General Psychiatric Assessment
There are many challenges to completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. There are many issues to be faced, including privacy issues and ward rounds, evaluations by other specialists, protected mealtimes, and planned family visits.
In this way it can be challenging to determine the impact of outcomes, especially when it comes to specific outcomes due to illness.
Medical Histories
The first step in an overall psychiatric assessment is to understand the medical background of the patient. This includes details of their present condition and any medication they are taking in addition to any significant previous medical problems that may have influenced their current health and wellbeing. This information can help the physician determine the appropriate psychological tests and how many appointments may be necessary prior to making diagnosis.
This step is often difficult to complete on medical wards due to the limited space available and interruptions during visits to the ward, assessments by other specialties and allied health experts, protected mealtimes, and planned visits. It is crucial to find an area that is quiet to conduct the assessment and then schedule an appointment that doesn't interfere with any of these activities. It is also helpful to inquire from the referrer what their concerns are so that you can identify precisely what type of psychiatric examination is required.
When conducting psychiatric examinations on medical wards of general hospitals, it is important to be aware that the physical health issues the patient is suffering from can influence or even mask their psychiatric signs and behaviors. This is a common problem that is referred to as diagnostic shadowing and is very difficult to avoid. For instance when an individual has been admitted for a delirium and they have a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical record it can be tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium as if it is due to their existing mental illness rather than carry out a full screening for delirium to rule out treatable causes like stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist assessing the patient tries to establish the connection between the patient's physical and mental issues and to inquire about any concerns or complaints the patient might have regarding their treatment, care or the way their health condition is being handled. The basic model suggested in Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy way to accomplish this, however it can be difficult to implement it in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to see whether there are any mental health issues in your family. They will also want to know about any traumas or abuse you've had and your current situation in the social world (including your relationships, work and whether you have a support system at home). You might be asked questions about your religious beliefs as well as about your goals and hopes. The psychiatrist will then formulate a diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan to fit your needs.
Physical symptoms are also important and it is vital that the psychiatrist checks these as well. They will check the patient's blood pressure and listen to the lungs and heart and examine for any other medical issues that may be causing or aggravating the psychiatric symptoms.
It is beneficial for psychiatrists to receive an exhaustive physical from the patient's doctor However, this may not always be feasible, particularly for patients who are extremely sick or are inpatients in psychiatric units. They may have minimal or no face-to-face contact with psychiatrists. In such cases it is crucial that psychiatric nurses or care coordinators take an active part in ensuring these patients' physical health issues are addressed.
Psychiatrists should also comprehend why a person is being referred to them and what they expect to achieve with their psychiatric assessment. They must be able interpret medical letters, review the results of tests and communicate effectively with the person's medical team to determine the best treatment or medication for the patient.
The medical history is an essential component of any psychiatric evaluation and should include the patient's own psychiatric diagnosis and past treatment, as well as information about their drug and alcohol use. If you can, it's essential to gather an entire family history to assess the risk of certain disorders such as bipolar disorder. Brief screens to collect lifetime information about psychiatric conditions on informants as well as first-degree relatives are helpful but there is merit in having a complete family psychiatric history as well.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric assessment your doctor will inquire with you about your symptoms and how they have affected your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history and any other issues that might be relevant. The process can be uncomfortable at times, but it is essential that you answer honestly and fully so that an accurate diagnosis can be given.
It is crucial to have an evaluation of your psychiatric condition if you suffer from mental health issues, like anxiety or depression. This will determine 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 life, then you may require treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms, your psychiatrist will also inquire about any other issues that might be impacting you, such as family and work problems or abuse of substances. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleep habits, and if you've tried other approaches to manage your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also ask you about your previous experiences with mental illness. They could also employ standard assessment tools or psychological tests to gain a better understanding of your current situation. These tests may include questionnaires, personality tests or cognitive tests that measure your level of distress.
If your psychiatric assessment finds that you suffer from psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions which are a significant departure from what is considered to be real, then the psychiatrist might have to perform an in-depth exam and admit you to the hospital to be observed. In such cases you'll need be re-evaluated by another psychiatrist before you can return home.
If you're in need of an evaluation of your psychiatric condition, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide the care and support you deserve. The team of helpful and experienced professionals is committed to providing you with the information you need about your diagnosis and possible treatment options. You can schedule a psychiatric assessment via the internet or by calling today.
Psychological Tests
The use of different tests is an important part of a psycho-psychological evaluation. Psychological tests are written evaluations or verbal evaluations that measure non-observed elements. They are typically used to determine a person's personality traits and emotional functioning. They can be used to identify a mental illness' severity, such as depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually conducted by psychologists who have been trained. The patient must adhere to certain guidelines to get accurate results.
The psychiatric assessment can vary in the website number and type of psychological tests they use dependent on the person's condition and symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment can be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or extended and thorough, like a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. A thorough neuropsychological test can be used to assess the presence of brain injuries, concussions, or other neurological conditions.
All types of psychiatric examinations provide a snapshot into the patient's emotional and psychological functioning. In the hospital doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists may conduct these evaluations to assess the patient's mood and emotional reactivity as well as cognitive abilities. They are also conducted by private therapists at their offices to gather data for a treatment plan as well as to determine if a patient may benefit from medication or other forms of therapy.
Intelligence and Achievement Tests are an example of psychological tests. These tests measure cognitive performance (often known as IQ) in comparison to a normal group. Other tests are designed to evaluate the ability of a person to perform tasks, for example, memory or word association test. Psychologists are the only experts with a vast amount of training and experience to administer and interpret psychological tests.
The aim of a psychiatric exam is to pair the patient with a medical professional who can offer treatment and management. When the examination is completed, the doctor will inform the patient about the diagnosis and the relationship to their present symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis, which means how a particular diagnosis can be expected to progress over time.