General Psychiatric Assessment
There are a variety of challenges when completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. This includes privacy issues as well as ward rounds and assessments by other specialties, protected meals and scheduled visits from family members.
It can be difficult to measure outcome in this setting, with particular difficulties for outcomes specific to diseases and patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical Histories
The first step in a general psychiatric assessment is to learn about the patient's medical background. This includes information about the patient's current health and any medications they're taking and any major past medical problems that could affect their current health and well-being. This information will help the physician determine which psychological tests are suitable and how many appointments they will need to make before making the diagnosis.
This step can be difficult to complete in medical wards due to the limited space and interruptions by ward rounds, assessments from other specialties or allied health professionals as well as scheduled meal times. It is important to find a time that doesn't clash with the other activities listed above and locate a quiet place for the examination to take place. It is also useful to inquire from the referrer what their specific concerns are so that you can identify precisely what type of psychiatric assessment is required.
It is crucial to keep in mind that physical health issues can influence or even shadow symptoms of psychiatric illness. Overshadowing by diagnosis is a common problem and is difficult to avoid. If the patient is admitted to hospital with delirium, but has an diagnosis of dementia in their medical records, it could be tempting to "shadow" the delirium', assuming that it is caused by the mental illness they have already suffered from. This is rather than conducting a thorough screening for delirium to rule out treatmentable causes like stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist who is assessing the patient tries to establish a connection between the physical and psychiatric concerns of the patient as well as to elicit concerns or complaints from the patient regarding their treatment, their treatment or how their condition is being managed. The basic model that is recommended in the reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy way to accomplish this, but it can be a challenge to implement this in practice.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to determine if there are any mental health problems within your family. They'll also want to be aware of any past traumas or abuse you've had and your current social situation (including work, relationships and if you have support at home). You might be asked about your religion as well as your goals and dreams. The psychiatrist will then formulate a diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan to fit your requirements.
Physical symptoms are equally important and it is vital that the psychiatrist examine these too. They will examine their blood pressure, listen to and feel the lungs and heart and also look for other medical conditions which could cause the psychiatric symptoms.
It is often beneficial for the psychiatrist to obtain an all-encompassing physical from the general practitioner of the patient but this isn't always feasible, especially in people who are very ill and those who are inpatients on psychiatric wards. These patients may have only very little or no contact with psychiatrists. In such cases it is essential that psychiatric nurses and care coordinators play an active role in ensuring that patients' physical health concerns are taken care of.
Psychiatrists should also be able to understand why the person has been referred, and what they hope to gain from their psychiatric assessment. They must be competent in interpreting medical letters 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 carried out so that any medication or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is a key element of any psychiatric assessment and should include the patient's own psychiatric diagnosis and past treatment and information regarding their alcohol and drug use. If it is possible, it is important to collect a family history to determine the risk of developing certain disorders like bipolar disorder. Brief screens to collect lifetime 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 as well.
Symptoms
In the course of a psychiatric assessment the doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history and other issues that might be relevant. The interview can feel invasive at times, but it's vital that you speak truthfully and fully to ensure that a correct diagnosis can be made.
If you're suffering from mental health problems like depression or anxiety, it is important to get a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether or not you require treatment. While it is normal to have periods of depression or stress occasionally however, if these symptoms last longer than a few weeks and affect your daily life It is likely that you require treatment.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms as well as any other issues that are impacting you, like family or work-related issues, here or substance abuse. They will also ask about your physical health, sleep habits, and whether you've tried other methods to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist could also ask you about your previous experiences with mental illness. They may also use standardized assessment tools or psychological tests to get a better understanding of your current situation. These tests may include personality assessments, questionnaires or cognitive tests that assess the level of stress you are experiencing.
If your psychiatric evaluation indicates that you are suffering from psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions which are a significant departure from what is thought to be real, the psychiatrist might need to conduct a thorough examination and admit you to the hospital for observation. In these cases you'll need to be re-evaluated by another psychiatrist before returning home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will give you the support and care you need. The team of caring and experienced professionals are committed to giving you the necessary information regarding your diagnosis and possible treatment options. You can book your psychiatric examination via the internet or call us now.
Psychological tests
A significant aspect of a psychological assessment involves the use of different tests. Psychological tests are written or verbal assessments designed to measure non-observed elements. They are used to determine the person's emotional health and personality characteristics. They can also be used to determine the severity of a certain mental illness, like depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually conducted by a qualified psychologist and requires the patient to follow certain instructions to obtain precise results.
Psychological assessments can differ in the amount and type of psychological tests they utilize dependent on the person's condition and symptoms. A general psychiatric examination could be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or in-depth and lengthy, like a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological testing can be used to determine if there is an injury to the brain or concussion.
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 the hospital setting to assess a person's current mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive abilities. Private therapists can also conduct them in their offices to gather data for an appropriate treatment plan, and to determine if patients would benefit from medication or a different method of therapy.
Some examples of psychological evaluations include tests for intelligence and achievement which test certain types of cognitive functioning (often referred to as IQ) and performance against a normative group. Other tests are designed to test the ability to complete tasks, like memory tests or a word association test. Psychologists are the only professionals who have extensive training and experience in administering and interpreting psychological tests.
A psychiatric evaluation is designed to connect the patient with a physician that can provide treatment and treatment. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient, and how it relates with the symptoms. The doctor will also inform the patient about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis will expected progress over time.