General Psychiatric Assessment
The challenges of carrying out psychiatric assessments in general medical settings are many. There are numerous challenges such as privacy concerns, ward rounds, assessments by other specialists, protected meals, and scheduled visits to the family.
In this way it can be challenging to determine the impact of outcomes, especially when it comes to outcomes that are specific to a disease.
Medical Histories
The first step in the general psychiatric examination is to determine the medical history of the patient. This will include details of their current health and any medications they are taking, as well as any medical issues that have occurred in the past that may have influenced their current health and wellbeing. This information will aid the doctor in determining which psychological tests are appropriate and how many appointments will be needed before 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 or allied health professionals as well as protected mealtimes. It is worthwhile to schedule an appointment time that does not clash with any of these activities, and find somewhere quiet for the assessment to take place. The referrer's specific concerns will help you determine the type of psychotherapy evaluation is needed.
When conducting psychiatric examinations on the medical wards in general hospitals, it is crucial to remember that the physical health problems the patient is suffering from can influence or even overshadow their psychiatric signs and behaviors. This is a problem that is referred to as diagnostic overshadowing and can be very difficult to avoid. If patients are admitted with delirium but has an diagnosis of dementia in their medical records, it could be tempting to "shadow" the delirium' by assuming that it is due to the mental illness they have already suffered from. This is in contrast to carrying out a full screen for delirium to rule out treatmentable causes like stroke.
It is crucial that the psychiatrist who is assessing the patient attempts to establish a connection between the psychiatric and physical concerns of the patient and to get complaints or concerns from the patient regarding their treatment, treatment or how their condition is handled. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) suggests the most basic approach to accomplishing this. However, it can be difficult to implement in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask you about your family history in order to determine if there is an issue with mental health in your family. They will also ask about any experiences you've had with trauma or abuse, and your current status in the social world (including your work, relationships and whether you have assistance from your home). You could be asked about your religion and your dreams and goals. The psychiatrist will make an assessment and design a treatment plan that is suited to your requirements.
Physical symptoms are equally important and it is essential that the psychiatrist checks these as well. They will check the patient's blood pressure and listen to the lungs and heart and look for any other medical issues which could be causing or aggravating the symptoms of psychiatric illness.
It is usually beneficial for the psychiatrist to get a full physical from the general practitioner of the patient however, this isn't always feasible particularly for those who are extremely sick and those who are inpatients on psychiatric wards. These patients may have only very little or no face-to-face interaction with psychiatrists. In these cases, it is important that psychiatric nurses and care coordinators play an active role in ensuring that these patients' physical health issues are met.
Psychiatrists must also be able to understand why the person was referred to them and what they are hoping to gain from their psychiatric assessment. They should be capable of interpreting medical reports and investigate reports of tests from a GP or other health professional, and they must communicate effectively with the medical team that is treating the patient to determine the tests completed so that any medications or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is a key element of any psychiatric assessment and should include the patient's mental health diagnosis and previous treatment and details about their alcohol and drug usage. It is also essential to collect a detailed family history, if you can, in order to establish the likelihood of developing certain disorders, like bipolar disorder, which is known to be inherited by families. Brief screens to collect lifetime psychopathological information from informants and first-degree relatives can be helpful, but there is value in obtaining a full family psychiatric history as well.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric examination your doctor will inquire with 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 may be relevant. The interview may be uncomfortable at times, but it is essential that you answer honestly and completely to ensure that a correct diagnosis can be made.
It is important to have an assessment for psychiatric disorders if you suffer from mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety. This will tell you if you need treatment. It is normal to have periods of stress and low mood however when they last longer than a few days or affect your daily activities, then you may need treatment.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and any other issues that are affecting you, such as family or work issues, or substance abuse. They will also ask you about your physical health, your sleeping habits and whether or not you've tried other methods to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also ask you questions about your past experiences with mental illness, and they may use standardized assessment tools or psychological tests to gain more insight into your situation. These tests can include personality assessments, questionnaires or cognitive tests that measure the level of stress you are experiencing.
If the psychiatric assessment confirms that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms, which are manifested by hallucinations or delusions that are substantial departures from the reality of consensual The psychiatrist will have to perform a more in-depth exam and may have to admit you to hospital for observation. In these cases, psychiatrist assessment you will need to be evaluated by a different psychiatrist before you are able to return home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will give you the support and care you need. The team of experienced and knowledgeable professionals are committed to providing you with all the information you require about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can book a psychiatric examination on the internet or by phone today.
Psychological tests
A significant aspect of a psychological evaluation is the use of different tests. Psychological tests are written evaluations or verbal evaluations that assess unobserved constructs. They are often used to assess the personality of a person and their emotional functioning. They can be used to identify a mental health condition's severity, such as anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically done by an experienced psychologist who has been trained. The patient must follow certain instructions to get accurate results.
The psychiatric assessment can vary in the amount and type of psychological tests they use according to the individual and their presenting symptoms. A general psychiatric evaluation could be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or extensive and long, such as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests that are in-depth can be used to determine the presence of brain injuries, concussions or other neurological disorders.
All types of psychiatric evaluations help provide a snapshot of the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. In the hospital, doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists sometimes conduct these evaluations to assess a patient's mood emotional reactivity, cognitive capabilities. Private therapists may also conduct them in their offices to collect data to develop a treatment plan, and to determine whether a patient would benefit from medication or a different method of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are an example of psychological evaluations. These tests test cognitive performance (often known as IQ) in comparison to a normal group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability to perform tasks, like a word association test or a memory test. Psychologists are the only professionals who have extensive education and experience in administering and interpreting psychological tests.
The goal of a psychiatric exam is to pair the patient with a doctor who can offer treatment and management. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient and how it is related to their symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis can be likely to develop over time.