General Psychiatric Assessment
The difficulties of conducting mental health assessments in general medical settings are many. There are many issues to be faced, including privacy issues, ward rounds, assessments by other specialists, protected meals, and scheduled family visits.
It can be difficult to measure outcome in this context, and there are particular challenges for specific outcomes related to disease and satisfaction of patients and referrers ratings.
Medical Histories
The first step in a comprehensive psychiatric examination is to understand the patient's medical history. This includes details of their current condition and any medications they are taking and any previous medical issues which may have influenced their health and wellbeing. This information will also help the professional decide what psychological tests would be appropriate and how many appointments they might need to make before making the diagnosis.
This procedure can be a challenge to complete in medical wards due to the limited space and interruptions by visits to wards, assessments from other specialties or allied health professionals as well as scheduled meal times. It is worthwhile to find a time that doesn't clash with any of these activities and find a quiet space for the examination to be conducted. Inquiring about the referrer's particular concerns will help you determine which assessment is required for psychiatric disorders.
When performing psychiatric assessments on the medical wards in general hospitals it is important to remember that the physical health issues that patients present with may influence or even mask their psychiatric symptoms and behaviour. Diagnostic overshadowing is a very common issue and is very difficult to avoid. If patients are admitted with delirium and has an diagnosis of dementia in their medical records, it can be tempting to "shadow" the delirium', assuming that it is caused by the mental illness they have already suffered from. This is rather than conducting a thorough screening for delirium to rule out treatmentable causes such as stroke.
It is crucial that the psychiatrist conducting the assessment of the patient seeks to establish the relationship between the patient's physical and mental issues, and also to identify any concerns or complaints that the patient has about their treatment, care or the way their health condition is being managed. Reference Osborn & Warner (1998) recommends the most basic approach to accomplishing this. However, it can be difficult to implement in real life.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to determine if there are any mental health problems in your family. They'll also inquire about any past traumas or abused, as well as your current social standing (including your work, relationships, and if you have support from home). You could be asked about your religious beliefs and your dreams and goals. The psychiatrist will determine an assessment, and then design a treatment plan that suits your requirements.
Physical symptoms are also important and it is essential that the psychiatrist examine these as well. They will examine the patient's blood pressure and listen to the heart and lungs and examine for any other medical issues that could be causing or aggravating the psychiatric symptoms.
It is important for psychiatrists to get a complete physical from the doctor who is treating the patient, but this might not always be possible, especially with patients who are extremely sick or inpatients at psychiatric units. Patients on these wards might only have very infrequent face-to-face contact with psychiatrists, or perhaps none at all. In these situations, it is vital that the psychiatric nurses or care coordinators take an proactive role in ensuring the physical health needs of patients are satisfied.
Psychiatrists should also be able to understand why the person was referred to them and what they are hoping to gain from their psychiatric assessment. They need to be competent in interpreting medical letters and investigate the results of tests provided by a GP or other health professional. They must communicate effectively with person's medical team about what investigations have been carried out so that any treatment or medication can be coordinated.
The medical history is a crucial part of any psychiatric evaluation. It should contain information about the diagnosis of the patient's psychiatric illness and treatment history as well as any drug and alcohol usage. If possible, it is important to obtain a family history to determine the risk of developing certain disorders like bipolar disorder. Screens to collect life-long psychopathological information from informants and first-degree relatives can be useful however, there is a merit in having a complete family history of psychiatric disorders in addition.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric assessment your doctor will inquire with you about your symptoms and how they have affected your life. Your psychiatrist will also inquire about any relevant issues like your family history. It can be a bit intrusive at times, but you must be honest and complete to ensure a precise diagnosis.
If you're suffering from mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression it is crucial to undergo a psychiatric assessment to determine if you require treatment. While it is normal to experience periods of stress or low mood occasionally however, if these symptoms last for more than two weeks and interfere with your daily functioning, it is likely that you need treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms Your psychiatrist will ask about any other issues that could be affecting you, such as problems at work or with your family, or substance abuse. They will also ask you about your physical health, your sleeping habits, and whether or not you have tried any other strategies to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also ask you about your past experiences of mental illness. They could also employ assessments that are standardised or psychological tests to help you understand your situation. These tests can include personality tests, questionnaires or cognitive tests that measure the level of stress you are experiencing.
If the psychiatric examination confirms that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms, marked by hallucinations or delusions that are a significant departure from the reality of consensual The psychiatrist will have to conduct a more thorough examination and may be required to admit you to a hospital for observation. In these instances you'll 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 caring and knowledgeable professionals is dedicated to giving you the necessary information regarding your diagnosis and treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric evaluation on the internet or by calling us today.
Psychological Tests
A significant aspect of a psychological evaluation is the use of a variety of tests. Psychological tests are written or oral assessments that are designed to test unobserved aspects. They are used to evaluate the emotional state of a person and personality traits. They can also be used to determine the severity of a certain mental illness, for example, anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically conducted by a psychologist who is trained and requires the patient to follow specific instructions in order to get accurate results.
Psychological assessments can differ in the amount and type of psychological tests they utilize according to the person and their 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 testing can check here be used to determine if there is an injury to the brain or concussion.
All types of psychiatric evaluations offer a glimpse of the patient's overall psychological and emotional state. In the hospital doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists sometimes conduct these tests to evaluate the patient's mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive capabilities. Private therapists may also conduct them in their offices to gather data to develop a treatment plan, and to determine whether patients would benefit from medication or a different type of therapy.
Intelligence & Achievement Tests are examples of psychological evaluations. These tests measure cognitive functioning (often called IQ) in comparison to a normated group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability to perform tasks, like memory or word association test. Psychologists are the only experts with extensive training and expertise to conduct and interpret psychological tests.
The aim of a psychiatric examination is to match the patient with a physician who can provide treatment and management. After the exam is complete, the doctor will inform the patient about the diagnosis and how it is related to their presenting symptoms. The doctor will also discuss the prognosis, which is the way in which a specific diagnosis is expected to progress in the future.