General Psychiatric Assessment
There are many challenges to completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. There are many challenges, including privacy issues and ward rounds, evaluations by other specialists, protected mealtimes, and planned family visits.
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 the general psychiatric examination is to understand the medical history of the patient. This will include details of their current health and any medications they are taking and any significant previous medical problems 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 might need to make before making an assessment.
This process is often difficult to complete on medical wards due to the limited space available and interruptions due to ward rounds, assessments by other specialties and health professionals, protected mealtimes and planned visits. It is important to find a quiet place to conduct the assessment and to make an appointment that does not interfere with any of these activities. It is also beneficial to ask the person who refers you what their concerns are, so that you can determine precisely what type of psychiatric examination is required.
It is crucial to be aware that physical health issues can influence or even obscure symptoms of psychiatric illness. Overshadowing by diagnosis is a common problem and is difficult to avoid. For instance, if the patient was admitted to hospital for delirium and has a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical record It is tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium and assume that it is caused by an existing mental illness instead of perform a full delirium screen to rule out treatable causes like stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist who is assessing the patient attempts to establish a connection between the physical and psychiatric issues of the patient and to elicit concerns or complaints from the patient regarding their treatment, their treatment or how their condition is handled. The basic model suggested in Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy method to achieve this, however it can be difficult to implement this in the real world.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to determine whether there are any mental health issues within your family. They'll also inquire about any traumas you've experienced or abuse, and your current status in the social world (including your work, relationships, and if you have the support of your family). You may be asked questions about your religious beliefs as well as about your goals and dreams. The psychiatrist will provide a diagnosis, and then design a treatment plan that is suited to your requirements.
Physical symptoms are also important and it is crucial that the psychiatrist evaluate these too. They will test their blood pressure, listen and feel the lungs and heart as well as examine for any other medical conditions that could cause the psychiatric symptoms.
It is often beneficial for a psychiatrist to get a full physical from the patient's general practitioner however, it's not always possible especially for patients who are extremely sick and inpatients on psychiatric wards. These patients may have only very little or no interactions with psychiatrists. In these situations it is crucial that the psychiatrist's staff or care coordinators play an proactive role in ensuring the physical health requirements of patients are satisfied.
Psychiatrists should also be able to comprehend why a person has been referred, and what they hope to gain through their psychiatric evaluation. They must be able interpret medical letters, review the results of tests and communicate effectively with a patient's medical team to coordinate any medication or treatment.
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 information regarding their drug and alcohol use. It is also crucial to collect a detailed family history, if you can, in order to establish the likelihood of developing certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder, which is known to be inherited by families. Screens to collect life-long psychiatric information on informants and first-degree relatives are helpful, but there is value in obtaining a full family history of psychiatric issues as well.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric examination, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they have impacted your life. Your psychiatrist will ask you about any pertinent issues including your family history. The interview may be uncomfortable at times, but it is important to answer honestly and completely so that a precise diagnosis can be given.
If you are experiencing mental health issues like depression or anxiety it is crucial to seek a psychiatric examination to determine whether or not you need treatment. It is normal to have periods of stress and low mood, but when they last longer than a few days or affect your daily functioning then you may need 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 substance abuse. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleep habits, and whether you've tried other approaches to manage your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist could also ask you about your past experiences of mental illness. They can also use assessments that are standardised, or psychological tests, to gain a better understanding of your current situation. These tests can include questionnaires, personality assessments or cognitive tests that measure your level of distress.
If the psychiatric assessment shows that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms, which 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 need to admit you to hospital to be observed. You will be required to undergo a second assessment by an experienced psychiatrist before you are allowed to go home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the support and care you require. The team of caring and experienced professionals are 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
A significant aspect of a psychological assessment involves the use of a variety of tests. Psychological tests are written evaluations or verbal evaluations that assess unobserved aspects of a person's personality. They are used to assess the person's emotional health and personality characteristics. They can be used to determine a person's mental health condition's severity, such as depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually conducted by a qualified psychologist and requires the patient to follow specific guidelines to get accurate results.
Psychiatric assessment can vary in terms of the number and types of psychological tests that are that are administered, based on an individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment may 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 kinds of psychiatric examinations help provide a snapshot of the patient's psychological and emotional state. They are conducted by doctors, psychologists, and sometimes psychiatrists in the hospital setting to evaluate a person's present mood, emotional reactivity, and cognitive capabilities. Private therapists may also conduct these tests in their offices to collect data to develop a treatment plan, and to determine if the patient could benefit from medication or another method of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are an example of psychological assessments. These tests assess cognitive performance (often referred as IQ) in contrast to a normative group. Other tests are designed to evaluate the ability to perform tasks, like a word association or memory test. Psychologists are the only experts who have extensive education and expertise in administering and interpreting psychological tests.
A psychiatric examination is designed to connect the patient with here a medical professional who can offer treatment and management. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient, and how it relates to the symptoms. The doctor will also discuss the prognosis. This is the way in which a specific diagnosis is expected to progress in the future.