Ten Things You Need To Be Aware Of General Psychiatric Assessment
Ten Things You Need To Be Aware Of General Psychiatric Assessment
Blog Article
General Psychiatric Assessment
There are a variety of challenges when completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. They include privacy concerns, ward rounds and assessments by other specialties, protected meal times and planned visits from family members.
In this regard it can be challenging to determine the impact of outcomes, especially when it comes to outcomes that are specific to a disease.
Medical History
The first step in a general psychiatric evaluation is to determine the patient's medical history. This will include information about the patient's current health, any medications they are taking and any major past medical conditions that may have impacted their health and well-being. This information will also aid the doctor in determining which psychological tests are appropriate and how many appointments they will need to make before making a diagnosis.
This step is often difficult to complete on medical wards due the limited space available and interruptions from the ward's rounds, examinations by other specialties and health experts, protected mealtimes, and scheduled visitors. It is important to find an area that is quiet to conduct the examination and to schedule an appointment that doesn't conflict with any of these activities. It is also beneficial to ask the referrer what their specific concerns are to determine exactly what kind of psychiatric evaluation is required.
When carrying out psychiatric assessments on medical wards of general hospitals, it is crucial to remember that the physical health issues that a patient presents with can affect or even obscure their psychiatric signs and behaviors. Overshadowing of diagnostics is a common issue and is very difficult to avoid. For example the case where the patient was admitted for a delirium and they have a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical record it can be tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium by assuming it is due to their existing mental illness instead of perform a full delirium screen 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 relationship between the patient's physical and psychiatric issues and to inquire about any concerns or complaints the patient might have regarding their treatment, care or way their health condition is being managed. Reference Osborn & Warner (1998) suggests a basic model for achieving this. However, it could be difficult to implement in the real world.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to see whether there are any mental health problems within your family. They'll also inquire about any traumas you've experienced or abused, as well as your current social status (including your work, relationships and if you receive support from home). You may be asked questions about your religious beliefs and about your ambitions and hopes. The psychiatrist will make an assessment and develop a treatment program that suits your requirements.
Physical symptoms are also important and it is vital that the psychiatrist evaluate these too. They will test the patient's blood pressure and listen to the lungs and heart and search for any other medical issues which could be causing or aggravate the psychiatric symptoms.
It is usually beneficial for the psychiatrist to obtain a full physical from the patient's general practitioner, but this isn't always possible especially for patients who are very ill and those who are inpatients on psychiatric wards. The patients on these wards may only have very infrequent face-to-face contact with psychiatrists, or none at all. In these cases it is essential that the psychiatrist's staff or care coordinators take an active role in ensuring that the physical health needs of patients are fulfilled.
Psychiatrists should also be able understand why a person is being evaluated and what they expect to accomplish with their psychiatric assessment. They need to be competent in interpreting medical letters and review reports of tests received from the GP or another health professional, and they must communicate effectively with the person's medical team about the investigations conducted so that any treatment or medication can be coordinated.
The medical history is an essential aspect of any psychiatric examination and must include the patient's own mental health diagnosis and previous treatment and information regarding their alcohol and drug use. If it is possible, it is important to obtain the family history to determine the risk of developing certain disorders, such as bipolar disorder. It is helpful to use brief screens that gather all of the psychiatric records for a lifetime on informants and their first-degree family members, but it is also crucial to have a complete family psychiatric record.
Signs and symptoms
In the course of a psychiatric assessment the doctor will inquire about your symptoms and how they affect your life. Your psychiatrist will inquire about any relevant issues including your family history. It can feel intrusive at times, but it is important to answer honestly and completely to ensure a precise diagnosis.
If you're suffering from mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety, it is important to seek a psychiatric examination to determine whether or not you need treatment. While it is normal to experience periods of stress or low mood from time to time, if these symptoms last longer than several weeks and impact your daily functioning It is likely that you need treatment.
Your psychiatrist will inquire about your symptoms and any other issues that are affecting you, such as family or work issues or addiction issues. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleeping habits, and if you've tried other methods to treat your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist might also ask you about your previous experiences with mental illness. They could also employ assessments that are standardised such as psychological tests to get a better understanding of your current situation. These tests could include personality tests, questionnaires or cognitive tests to gauge your level of distress.
If your psychiatric evaluation shows that you have psychotic symptoms, such as hallucinations or delusions that differ significantly from what is thought to be real, then the psychiatrist might need to conduct a thorough examination and admit you to the hospital for observation. In these cases you'll need be examined by a different psychiatrist before returning home.
If you're seeking a psychiatric evaluation, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide the support and care you need. The team of caring and experienced professionals is committed to providing you with the information you need about your diagnosis and possible treatment options. You can book your psychiatric examination online or by phone today.
Psychological tests
A significant aspect of a psychological examination is the use of different tests. Psychological tests are written evaluations or verbal evaluations that assess non-observed elements. They are often used to evaluate the traits of a person's personality and emotional functioning. They can also be used to determine the severity of a particular mental illness, for example, anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically conducted by a qualified psychologist and requires the patient to follow specific instructions in order to get precise results.
The psychiatric assessment may differ in the amount and type psychological tests used, depending on the symptoms of an individual. A general psychiatric evaluation could be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or in-depth and lengthy, like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. A thorough neuropsychological test can be used to determine the presence of brain injuries, concussions, or other neurological conditions.
All kinds of psychiatric assessments can provide a picture of the patient's overall psychological and emotional state. In hospitals, doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists sometimes conduct psychiatric diagnostic assessment these tests to evaluate the patient's mood and emotional reactivity as well as cognitive capabilities. They are also performed by private therapists in their offices to gather information for a treatment plan as well as to determine if a patient may 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 referred to as IQ) and performance against a normative group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability to complete a task, such as memory tests or an assessment of word association. Psychologists are the only experts who have the training and experience to administer and interpret psychological tests.
The purpose of a psychiatric assessment is to match the patient with a doctor who can provide treatment and management. When the examination is completed, the doctor will inform the patient of the diagnosis and how it relates to their present symptoms. The doctor will also inform the patient about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis can be likely to develop in time.