General Psychiatric Assessment
The difficulties of conducting mental health assessments in general medical settings are many. There are many issues to be faced such as privacy issues and ward rounds, evaluations by other specialists, protected mealtimes and scheduled family visits.
In this context, it can be difficult to determine the impact of outcomes, especially when it comes to disease-specific outcomes.
Medical Histories
The first step in a comprehensive psychiatric examination is to understand the patient's medical history. This will include information regarding the patient's present condition as well as any medications they are taking and any major past medical issues that may affect their current health and well-being. This information can also help the professional decide which psychological tests are appropriate and how many appointments will be necessary prior to making a diagnose.
This process is often difficult to complete on medical wards because of the limited space available and interruptions from ward rounds, assessments by other specialties and allied health specialists, protected mealtimes and planned visits. It is worth trying to find a time that does not clash with any of these activities, and find a quiet space for the examination to be conducted. It is also helpful to inquire from the referrer what their particular concerns are to identify precisely what type of psychiatric assessment is required.
When performing psychiatric assessments on the medical wards in general hospitals, it is important to be aware that the physical health issues the patient is suffering from can influence or even overshadow their psychiatric symptoms and behavior. Diagnostic overshadowing is a very common issue and is very difficult to avoid. For example the case where an individual has been admitted to hospital for delirium and has a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical records then it is tempting to "shadow" the delirium as if it is due to their existing mental illness instead of conduct a complete screening for delirium to rule out causes that are treatable such as 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 mental issues, and also to identify any concerns or complaints the patient might have regarding their treatment, care or manner in which their health condition is being managed. Reference Osborn & Warner (1998) suggests a basic model for achieving this. However, it can be difficult to implement in practice.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask about your family history to see whether there are any mental health issues in your family. They will also ask about any past traumas or experienced, as well as your current social status (including your relationships, work and whether you have assistance from your home). You may be asked about your religious beliefs, your dreams and ambitions. The psychiatrist will provide an assessment, and then develop a treatment program that suits your requirements.
Physical symptoms are equally important and it is vital that the psychiatrist examine these too. They will check their blood pressure, listen to and feel the heart and lungs and also examine for any other medical conditions that may cause the psychiatric symptoms.
It is often helpful for the psychiatrist to obtain an entire physical exam from the general practitioner but this isn't always possible particularly for those who are extremely sick and inpatients on psychiatric wards. Patients on these wards might have only sporadic face-toface contact with psychiatrists or none at all. In such cases it is essential that psychiatric nurses and care coordinators play an active part in ensuring these patients' physical health issues are met.
Psychiatrists should also be able to understand the reason why the patient was referred to them and what they are hoping to achieve through their psychiatric evaluation. They need to be capable of interpreting medical reports and investigate reports of tests received from a GP or other health professional. They must be able to communicate effectively with the medical team of the patient about the tests completed so that any treatment or medication can be coordinated.
The medical history is an important element of any psychiatric examination. It should contain information about the diagnosis of the patient's psychiatric illness as well as past treatment, as well as drug and alcohol usage. It is also crucial to gather a thorough family history, if possible, in order to establish the risk of certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder, which is known to run in families. Brief screens to collect lifetime information about psychiatric conditions on informants as well as first-degree relatives are helpful but there is value in obtaining a full family history of psychiatric issues as well.
Signs and symptoms
During the psychiatric evaluation, your doctor may ask you about symptoms and how they affect your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history and any other issues that may be relevant. The interview may be uncomfortable at times, but it is important to answer honestly and fully to ensure that a correct diagnosis can be given.
It is essential to undergo an evaluation of your psychiatric condition in case you suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. This will help determine if you need treatment. While it is normal to have periods of low mood or stress from time to time but if the symptoms last for more than two weeks and interfere with your daily life, it is likely that you require treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms, your psychiatrist will also ask about any other issues that might be affecting your health, such as family and work problems or addiction issues. They will also inquire about your physical health, your sleeping habits and whether or not you have tried any other strategies to help with your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist could also ask you about your past experiences of mental illness. They could also employ assessments that are standardised such as psychological tests to get a better understanding of your situation. These tests could include personality tests, questionnaires or cognitive tests to measure the level psychiatrist assessment online of stress you are experiencing.
If your psychiatric evaluation indicates that you are suffering from psychotic symptoms, like hallucinations and delusions which are quite different from what is believed to be real, then the psychiatrist might need to conduct a thorough examination and then admit you to the hospital to be observed. In such cases you'll need be examined by a different psychiatrist before you can return home.
If you're in need of an evaluation for psychiatric disorders, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the care and support you need. The team of skilled and caring professionals are dedicated to ensuring that you have the necessary information regarding your diagnosis and treatment options. You can book a psychiatric examination via the internet or by calling today.
Psychological Tests
The use of different tests is an important part of a psycho-psychological assessment. Psychological tests are either written or verbal assessments designed to measure non-observed aspects. They are commonly used to assess a person's personality traits and emotional functioning. They can be used to identify a mental health condition's severity, like depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually conducted by a trained psychologist and requires the patient to follow certain instructions in order to get precise results.
The psychiatric assessment may differ in the amount and types of psychological tests that are administered, based on an individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric test could be short, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more detailed and time-consuming, like a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests can be used to determine if a patient has a brain injury or concussion.
All types of psychiatric assessments provide a snapshot into the patient's emotional and psychological functioning. In hospitals doctors, psychologists, and sometimes psychiatrists conduct these evaluations to assess a patient's mood emotional reactivity, cognitive capabilities. Private therapists may also conduct these tests in their offices to gather data for an appropriate treatment plan, and to determine if patients would benefit from medication or a different type of therapy.
A few examples of psychological assessments include tests of intelligence and achievement that measure various types of cognitive functioning (often called IQ) and performance in comparison to a normed group. Other tests are designed to evaluate the ability to perform a task, such as memory tests or the test of word association. Psychologists are the only professionals with extensive training and expertise to administer and interpret psychological tests.
A psychiatric evaluation is designed to connect the patient with a medical professional who can offer treatment and treatment. When the examination is completed the doctor will inform the patient of the diagnosis and how it is related to their presenting symptoms. The doctor will also talk about the prognosis, which means how a particular diagnosis is expected to change in the future.