General Psychiatric Assessment
There are many challenges to performing psychiatric examinations in general medical settings. This includes privacy issues, 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 specific outcomes due to illness.
Medical Histories
The first step in an overall psychiatric assessment is to determine the medical background of the patient. This will include details of their current condition and any medications they're taking, as well as any previous medical issues which may have influenced their health and well-being. This information will also help the physician determine what psychological tests would be appropriate and the number of appointments they might have to schedule before making a diagnosis.
This is often a challenge to complete on medical wards due the limited space available and interruptions from the ward's rounds, examinations by other specialties and health specialists, protected mealtimes and scheduled visitors. It is worth trying to schedule an appointment time that does not clash with the other activities listed above and find a quiet space for the examination to be conducted. Inquiring about the referrer's specific concerns will help you determine the type of assessment is required for psychiatric disorders.
It is essential to be aware that physical health issues can influence or even obscure psychiatric symptoms. Overshadowing by diagnosis is a common issue and is very 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 due to their existing mental illness. This is rather than carrying out a full screen for delirium to rule out treatable causes like stroke.
It is crucial that the psychiatrist conducting the assessment of the patient seeks to establish the connection between the patient's physical and psychological problems and to elicit any concerns or complaints that the patient has about their treatment, care or manner in which their health condition is being managed. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) suggests the most basic approach to accomplishing this. However, it could be difficult to implement in the real world.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to determine if there's a mental health issue in your family. They'll also want to be aware of any past experiences of abuse or trauma and your current social circumstances (including your relationships, work and if you have support at home). You may be asked questions about your religious beliefs as well as about your goals and goals. The psychiatrist will make an assessment and design a treatment plan that suits your needs.
Physical symptoms are equally important and it is crucial that the psychiatrist checks these as well. They will check their blood pressure, listen and feel the lungs and the heart and also look for other medical conditions which could be causing the psychiatric symptom.
It is often beneficial for the psychiatrist to get a full physical from the patient's general practitioner but this isn't always feasible especially for patients who are extremely sick and inpatients on psychiatric wards. These patients may have only very little or no contact with psychiatrists. In these cases, it is vital that psychiatric nursing staff or care coordinators take an active role in ensuring that the physical health needs of patients are fulfilled.
Psychiatrists should also be able to understand the reason why the patient has been referred, and what they expect to accomplish from their psychiatric examination. They must be able interpret medical letters, examine the results of tests and communicate effectively with a person's medical team to determine the best treatment or medication for the patient.
The medical history is a key aspect of any psychiatric examination and must include the patient's personal psychiatric diagnosis and past treatment, as well as information about their alcohol and drug usage. It is also essential to obtain a complete family history, if you can to determine the likelihood of developing certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder, which is known to occur in families. Screens to collect life-long psychiatric information on informants and first-degree relatives can be useful but there is the benefit of obtaining a complete family history of psychiatric disorders as well.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric examination, your doctor may ask you about symptoms and how they affect your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history and other issues that may be relevant. The interview may be uncomfortable at times, but it is vital that you speak truthfully and fully to ensure that a correct diagnosis can be made.
If you are suffering from mental health problems like depression or anxiety it is essential to undergo a psychiatric assessment to determine if you require treatment. While it is normal to experience periods of depression or stress occasionally however, if these symptoms last longer than several weeks and impact your daily activities, it is likely that you need treatment.
Your psychiatrist will inquire about your symptoms as well as any other issues impacting you, like work or family problems, or substance abuse. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleeping habits and if you have tried other approaches to manage your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also ask you questions about your previous experiences with mental illness, and they may use standardized assessment tools or psychological tests to gain more insight into your situation. These tests could include questionnaires, personality assessments or cognitive tests to determine your level of distress.
If your psychiatric evaluation shows that you have psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations and delusions that are quite different from what is believed to be real, then the psychiatrist may need to perform an in-depth exam and admit you to the hospital to be observed. In these instances you'll need be examined by a different psychiatrist before you are able to return home.
If you're seeking an evaluation for psychiatric disorders, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the care and support you require. The team of caring and experienced professionals is committed to providing you with the information you need about the diagnosis you have received and possible treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric evaluation via the internet or call us now.
Psychological Tests
The use of a variety of tests is an essential part of a psycho-psychological assessment. Psychological tests are written or verbal evaluations designed to measure unobserved elements. They are used to determine a person's emotional functioning and personality traits. They can also be used to determine the severity of a specific mental illness, like depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually conducted by a psychologist who has been trained. The patient must adhere to certain guidelines to get accurate results.
Psychological assessments can differ in the number and type of psychological tests they utilize, depending on the person's condition and symptoms. A general psychiatric examination could be short, like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more detailed and time-consuming tests, such as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological testing can be used to determine if a patient has a brain injury or concussion.
All kinds of psychiatric tests offer a glimpse of the patient's emotional and psychological functioning. In the hospital, doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists may conduct these assessments to determine the patient's mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive abilities. Private therapists may also conduct these tests in their offices to collect information for an appropriate treatment plan, and to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or a different 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 against a normative group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability of tasks, like a memory test or a word association test. Psychologists are the only experts who have extensive training and experience more info in administering and interpreting psychological tests.
The goal of a psychiatric exam is to connect the patient with a doctor who can offer treatment and management. After the exam is complete, the doctor will inform the patient of the diagnosis and how it is related to their presenting symptoms. The doctor will also inform the patient about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis is likely to develop in time.