General Psychiatric Assessment
The challenges of carrying out mental health assessments in general medical settings are many. There are numerous challenges, including privacy issues as well as ward rounds, examinations by other specialists, secure mealtimes, and planned family visits.
It can also be difficult to determine the outcome in this context, and there are particular challenges for specific outcomes related to disease and patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical History
The first step in the general psychiatric examination is to determine the medical history of the patient. This will include details of their current health and any medication they are taking in addition to any previous medical issues that could have affected their health and well-being. This information can aid the doctor in determining what psychological tests might be appropriate and the number of appointments they will need to make before making an assessment.
This process can be difficult to complete on medical wards because of the small space and interruptions caused by visits to wards, assessments from other specialties, allied health professionals and protected mealtimes. It is important to find a time that doesn't clash with any of these activities, and find somewhere quiet for the assessment to be conducted. The referrer's specific concerns will help you determine what type of psychotherapy evaluation is needed.
It is crucial to remember that physical health issues can affect or even overshadow symptoms of psychiatric illness. Overshadowing by diagnosis is a common problem and is difficult to avoid. For instance the case where an individual has been admitted for a delirium and they have a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia in their medical record then it is tempting to "shadow" the delirium and assume it is due to their existing mental illness rather than conduct a complete screening for delirium to rule out causes that are treatable like stroke.
It is crucial 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 complaints or concerns the patient may have about their treatment, care or way their health condition is being handled. The basic model that is recommended in the reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy method to achieve this, but it could be difficult to implement this in the real world.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask about your family history to see whether there are any mental health issues within your family. They'll also want to be aware of any experiences of abuse or trauma and your current social situation (including your relationships, work and whether you have support at home). You might be asked questions about your beliefs regarding religion and about your ambitions and goals. The psychiatrist will provide an assessment and design a treatment plan that suits your requirements.
The psychiatrist should also examine physical symptoms. They will examine the patient's blood pressure and listen to the heart and lungs and examine for any other medical conditions that could be causing or exacerbating the psychiatric symptoms.
It is often helpful for a psychiatrist to get an entire physical exam from the patient's general practitioner, but it's not always possible especially for patients who are very ill or inpatients on psychiatric hospitals. Those on these wards may have only sporadic face-toface contact with psychiatrists, or none at all. In these cases, it is important that psychiatrists' nurses or care coordinators play a prominent role in ensuring that patients' physical health concerns are taken care of.
Psychiatrists should also be able to comprehend why a person was referred to them and what they expect to accomplish from their psychiatric examination. They must be able interpret medical letters, review reports of tests, and communicate effectively with the person's medical team to manage any medication or treatment.
The medical history is a key component of any psychiatric evaluation and must include the patient's own mental health diagnosis and previous treatment and also information about their drug and alcohol use. If you can, it's important to obtain the family history to determine the risk of certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder. It is useful to utilize screens that gather all of the psychiatric records for a lifetime on informants and their first-degree relatives, but it is equally essential to collect an entire family psychiatric history.
Signs and symptoms
During the psychiatric evaluation the doctor will ask you about symptoms and how they impact your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history, as well as any other issues that might be relevant. The process can be uncomfortable at times, but it is vital that you speak truthfully and fully to ensure that a correct diagnosis can be made.
If you're suffering from mental health problems like depression or anxiety it is essential to get a psychiatric evaluation to determine if you need treatment. While it is normal to be afflicted with low mood or stress occasionally however, if these symptoms last longer than a few weeks and affect your daily activities it is likely you require treatment.
Your doctor will inquire about your symptoms as well as any other issues affecting you, such as family or work-related issues or abuse of substances. They will also ask about your physical health, sleep habits and if you have tried other methods to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist could also ask you about your experiences with mental illness. They can also use standard assessment tools, or psychological tests, to get a better understanding of your current situation. These tests could include questionnaires, personality tests or read more cognitive tests that measure your level of distress.
If your psychiatric assessment finds that you suffer from psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations or delusions that are quite different from what is thought to be real, the psychiatrist might need to conduct a thorough examination and send you to the hospital to be observed. You will be required 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 support and care you need. The team of caring and experienced professionals is committed to giving you the information you require about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can book a psychiatric examination via the internet or by calling today.
Psychological Tests
The use of a variety of tests is an essential part of a psycho-psychological evaluation. Psychological tests are written evaluations or verbal evaluations which measure non-observed elements. They are used to determine the emotional state of a person and personality traits. They can be used to determine a person's mental health condition's severity, like depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually conducted by a psychologist who is trained and requires the patient to adhere to specific instructions in order to get precise results.
Psychological assessments can differ in regards to the number and types of psychological tests that are used, depending on the symptoms of an individual. A general psychiatric test could be short, like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more detailed and time-consuming, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests that are in-depth can be used to determine the presence of brain injuries, concussions, or other neurological conditions.
All kinds of psychiatric tests offer a glimpse of the patient's emotional and psychological functioning. They are conducted by doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists in the hospital setting to determine a person's current mood, emotional reactivity, and cognitive capabilities. They are also conducted by private therapists in their offices to gather information to develop a treatment plan and to determine if a patient could benefit from medication or other types of therapy.
Intelligence and Achievement Tests are examples of psychological evaluations. These tests test cognitive functioning (often referred as IQ) in contrast to a normative group. Other tests are designed to evaluate the ability to perform tasks, such as a word association test or a memory test. Psychologists are the only professionals who have extensive education as well as experience conducting and interpreting psychological tests.
The goal of a psychiatric exam is to connect the patient with a medical professional who can offer treatment and management. The doctor will explain the diagnosis to the patient and how it relates with the symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis. This is how a particular diagnosis is expected to change over time.