General Psychiatric Assessment

There are numerous challenges in performing psychiatric examinations in general medical settings. This includes privacy issues as well as ward rounds and assessments by other specialties, protected meal times and planned visits from family members.

It can be difficult to determine the outcome in this situation, due to particular challenges for specific outcomes related to disease and patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.

Medical Histories

The first step in a comprehensive psychiatric examination is to learn about the patient's medical history. This will include information about the patient's current condition, any medications they are taking and any significant past medical conditions that may affect their current health and well-being. This information will help the professional decide what psychological tests are appropriate and how many visits may be required before determining an assessment.

This step is often difficult to complete on medical wards due to the limited space available as well as interruptions due to ward rounds, assessments by other specialties and health experts, protected mealtimes, and planned visitors. It is crucial to find an area that is quiet to conduct the assessment and to make an appointment that doesn't interfere with any of these activities. It is also useful to ask the referrer what their concerns are, so that you can determine precisely what type of psychiatric evaluation is required.

It is important to be aware that physical health issues can affect or even overshadow symptoms of psychiatric illness. Diagnostic overshadowing is a very frequent issue and is hard to avoid. For example the case where the patient was admitted to a delirium hospital and they have a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia in their medical record It is tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium and assume that it is caused by an mental illness, rather than carry out a full delirium screen to rule out treatable causes like stroke.

It is essential that the psychiatrist who is conducting the assessment of the patient seeks to establish the relationship between the patient's physical and psychiatric issues, and also to identify any concerns or complaints that the patient might have regarding their treatment, care or treatment they receive or the way their health issue is being handled. Reference Osborn & Warner (1998) suggests a basic model for achieving this. However, it could be difficult to implement in the real world.

Family History

The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history in order 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 social status (including your relationships, work and if you receive support from home). You might be asked questions about your religious beliefs and about your ambitions and goals. The psychiatrist will determine an assessment and develop a treatment program that meets your requirements.

Physical symptoms are also crucial and it is vital that the psychiatrist evaluate these too. They will examine their blood pressure, listen to and feel the lungs and the heart as well as look for other medical conditions that could be causing the psychiatric symptom.

It is helpful for psychiatrists to get an entire physical examination from the patient's doctor however this might not always be possible, especially with patients who are extremely sick or inpatients at psychiatric units. These patients may have only very little or no face-to-face interactions with psychiatrists. In these instances it is essential that psychiatric nurses or care coordinators play a proactive role in ensuring the physical health needs of patients are satisfied.

Psychiatrists must also to understand why a patient has been referred and what they hope to achieve with their psychiatric evaluation. They should be able to interpret medical letters, investigate reports 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 must include the patient's own diagnosis of psychiatric illness and treatment history and details about their alcohol and drug usage. If you can, it's essential to gather the family history to determine the risk of developing certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder. Screens to collect life-long psychopathological information from informants and first-degree relatives are helpful but there is value in obtaining a full family psychiatric history as well.

Symptoms

During the psychiatric assessment the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they have impacted your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history and other issues that might be relevant. The process can be uncomfortable at times, but it is important to answer honestly and fully so that an accurate diagnosis can be made.

If you are suffering from mental health problems, such as anxiety or depression it is crucial to seek a psychiatric examination to see whether or not you require treatment. While it is normal to experience periods of stress or low mood occasionally, if these symptoms last for more than a few weeks and affect your daily functioning it is likely you need treatment.

Your psychiatrist will inquire about your symptoms as well as any other issues affecting you, such as work or family problems or addiction issues. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleeping habits and whether or not you have tried other methods to treat your symptoms.

Your psychiatrist may also ask you questions about your previous experiences with mental illness and they may use standardized assessment tools or psychological tests to gain more understanding of your current situation. These tests can include personality assessments, questionnaires or cognitive tests to determine your level of distress.

If the psychiatric examination shows that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms, which are caused by hallucinations, delusions or hallucinations that are a significant departure 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 to be observed. In these instances you'll need to be examined by a different psychiatrist before you can return home.

If you are seeking a psychiatric evaluation, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide the support and care you require. The team of experienced and knowledgeable professionals are committed to providing you with the information you need about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can book your psychiatric examination on the internet or by calling us now.

Psychological tests

An important part of a psychological assessment involves the use of various tests. Psychological tests are written evaluations or verbal evaluations that assess non-observed elements. They are commonly used to determine a person's personality traits and emotional functioning. They can be used to determine the severity of a particular mental illness, such as anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically conducted by a psychologist who has been trained. The patient must follow specific instructions to obtain accurate results.

The psychiatric assessment can vary in terms of the type and quantity of tests they employ according to the person's condition and symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment may be short, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination, or extended and thorough, like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological testing can be used to determine if there is a brain injury or concussion.

All kinds of psychiatric examinations can provide a picture of the patient's overall emotional and psychological functioning. They are conducted by doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists in hospitals to assess a person's current mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive abilities. Private therapists may also conduct them in their offices to gather here data for an appropriate treatment plan, and to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or a different type of therapy.

Intelligence and Achievement Tests are examples of psychological tests. These tests test cognitive functioning (often referred as IQ) in comparison to a normal group. Other tests are designed for evaluating the ability of a person to perform tasks, for example, a word association test or a memory test. Psychologists are the only experts with extensive training as well as experience the administration and interpretation of psychological tests.

The goal of a psychiatric exam is to connect the patient with a doctor who can offer treatment and treatment. When the examination is completed, the doctor will inform the patient about the diagnosis and how it relates to their presenting symptoms. The doctor will also discuss the prognosis. This is how a particular diagnosis can be likely to develop in the future.