informants and their first-degree family members, however, it is equally important to obtain a complete family psychiatric record.
Signs and symptoms
During the psychiatric examination your doctor will inquire with you about your symptoms and how they've affected your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history, as well as any other issues that may be relevant. It can be a bit intrusive at times, but it is important to answer honestly and completely to ensure that you receive a correct diagnosis.
If you're experiencing mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, it is important to undergo a psychiatric assessment to see whether or not you require treatment. While it is normal to experience periods of stress or low mood occasionally but if the symptoms last longer than several weeks and impact your daily activities it is likely you need treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms Your psychiatrist will ask about any other issues that could be affecting you, including family and work problems or addiction issues. They will also ask about your physical health, sleeping habits, and if you've tried other ways to help your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist could also inquire about your previous experiences with mental illness. They may also use standardized assessment tools, or psychological tests, to gain a better understanding of your current situation. These tests could include questionnaires, personality tests or cognitive tests to measure your level of distress.
If your psychiatric assessment finds that you suffer from psychotic symptoms, for example hallucinations and check here delusions that are quite different from what is thought to be reality, then the psychiatrist may need to conduct an extensive exam and send you to the hospital for observation. In these instances, you will need to be re-evaluated by another psychiatrist before you are able to return home.
If you're in need of an evaluation for psychiatric disorders, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide the assistance and care you require. The team of helpful and experienced professionals is committed to giving you the necessary information regarding your diagnosis and treatment options. You can book a psychiatric examination online or over the phone today.
Psychological tests
An important part of a psychological examination is the use of a variety of tests. Psychological tests are written assessments or verbal evaluations which measure unobserved aspects of a person's personality. They are often used to evaluate the personality of a person and their emotional functioning. They can be used to determine the severity of a specific mental illness, for example, anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically conducted by an experienced psychologist who has been trained. The patient must adhere to certain guidelines for accurate results.
The psychiatric assessment can vary in terms of the type and quantity of psychological tests they use dependent on 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 tests, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological testing can be used to determine if there is a concussion or brain injury.
All types of psychiatric examinations provide a snapshot into the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. They are conducted by doctors, psychologists and sometimes psychiatrists in hospitals to assess a person's current mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive capabilities. They are also conducted by private therapists in their offices to collect information for a treatment plan as well as to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or other types of therapy.
Intelligence and Achievement Tests are an example of psychological assessments. These tests measure cognitive performance (often called IQ) in comparison to a normal group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability to complete tasks, like a word association test or a memory test. Psychologists are the only experts who have extensive education as well as experience administering and interpreting psychological tests.
A psychiatric examination is designed to connect the patient with a doctor 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 presenting symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis. This is how a particular diagnosis is expected to progress in time.