General Psychiatric Assessment
The challenges of carrying out psychiatric assessments in general medical settings are many. There are many issues to be faced such as privacy concerns, ward rounds, assessments by other specialists, secure meals, and scheduled visits to the family.
It can also be difficult to determine the outcome in this situation, due to particular difficulties for outcomes specific to diseases and patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical Histories
The first step in a general psychiatric assessment is to determine the patient's medical history. This will include details of their present condition and any medication they are taking, as well as any previous medical issues that may have influenced their current health and wellbeing. This information can aid the doctor in determining what psychological tests are appropriate and how many visits may be required before determining a diagnose.
This process is often difficult to complete on medical wards because of the limited space available and interruptions during ward rounds, assessments by other specialties, allied health experts, protected mealtimes, and planned visitors. It is crucial to find an area that is quiet to conduct the examination and to make an appointment that does not interfere with any of these activities. The referrer's 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 may influence or even shadow psychiatric symptoms. Overshadowing of diagnostics is a common issue and is very difficult to avoid. If the patient is admitted to hospital with delirium and has an diagnosis of dementia in their medical records, it may be tempting to "shadow" the delirium', assuming that it is caused by the mental illness they have already suffered from. This is rather than carrying out a full screen for delirium to rule out treatmentable causes such as stroke.
It is therefore important that the psychiatrist who is taking a look at the patient is trying to establish the connection between the patient's physical and psychological issues and to inquire about any complaints or concerns the patient may have about their treatment, care or the way their health condition is being managed. The basic model that is suggested in the reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy method to achieve this, but it can be difficult to implement this in the real world.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask about your family history to determine if there are any mental health problems within your family. They will also inquire about any traumas you've experienced or abused, as well as your current status in the social world (including your work, relationships, and if you have support from home). You could be asked about your religion as well as your goals and dreams. The psychiatrist will determine an assessment and create a treatment plan that meets your needs.
Physical symptoms are also crucial and it is vital that the psychiatrist examine these as well. They will test the patient's blood pressure and listen to the heart and lungs and examine for any other medical issues that may be causing or aggravating the symptoms of psychiatric illness.
It is often beneficial for the psychiatrist to get a full physical from the general practitioner of the patient but this isn't always possible particularly for those who are seriously ill and inpatients on psychiatric wards. Those on these wards may only have sporadic face-to-face contact with psychiatrists, or none at all. In such cases it is essential that psychiatric nurses and care coordinators play an active part in ensuring these patients' physical health needs are addressed.
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 capable of interpreting medical reports and investigate the results of tests provided by an GP or other health professional. They must communicate effectively with the person's medical team about the investigations completed so that any treatment or medication can be coordinated.
The medical history is an essential element of any psychiatric examination. It should contain information about the patient's diagnosis of psychiatric disorders, past treatment and drinking and drug use. If it is possible, it is important to collect a family history to determine the risk of certain disorders like bipolar disorder. Brief screens to collect lifetime information about psychiatric conditions on informants as well as first-degree relatives can be useful however, there is a merit in having a complete family history of psychiatric disorders as well.
Symptoms
In the course of a psychiatric evaluation, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they've affected your life. Your psychiatrist will ask you about any pertinent issues, such as your family history. The interview can feel invasive at times, but it's important to answer honestly and fully so that an accurate diagnosis can be made.
If you're experiencing mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, it is important to get a psychiatric evaluation to see whether or not you require treatment. While it is normal to have periods of low mood or stress from time to time but if the symptoms last for more than two weeks and interfere with your daily functioning, it is likely that you require treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms, your psychiatrist will also ask about any other issues that may be affecting you, such as family and work problems or substance abuse. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleep habits, and whether you've tried other approaches to manage your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also inquire about your past experiences of mental illness. They can also use standardized assessment tools, or psychological tests, to help you understand your situation. These tests could include personality tests, questionnaires or cognitive tests to measure the level of stress you are experiencing.
If your psychiatric examination indicates that you are suffering from psychotic symptoms, for example hallucinations or delusions that are quite different from what is thought to be real, the psychiatrist may need to conduct an extensive exam and send you to the hospital for observation. You will need to undergo a second assessment by a psychiatrist before you are allowed to go home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will give you the support and care you need. The team of friendly and knowledgeable professionals is dedicated to providing you with the information you need about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can arrange a psychiatric evaluation on the internet or by phone today.
Psychological Tests
The use of a variety of tests is a crucial aspect of a psycho-psychological examination. Psychological tests are either written or verbal evaluations designed to measure unobserved aspects. They are often used to evaluate the traits of a person's personality and emotional functioning. They can also be used to determine the severity of a specific mental illness, for example, anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically conducted by a trained psychologist and requires the patient to follow certain instructions in order to get exact results.
The psychiatric assessment may differ in terms of the number and type psychological tests that are administered, based on an individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric examination can be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or extensive and long, such as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests can be used to determine if there is a brain injury or concussion.
All types of psychiatric assessments provide a look at the patient's emotional website and psychological functioning. In the hospital doctors, psychologists, and sometimes psychiatrists conduct these evaluations to assess the patient's mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive abilities. Private therapists are also able to conduct them in their offices to gather data to develop a treatment plan, and to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or another form of therapy.
A few examples of psychological assessments include tests of intelligence and achievement, which measure certain kinds 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 an assessment of memory or the test of word association. Psychologists are the only experts with extensive training and expertise to conduct and interpret psychological tests.
The purpose of a psychiatric assessment is to pair the patient with a physician who can offer treatment and management. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient and how it relates to their symptoms. The doctor will also discuss the prognosis, which is how a particular diagnosis is expected to progress in the future.