General Psychiatric Assessment
There are many challenges to performing psychiatric examinations in general medical settings. These include problems with privacy assessment, ward rounds, and visits by other specialties. They also have issues with meal times and planned visits from family members.
It can be difficult to quantify outcomes in this situation, due to particular challenges for specific outcomes related to disease and satisfaction of patients and referrers ratings.
Medical History
The first step in a general psychiatric evaluation is to understand the patient's medical history. This will include information about the patient's present condition and any medications they're taking and any major past medical issues that may affect their current health and well-being. This information will aid the doctor in determining what psychological tests might be suitable and how many appointments they might have to schedule before making a diagnosis.
This is often a challenge to complete on medical wards because of the limited space available as well as interruptions from ward rounds, assessments by other specialties, allied health professionals, protected mealtimes and planned visits. It is essential to locate 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 beneficial to ask the person who refers you what their specific concerns are, so that you can identify precisely what type of psychiatric examination is required.
It is important to keep in mind that physical health issues may influence or even shadow psychiatric symptoms. Overshadowing of diagnostics is a frequent issue and is hard to avoid. For instance, if an individual has been admitted for a delirium and they have a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical record It is tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium and assume that it is caused by an existing mental illness instead of conduct a complete screening for delirium to rule out treatment-able causes like stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist who is taking a look at the patient is trying to establish the connection between the patient's physical and psychiatric issues, and also to identify any complaints or concerns the patient might have regarding their treatment, care or the treatment they receive or the way their health issue is being handled. Reference Osborn & Warner (1998) recommends a basic model for achieving this. However, it could be difficult to implement in practice.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask you about your family history to determine if there is a mental health issue in your family. They will also inquire about any experiences you've had with trauma or experienced, as well as your current status in the social world (including your relationships, work and if you receive support from home). You may be asked about your religious beliefs and your dreams and goals. The psychiatrist will make an assessment and create a treatment plan that is suited to your needs.
The psychiatrist should also examine physical symptoms. They will test the patient's blood pressure, listen to the heart and lungs and examine for any other medical conditions that may be causing or aggravate the symptoms of psychiatric illness.
It is important for a psychiatrist to receive an entire physical examination from the patient's doctor however this might not be feasible, particularly for patients who are extremely sick or are inpatients in psychiatric units. Patients on these wards might only have very infrequent face-to-face contact with psychiatrists or none at all. In these instances, it is vital that the psychiatrist's staff or care coordinators take an active role in ensuring that the physical health requirements of patients are satisfied.
Psychiatrists should also be able understand why a person is being referred to them and what they hope to achieve with their psychiatric assessment. They need to be capable of interpreting medical reports and examine the results of tests provided by a GP or other health professional. They must communicate effectively with the medical team of the patient about the tests carried out so that any medication or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is a key aspect of any psychiatric examination and must include the patient's own diagnosis of psychiatric illness and treatment history and also information regarding their drug and alcohol 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 that are brief to gather lifetime psychiatric information on informants and first-degree relatives are helpful however, there is a value in obtaining a full family history of psychiatric disorders as well.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric assessment, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they have impacted your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history and any other issues that could be relevant. It may be uncomfortable at times, but you need to answer honestly and completely to ensure a precise diagnosis.
It is essential to undergo a psychiatric assessment when you are suffering from mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. This will tell you if you need treatment. It is normal to experience periods of depression and stress, but if they last more than a few days or affect your daily functioning then you may require treatment.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms and any other issues that are impacting you, like family or work-related issues, or substance abuse. They will also ask you about your physical health, sleeping habits and whether or not you've tried any other ways to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist might also ask you about your previous experiences with mental illness. They could also employ standardized assessment tools or psychological tests to get a better understanding of your current situation. These tests may include personality assessments, questionnaires or cognitive tests that measure your level of distress.
If the psychiatric examination confirms that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms, marked by hallucinations or delusions that are substantial departures from consensual reality The psychiatrist will have to perform a more in-depth examination and may need to admit you to a hospital to be observed. In these cases you'll 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 require. The team of helpful and experienced professionals is committed to providing you more info with the information you need about the diagnosis you have received and possible treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric exam via the internet or call us now.
Psychological Tests
The use of a variety of tests is an important part of a psycho-psychological evaluation. Psychological tests are written evaluations or verbal evaluations which measure non-observed elements. 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 particular mental illness, such as depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually conducted by a trained psychologist and requires the patient to follow specific guidelines to get exact results.
Psychological assessments can differ in the amount and type of psychological tests they use dependent on the person's condition and symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment can be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or extensive and long, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological testing can be used to determine if there is a brain injury or concussion.
All types of psychiatric examinations offer a glimpse of the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. In the hospital doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists sometimes conduct these assessments to determine a patient's mood emotional reactivity, cognitive abilities. They are also conducted by private therapists in their offices to gather information for a treatment plan as well as to determine if a patient may benefit from a medication or other kinds of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are an example of psychological assessments. These tests measure cognitive performance (often called IQ) in contrast to a normative group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability of a person to perform tasks, like memory or word association test. Psychologists are the only professionals with a vast amount of training and experience to administer and interpret psychological tests.
The purpose of a psychiatric examination is to pair the patient with a medical professional who can provide treatment and management. After the exam is completed, the doctor will inform the patient about the diagnosis and the relationship to their current symptoms. The doctor will also speak about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis can be expected to progress over time.