General Psychiatric Assessment
The difficulties of conducting mental health assessments in general medical settings are numerous. There are many issues to be faced such as privacy issues, ward rounds, assessments by other specialists, protected mealtimes and scheduled visits to the family.
In this way, it can be difficult to determine the impact of outcomes, especially when it comes to disease-specific outcomes.
Medical History
The first step in a general psychiatric evaluation is to determine the patient's medical background. This will include information regarding the patient's current health, any medications they are taking and any significant past medical conditions that may have impacted their health and well-being. This information can aid the doctor in determining which psychological tests are appropriate and the number of appointments they will have to schedule before making a diagnosis.
This step is often difficult to complete on medical wards due the limited space available as well as interruptions from the ward's rounds, examinations by other specialties and allied health experts, protected mealtimes, and scheduled visitors. It is worthwhile to arrange an appointment time that is not in conflict with the other activities listed above and find a quiet space for the examination to take place. Asking the referrer about their specific concerns will help you determine what type of assessment is required for psychiatric disorders.
When carrying out psychiatric assessments on medical wards of general hospitals, it is crucial to remember that the physical health issues that a patient presents with can influence or even mask their psychiatric symptoms and behavior. This is a frequent issue that is referred to as diagnostic overshadowing and can be very difficult to avoid. For example, if the patient was admitted for a delirium and has a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia in their medical record It is tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium as if it is due to their mental illness, rather than carry out a full screening for delirium to rule out causes that are treatable such as stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist who is assessing the patient tries to establish the relationship between the patient's physical and mental problems and to elicit any concerns or complaints the patient may have about their treatment, care or way their health condition is being handled. Reference Osborn & Warner (1998) suggests a basic model for achieving this. However, it could be difficult to implement in practice.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to see if there are any mental health issues in your family. They'll also want be aware of any past experiences of abuse or trauma and your current situation in the social world (including work, relationships and whether you have support at home). You may be asked questions about your beliefs in religion and about your ambitions and goals. The psychiatrist will then formulate an assessment and create a treatment plan that will meet your needs.
The psychiatrist should also look at physical symptoms. They will examine their blood pressure, listen and feel the lungs and heart as well as examine for any other medical conditions that could be causing the psychiatric symptom.
It is important for a psychiatrist to receive a complete physical from the patient's doctor, but this may not always be feasible, particularly for people who are very sick or are inpatients in psychiatric units. Patients on these wards might only have sporadic face-to-face contact with psychiatrists or none at all. In these cases, it is essential that psychiatrists' nurses or care coordinators play an active role in ensuring that patients' physical health needs are taken care of.
Psychiatrists should also be able understand why a person is being evaluated and what they hope to accomplish with their psychiatric evaluation. They need to be capable of interpreting medical reports and examine the results of tests provided by the GP or another health professional. They must communicate effectively with the medical team that is treating the patient to determine what investigations have been carried out to ensure that any treatment or medication can be coordinated.
The medical history is a crucial part of any psychiatric evaluation. It should include details about the diagnosis of the patient's psychiatric illness and treatment history as well as any drinking and drug use. If it is possible, it is important to collect a family history to determine the risk of developing certain disorders like bipolar disorder. Screens to collect life-long information about psychiatric conditions on informants as well as first-degree relatives are helpful, but there is merit in having a complete family history of psychiatric disorders in addition.
Signs and symptoms
During the psychiatric evaluation the doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they impact your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history and other issues that could be relevant. It may be uncomfortable at times, but you must provide a complete and honest answer to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
If you are suffering from mental health issues like anxiety or depression, it is important to undergo a psychiatric assessment to see whether or not you need treatment. It is normal to experience periods of low mood and stress however should they last for more than several days or impact your daily life, then you may need treatment.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms as well as any other issues that are affecting you, such as family or work-related issues, or substance abuse. They will also ask about your physical health, sleeping habits and if you have tried other methods to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also ask you about your past experiences of mental illness. They may also use standard assessment tools or psychological tests to help you understand your current situation. These tests could include questionnaires, personality tests or cognitive tests to gauge the level of stress you are experiencing.
If the psychiatric evaluation shows that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms that are marked by hallucinations or delusions that are substantial departures from the reality of consensual, the psychiatrist will need to perform a more in-depth examination and may be required to admit you to hospital for observation. You will have to undergo a second evaluation by an experienced psychiatrist before you are allowed to go home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the assistance and care you need. The team of experienced and caring professionals are dedicated to ensuring that you have all the information you require about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric evaluation on the internet or by calling us now.
Psychological Tests
The use of different tests is a crucial aspect of a psycho-psychological assessment. Psychological tests are written evaluations or verbal evaluations that assess unobserved aspects of a person's personality. They are typically used to evaluate the personality of a person and their emotional functioning. They can be used to determine a person's mental illness' severity, like depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually conducted by a trained psychologist and requires the patient to follow certain instructions to obtain accurate results.
The psychiatric assessment can vary in the amount and type of tests they employ dependent on the individual and their presenting symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment can be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or in-depth and lengthy, like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests that are in-depth can be used to assess the presence of a brain injury, concussion, or other neurological conditions.
one off psychiatric assessment of psychiatric assessments offer a glimpse of the patient's overall psychological and emotional state. In the hospital doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists may conduct these evaluations to assess a patient's mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive capabilities. Private therapists are also able to conduct them in their offices to gather information for a treatment plan, and to determine if patients would benefit from medication or another form of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are examples of psychological assessments. These tests assess cognitive functioning (often referred as IQ) in comparison to a normated group. Other tests are designed to evaluate the ability to perform an activity, such as an assessment of memory or the test of word association. Psychologists are the only experts who have the training and experience to conduct and interpret psychological tests.
The purpose of a psychiatric examination is to match the patient with a physician who can provide treatment and treatment. After the exam is completed, the doctor will inform the patient of the diagnosis and the relationship to their presenting symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis. This is how a particular diagnosis is expected to progress in time.