General Psychiatric Assessment
The difficulties of conducting mental health assessments in general medical settings are many. This includes privacy issues as well as ward rounds and assessments by other specialties, protected meal times and planned visits from family members.
In this way it can be challenging to determine the impact of outcomes, especially when it comes to disease-specific outcomes.
Medical History
The first step in the general psychiatric examination is to establish the medical history of the patient. This will include information about their present condition and any medication they are taking, as well as any significant previous medical problems that may have influenced their current health and wellbeing. This information can help the professional decide what psychological tests might be appropriate and how many appointments they will need to make before making an assessment.
This step can be difficult to complete in medical wards because of the limited space and interruptions from the ward's rounds, examinations from other specialties as well as allied health professionals, and meals that are protected. It is essential to locate an area with enough privacy to conduct the examination and then schedule an appointment that doesn't conflict with any of these activities. It is also beneficial to ask the person who refers you what their specific concerns are, so that you can determine exactly what kind of psychiatric examination is required.
When performing psychiatric assessments on the medical wards of general hospitals, it is important to be aware that the physical health issues a patient presents with can influence or even mask their psychiatric signs and behaviors. This is a frequent issue that is known as diagnostic overshadowing and is extremely difficult to avoid. For instance the case where a patient has been admitted for a delirium and has a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical record it can be tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium by assuming it is due to their mental illness, rather than conduct a complete screening for delirium to rule out treatable causes like stroke.
It is crucial that the psychiatrist assessing the patient tries to establish the relationship between the patient's physical and mental issues and to inquire about any complaints or concerns the patient might have regarding their treatment, care or manner in which their health condition is being managed. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) recommends 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 is a mental health issue in your family. They will also ask about any past traumas or abuse, and your current status in the social world (including your work, relationships, and if you have support from home). You may be asked questions about your beliefs regarding religion as well as about your goals and hopes. The psychiatrist will then make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that will fit your requirements.
Physical symptoms are also crucial and it is vital that the psychiatrist examine these too. They will examine the patient's blood pressure, listen to the heart and lungs and look for any other medical issues which could be causing or aggravating the psychiatric symptoms.
It is often beneficial for the psychiatrist to get an entire physical exam from the general practitioner of the patient 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 face-to-face interactions with psychiatrists. In these instances it is essential that the psychiatrist's nurses or care coordinators take an proactive role in ensuring the physical health needs of patients are fulfilled.
Psychiatrists should also to understand why a patient is being evaluated and what they hope to accomplish with their psychiatric assessment. They need to be capable of interpreting medical reports and examine reports of tests from a GP or other health professional, and they must communicate effectively with the person's medical team about the investigations conducted to ensure that any medications or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is a key aspect of any psychiatric examination and must include the patient's personal diagnosis of psychiatric illness and treatment history and also information about their alcohol and drug usage. It is also crucial to obtain a complete family history, if it is possible, in order to establish the risk of certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder, which tends to be inherited by families. It is helpful to utilize screens that record the lifetime psychiatric information of informants and their first-degree relatives, but it is equally essential to collect a complete family psychiatric record.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric assessment the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they have impacted your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history, as well as any other issues that may be relevant. It may be uncomfortable at times, but you need to provide a complete and honest answer to ensure that you receive a correct diagnosis.
It is crucial to have a psychiatric assessment in case you suffer from mental health issues, like anxiety or depression. This will help determine if you need 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 may require treatment.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and any other issues impacting you, like work or family problems or addiction issues. They will also ask you about your physical health, your sleeping habits and whether or not you have tried any other strategies to alleviate your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also inquire about your past experiences of mental illness. visit this weblink can also use standardized assessment tools, or psychological tests, to help you understand your current situation. These tests may include personality tests, questionnaires or cognitive tests that measure your level of distress.
If your psychiatric examination shows that you have psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations and delusions which are quite different from what is thought to be real, then the psychiatrist might need to conduct an extensive exam and then admit you to the hospital for observation. In these instances, you will need to be examined by a different psychiatrist before you are able to return home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the support and care you need. The team of friendly and knowledgeable professionals is dedicated to providing you with the necessary information regarding the diagnosis you have received and possible treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric evaluation via the internet or call us today.
Psychological tests
The use of different tests is an essential part of a psycho-psychological evaluation. Psychological tests are written or oral assessments that are designed to test unobserved constructs. They are typically used to evaluate the personality of a person and their emotional functioning. They can also be used to determine the severity of a specific mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is typically conducted by a trained psychologist and requires the patient to adhere to specific instructions in order to get precise results.
Psychological assessments can differ in the amount and types of psychological tests employed, based on an individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric evaluation can be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or extended and thorough, like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests that are in-depth can be used to assess the presence of brain injuries, concussions, or other neurological conditions.
All kinds of psychiatric examinations can provide a picture of the patient's overall emotional and psychological functioning. In the hospital doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists sometimes conduct these evaluations to assess a patient's mood emotional reactivity, cognitive capabilities. Private therapists can also conduct them in their offices to gather data for a treatment plan, and to determine whether patients would benefit from medication or a different method of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are examples of psychological evaluations. These tests test cognitive performance (often referred as IQ) in comparison to a normal group. Other tests are designed to evaluate the ability to complete tasks, like memory or word association test. Psychologists are the only experts who have the training and experience to administer and interpret psychological tests.
The aim of a psychiatric examination is to match the patient with a physician who can offer treatment and management. After the exam is complete the doctor will inform the patient about the diagnosis and how it relates to their current symptoms. The doctor will also discuss the prognosis, which is how a particular diagnosis can be likely to develop in time.