General Psychiatric Assessment
The challenges of carrying out mental health assessments in general medical settings are many. There are numerous challenges such as privacy issues, ward rounds, assessments by other specialists, secure mealtimes, and scheduled family visits.
It is also difficult to measure outcome in this setting, with particular difficulties for outcomes specific to diseases and patient and referrer satisfaction ratings.
Medical Histories
The first step in a comprehensive psychiatric examination is to determine the patient's medical background. This will include information regarding the patient's current condition, any medications they are taking, as well as any significant previous medical conditions that may affect their current health and well-being. This information can help the physician determine which psychological tests are appropriate and how many appointments may be required before determining an assessment.
This is often a challenge to complete on medical wards due the limited space available and interruptions during the ward's rounds, examinations by other specialties and health experts, protected mealtimes, and planned visitors. It is crucial to find an area that is quiet to conduct the assessment and to schedule an appointment that doesn't conflict with any of these activities. It is also useful to inquire from the referrer what their specific concerns are so that you can determine precisely what type of psychiatric assessment is required.
It is crucial to keep in mind that physical health issues can affect or even overshadow symptoms of psychiatric illness. This is a problem that is known as diagnostic overshadowing and can be very difficult to avoid. If a patient is admitted with delirium but has an indication of dementia in their medical records, it could be tempting to 'overshadow the delirium' by assuming that it is due to their existing mental illness. This is rather than carrying out a full screen for delirium to rule out treatable reasons such as stroke.
It is crucial that the psychiatrist who is assessing the patient tries to establish a link between the physical and psychiatric concerns of the patient as well as to get complaints or concerns from the patient regarding their treatment, their treatment or how their condition is managed. Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) recommends the most basic approach to accomplishing this. However, it could be difficult to implement in practice.
Family History
The psychiatrist will ask about your family history to determine if there are any mental health issues in your family. They'll also inquire about any past traumas or experienced, as well as your current social status (including your relationships, work and if you receive the support of your family). You might be asked questions about your beliefs regarding religion as well as about your goals and goals. The psychiatrist will then make a diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan to suit your needs.
Physical symptoms are equally important and it is vital that the psychiatrist checks these as well. They will examine their blood pressure, listen to and feel the lungs and the heart and look for other medical conditions that may be causing the psychiatric sign.
It is important for psychiatrists to receive an exhaustive physical from the doctor who is treating the patient However, this might not always be feasible, particularly for those who are sick or inpatients at psychiatric units. Patients on these wards might only have sporadic face-to-face contact with psychiatrists, or perhaps none at all. In such instances, it is crucial that psychiatric nurses and care coordinators take an active role in ensuring that these patients' physical health issues are taken care of.
Psychiatrists also need to understand the reason why the patient was referred to them and what they are hoping to accomplish through their psychiatric evaluation. They should be able to interpret medical letters, investigate the results of tests and communicate effectively with a person's medical team to coordinate any medication or treatment.
The medical history is a key aspect of any psychiatric examination and should include the patient's own diagnosis of psychiatric illness and treatment history and information regarding their drug and alcohol use. It is also important to obtain a complete family history, if it is possible, in order to establish the risk of certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder, which is known to run in families. Screens to collect life-long psychopathological information from informants and first-degree relatives can be helpful but there is the benefit of obtaining a complete family history of psychiatric disorders as well.
Signs and symptoms
During the psychiatric examination your doctor will inquire with you about your symptoms and how they've affected your life. Your psychiatrist will also ask you about your family history and any other issues that may be relevant. It may be uncomfortable at times, but you must answer honestly and completely to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
If you are suffering from mental health issues like anxiety or depression it is essential to undergo a psychiatric assessment to determine if you require treatment. It is normal to experience periods of depression and stress but if they last more than several days or impact your daily activities, then you may need treatment.
In addition to discussing your symptoms, your psychiatrist will also inquire about any other issues that might be impacting you, including family and work problems or abuse of substances. They will also ask about your physical health, sleep habits, and if you've tried other approaches to manage your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also inquire about your experiences with mental illness. They can also use standard assessment tools such as psychological tests to help you understand your current situation. These tests can include personality assessments, questionnaires or cognitive tests that measure your level of distress.
If your psychiatric evaluation finds that you suffer from psychotic symptoms, for example hallucinations and delusions that are a significant departure from what is considered to be real, the psychiatrist may need to perform an in-depth exam and admit you to the hospital to be observed. You will need to be evaluated again by a psychiatrist before being allowed to return home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the assistance and care you need. The team of experienced and caring professionals are dedicated to providing you with the necessary information regarding your diagnosis and treatment options. You can book your psychiatric examination online or by phone today.
Psychological Tests
An essential part of a psychological examination is the use of different tests. Psychological tests are either written or verbal assessments designed to measure non-observed constructs. They are used to determine the person's emotional health and personality traits. They can be used to identify a mental health condition's severity, such as anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically done by psychologists who have been trained. The patient must follow certain instructions for accurate results.
Psychological assessments can differ in the amount and type of psychological tests they utilize dependent on the person and their symptoms. A general psychiatric examination can be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or in-depth and lengthy, like a Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests can be used to determine if a patient has a concussion or brain injury.
All kinds of psychiatric assessments can provide a picture of the patient's overall emotional and psychological functioning. They are conducted by doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists in hospitals to evaluate a person's present mood, emotional reactivity, and cognitive capabilities. They are also conducted by private therapists at their offices to collect information for a treatment plan and to determine if a patient would benefit from medication or other types of therapy.
A few examples of psychological assessments include tests for intelligence and achievement, which measure certain kinds of cognitive functioning (often called IQ) and performance in comparison to a normed group. Other tests are designed for evaluating the ability of a person to perform tasks, for example, a word association test or a memory test. Psychologists are the only professionals with extensive training and experience in administering and interpreting here psychological tests.
The goal of a psychiatric examination is to match the patient with a physician who can provide treatment and treatment. After the exam is complete, the doctor will inform the patient of the diagnosis and the relationship to their presenting symptoms. The doctor will also inform the patient about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis is likely to develop in time.