General Psychiatric Assessment
There are numerous challenges in conducting psychiatric assessments in general medical settings. There are many issues to be faced such as privacy concerns, ward rounds, assessments by other specialists, protected mealtimes and scheduled visits to the family.
In this regard, it can be difficult to determine the impact of outcomes, especially when it comes to disease-specific outcomes.
Medical History
The first step in a comprehensive psychiatric examination is to determine the patient's medical background. This will include information regarding the patient's current condition and any medications they're taking and any significant past medical conditions that may have affected their current health and well-being. This information will also help the professional decide what psychological tests might be suitable and how many appointments they might require before determining an assessment.
This process is often difficult to complete on medical wards due the limited space available as well as interruptions due to the ward's rounds, examinations by other specialties and allied health specialists, protected mealtimes and scheduled visitors. It is essential to locate an area with enough privacy to conduct the examination and then schedule an appointment that does not conflict with any of these activities. Inquiring about the referrer's specific concerns will help determine which psychiatric evaluation is needed.
It is crucial to keep in mind 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. If a patient is admitted with delirium, but has an diagnosis of dementia in their medical records, it may be tempting to "shadow" the delirium', assuming that it is due to their mental illness. This is not as effective as carrying out a full screen for delirium to rule out treatmentable reasons such as stroke.
It is important that the psychiatrist who is assessing the patient attempts to establish a connection between the psychiatric and physical issues of the patient and to get complaints or concerns from the patient about their treatment, treatment or how their condition is handled. The basic model that is suggested in Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy way to accomplish this, but it could be difficult to implement this in practice.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask you about your family history in order to determine if there is an issue with mental health within your family. They'll also want be aware of any past traumas or abuse you've had and your current social situation (including relationships, work and whether you have a support system at home). You may be asked questions about your beliefs regarding religion as well as about your goals and goals. The psychiatrist will then make an assessment and formulate an appropriate treatment plan to suit your requirements.
The psychiatrist should also examine physical symptoms. They will test their blood pressure, listen to and feel the heart and lungs and also look for other medical conditions that could be causing the psychiatric symptom.
It is beneficial for a psychiatrist to receive a complete physical from the doctor who is treating the patient however this may not always be possible, particularly with people who are very sick or inpatients in psychiatric units. Patients with these conditions may have very little or no face-to-face contact with psychiatrists. In these instances it is crucial that psychiatric staff or care coordinators play a proactive role in ensuring the physical health needs of patients are fulfilled.
Psychiatrists should also to understand why a patient has been referred and what they are hoping to achieve through their psychiatric examination. They must be able to interpret medical letters and review reports of tests from an GP or other health professional, and they must be able to communicate effectively with the medical team that is treating the patient to determine the tests completed so that any medication or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is an essential aspect of any psychiatric examination, and this must include the patient's personal psychiatric diagnosis and past treatment and also details about their alcohol and drug use. It is also important to collect a detailed family history, if possible to determine the likelihood of developing certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder, which tends to occur in families. Screens to collect life-long 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
During the psychiatric examination, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they've affected your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history and any other issues that might be relevant. It can be a bit intrusive at times, but you need to answer honestly and completely to ensure a precise diagnosis.
It is important to have a psychiatric assessment if you suffer from mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. This will tell you whether you require treatment. It is normal to experience periods of stress and low mood, but if they last more than several days or impact your daily activities, then you might require treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms, your psychiatrist will also inquire about any other issues that may be impacting you, such as issues with work and family or substance abuse. They will also ask about your physical health, sleeping habits, and whether you've tried other approaches to manage your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist might also inquire about your past experiences of mental illness. They could also employ assessments that are standardised such as psychological tests to gain a better understanding of your current situation. These tests may include personality assessments, questionnaires or cognitive tests to determine the level of stress you are experiencing.
If your psychiatric evaluation shows that you have psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations or delusions that are quite different from what is believed to be reality, then the psychiatrist might need to conduct an extensive exam and admit you to the hospital for observation. In such cases, you will need to be evaluated by a different psychiatrist before returning home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the support and care you need. The team of friendly 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 arrange a psychiatric evaluation online or over the phone today.
Psychological tests
An important part of a psychological evaluation is the use of different tests. Psychological tests are written or oral assessments that are designed to test unobserved elements. They are used to evaluate the person's emotional health and personality traits. They can be used to determine a person's mental illness' severity, such as anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically conducted by a psychologist who is trained and requires the patient to follow certain guidelines to get accurate results.
Psychiatric assessment can vary in regards to the number and type psychological tests used, depending on the individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment may be short, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more thorough and time-consuming tests, such as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological testing can be used to determine if there's a concussion or brain injury.
All types of psychiatric assessment s provide a snapshot into the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. They are carried out by psychologists, doctors and sometimes psychiatrists in hospitals to determine a person's current mood, emotional reactivity, and cognitive abilities. Private therapists can also conduct them in their offices to collect data to develop an appropriate treatment plan, and to determine whether the patient could benefit from medication or another type of therapy.
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 evaluate the ability of a person to perform tasks, such as a word association test or a memory test. Psychologists are the only experts with extensive training and expertise to administer and interpret psychological tests.
A psychiatric examination is designed to connect the patient with a medical professional who can offer treatment and management. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient, and how it is related to the symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis, which means the way in which a specific diagnosis is likely to develop in the future.