"Ask Me Anything:10 Answers To Your Questions About General Psychiatric Assessment
"Ask Me Anything:10 Answers To Your Questions About General Psychiatric Assessment
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General Psychiatric Assessment
There are numerous challenges in completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. This includes privacy issues assessment, ward rounds, and visits by other specialties, secure meal times and planned visits from family members.
It is also difficult to determine the outcome in this setting, with particular challenges for specific outcomes related to disease as well as patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical History
The first step in a general psychiatric evaluation is to determine the patient's medical history. This includes details of their current condition and any medications they're taking, as well as any previous medical issues that could have affected their current health and wellbeing. This information can help the professional decide what psychological tests might be appropriate and the number of appointments they will require before determining a diagnosis.
This step is often difficult to complete on medical wards due the limited space available and interruptions during the ward's rounds, examinations by other specialties and allied health specialists, protected mealtimes and planned visits. It is important to find an area with enough privacy to conduct the assessment and then schedule an appointment that doesn't interfere with any of these activities. It is also beneficial to ask the person who refers you what their particular concerns are so that you can identify precisely what type of psychiatric assessment is required.
When carrying out psychiatric assessments on medical wards of general hospitals, it is crucial to remember that the physical health issues a patient presents with can affect or even obscure their psychiatric symptoms and behavior. Diagnostic overshadowing is a very common issue and is very difficult to avoid. For example the case where a patient has been admitted for a delirium and they have a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia in their medical record it can be tempting to "shadow" the delirium as if that it is caused by an mental illness, rather than conduct a complete screening for delirium to rule out treatment-able causes such as stroke.
It is essential that the psychiatrist taking a look at the patient is trying to establish the connection between the patient's physical and mental issues, and also to identify any complaints or concerns the patient has about their treatment, care or the way their health condition is being treated. The basic model suggested in the reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy way to accomplish this, but it could be difficult to implement this in practice.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask about your family history to see if there are any mental health problems within your family. They'll also want know about any traumas or abuse you've had and your current social circumstances (including relationships, work and whether you have a support system at home). You may be asked about your religion and your dreams and goals. The psychiatrist will then formulate a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan to meet your requirements.
The psychiatrist should also check physical symptoms. They will examine the patient's blood pressure and listen to the heart and lungs and search for any other medical conditions which could be causing or exacerbating the symptoms of psychiatric illness.
It is usually beneficial for a psychiatrist to get an entire physical exam from the general practitioner of the patient but it's not always possible especially for patients who are seriously ill or inpatients on psychiatric hospitals. Patients on these wards might have only sporadic face-toface contact with psychiatrists or none at all. In these cases it is essential that the psychiatrist's nursing staff or care coordinators play an active role in ensuring that the physical health needs of patients are met.
Psychiatrists must also be able to understand the reason why the patient was referred to them and what they are hoping to gain from their psychiatric assessment. They must be able to interpret medical letters and review the results of tests provided by a GP or other health professional. They must be able to communicate effectively with the medical team that is treating the patient to determine what investigations have been completed so that any medications or other treatments can be coordinated.
The medical history is a key aspect of any psychiatric examination, and this must include the patient's diagnosis of psychiatric illness and treatment history, as well as details about their alcohol and drug usage. It is also important to gather a thorough family history, if possible to determine the risk of certain disorders, like bipolar disorder, which is known to be inherited by families. It is helpful to utilize screens that record lifetime psychiatric data on informants and their first-degree relatives, but it is also essential to collect an entire family psychiatric history.
Symptoms
During the psychiatric examination your doctor will inquire with you about your symptoms and how they have impacted your life. Your psychiatrist will ask you about any relevant issues, such as your family history. The interview may be uncomfortable at times, but it's vital that you speak truthfully and completely so that an accurate diagnosis can be given.
It is essential to undergo an evaluation of your psychiatric condition if you suffer from mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety. This will determine if you need treatment. It is normal to have periods of depression and stress, but should they last for more than one psych patient assessment or two days or interfere with your daily life, then you may require treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms, your psychiatrist will also ask about any other issues that might be impacting your health, such as problems at work or with your family, or abuse of substances. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleep habits and if you have tried other methods to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist will also ask you questions about your previous experiences with mental illness, and they may use standardized assessment tools or psychological tests to gain understanding of your situation. These tests can include questionnaires, personality assessments or cognitive tests to determine the level of stress you are experiencing.
If your psychiatric examination indicates that you are suffering from psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions which are quite different from what is believed to be real, then the psychiatrist might have to conduct an extensive exam and admit you to the hospital to be observed. In these instances you'll need be re-evaluated by another psychiatrist before you can return home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the support and care you require. The team of skilled and knowledgeable professionals are committed to providing you with the information you need about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can schedule your psychiatric exam on the internet or by calling us now.
Psychological Tests
The use of various tests is a crucial aspect of a psycho-psychological evaluation. Psychological tests are written assessments or verbal evaluations which measure unobserved constructs. They are used to assess the emotional state of a person and personality characteristics. They can also be used to determine the severity of a certain mental illness, like depression or anxiety. Psychological testing is usually conducted by an experienced psychologist who has been trained. The patient must follow specific instructions to obtain accurate results.
Psychiatric assessment can vary in the amount and types of psychological tests that are 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, such as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological testing can be used to determine if there's a concussion or brain injury.
All types of psychiatric evaluations can provide a picture of the patient's psychological and emotional functioning. They are conducted by doctors, psychologists, and sometimes psychiatrists in hospitals to assess a person's current mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive capabilities. They are also conducted by private therapists in their offices to collect information to develop a treatment plan and to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or other forms of therapy.
Some examples of psychological evaluations include tests for intelligence and achievement, which measure certain kinds of cognitive functioning (often referred to as IQ) and performance against a normative group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability to perform tasks, for example, a word association or memory test. Psychologists are the only experts with extensive training and expertise to conduct and interpret psychological tests.
A psychiatric exam is designed to match 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 speak about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis will expected to progress in time.