General Psychiatric Assessment
The challenges of carrying out psychiatric assessments in general medical settings are numerous. They include privacy concerns assessment, ward rounds, and visits by other specialties, secure time for meals and visits from family members.
It can also be difficult to measure outcome in this setting, with particular challenges for specific outcomes related to disease and satisfaction of patients and referrers ratings.
Medical History
The first step of an overall psychiatric assessment is to determine the medical background of the patient. This will include information about the patient's present condition, any medications they are taking and any significant past medical problems that could have affected their current health and well-being. This information will help the professional decide what psychological tests are appropriate and how many appointments may be necessary prior to making a diagnose.
This process can be difficult to complete on medical wards because of the limited space and interruptions from visits to wards, assessments from other specialties, allied health professionals and scheduled meal times. It is crucial to find an area that is quiet to conduct the assessment and then schedule an appointment that does not interfere with any of these activities. Asking the referrer about their specific concerns will help determine the type of assessment is required for psychiatric disorders.
It is essential to keep in mind that physical health issues can influence or even obscure the symptoms of psychiatric disorders. Overshadowing of diagnostics is a common problem and is difficult to avoid. If patients are admitted with delirium and has an diagnosis of dementia in their medical records, it could be tempting to 'overshadow the delirium' and assume that it is caused by their mental illness. This is not as effective as performing a complete screen for delirium to rule out treatmentable reasons such as stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist assessing the patient is able to establish a connection between the psychiatric and physical issues of the patient and to elicit concerns or complaints from the patient about their treatment, their care, or how their 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 practice.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to see whether there are any mental health problems within your family. They'll also inquire about any experiences you've had with trauma or abuse, and your current status in the social world (including your work, relationships and if you receive assistance from your home). You may be asked questions about your beliefs in religion and about your ambitions and goals. The psychiatrist will then make an assessment and create a treatment plan to suit your needs.
Physical symptoms are equally important and it is essential that the psychiatrist examine these too. They will examine the patient's blood pressure and listen to the heart and lungs and look for any other medical issues that may be causing or aggravate the symptoms of psychiatric illness.
It is beneficial for psychiatrists to receive an entire physical examination from the patient's GP, but this may not always be possible, particularly with those who are sick or inpatients at psychiatric units. Patients on these wards might only have sporadic face-to-face contact with psychiatrists, or none at all. In these instances it is essential that the psychiatric staff or care coordinators take an active role in ensuring that the physical health needs of patients are met.
Psychiatrists must 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 to read medical letters, investigate reports of tests, and communicate effectively with the person's medical team to manage any medication or treatment.
The medical history is an important element of any psychiatric examination. It must include information about the patient's diagnosis of psychiatric disorders as well as past treatment, as well as drug and alcohol usage. It is also essential to collect a detailed family history, if possible, in order to establish the risk of certain disorders, like bipolar disorder, which tends to run in families. It is useful to make use of screens that record lifetime psychiatric data on informants and their first-degree relatives however, it is equally important to obtain a complete family psychiatric record.
Signs and symptoms
In the course of a psychiatric evaluation your doctor will inquire with you about your symptoms and how they have impacted your life. Your psychiatrist will ask you about any pertinent questions, such as your family history. It can be a bit intrusive at times, but you must be honest and complete to ensure that you receive a correct diagnosis.
It is essential to undergo an evaluation of your psychiatric condition in case you suffer from mental health issues, like anxiety or depression. This will tell you if you need treatment. It is normal to experience periods of depression and stress, but if they last more than a few days or affect your daily functioning then you may require treatment.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and any other issues impacting you, like family or work-related issues or addiction issues. They will also ask you about your physical health, your sleeping habits and whether or not you have tried other methods to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also inquire about your past experiences of mental illness. They could also employ standard assessment tools or psychological tests to get a better understanding of your situation. These tests can include questionnaires, personality tests or cognitive tests that measure the level of stress you are experiencing.
If the psychiatric examination shows that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms, which are manifested by hallucinations or delusions that are significant deviations from reality as a consensual entity, the psychiatrist will need to conduct a more thorough exam and may have to admit you to hospital to be observed. In such cases, you will need to be examined by a different psychiatrist before you are able to return home.
If you are seeking a psychiatric evaluation, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the care and support you deserve. The team of skilled and knowledgeable professionals are committed to ensuring that you have the necessary information regarding your diagnosis and treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric evaluation online or by phone today.
Psychological Tests
An essential part of a psychological evaluation is the use of various tests. Psychological tests are written assessments or verbal evaluations that measure unobserved aspects of a person's personality. They are often used to assess a person's personality traits and emotional functioning. They can also be used to determine the severity of a certain mental illness, for example, anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is usually done by a qualified psychologist and requires the patient to adhere to specific instructions in order to get exact results.
Psychological assessments can differ in terms of the number and types of psychological tests used, depending on the individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment can be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or in-depth and lengthy, like the Montreal psychiatric assessment online Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests that are in-depth can be used to assess the presence of a brain injury, concussion, or other neurological conditions.
All types of psychiatric assessments offer a glimpse of the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. They are carried out by psychologists, doctors, and sometimes psychiatrists in the hospital setting to determine a person's current mood, emotional reactivity, and cognitive capabilities. Private therapists can also conduct them in their offices to collect data for a treatment plan, and to determine whether the patient could benefit from medication or another form of therapy.
A few examples of psychological assessments include intelligence & achievement tests that measure various types of cognitive functioning (often called IQ) and performance in comparison to a standard group. Other tests are designed to test the ability of a task, such as a memory test or the test of word association. Psychologists are the only experts with extensive training and expertise to administer and interpret psychological tests.
The goal of a psychiatric assessment is to match the patient with a physician who can offer treatment and management. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient and explain how it is related to their symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis will expected progress over time.