7 Small Changes That Will Make The Biggest Difference In Your General Psychiatric Assessment
General Psychiatric AssessmentThe difficulties associated with conducting mental health assessments in general medical settings are numerous. There are many challenges, including privacy issues, ward rounds, assessments by other specialists, secure meals, and planned family visits.
It is also difficult to determine the outcome in this setting, with specific challenges for disease-specific outcomes and 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 information about the patient's current health as well as any medications they are taking and any major past medical problems that could have impacted their health and well-being. This information can aid the doctor in determining what psychological tests are appropriate and how many appointments will be necessary prior to making diagnosis.
This process can be difficult to complete in medical wards due to the small space and interruptions caused by the ward's rounds, examinations from other specialties or allied health professionals as well as meals that are protected. It is worthwhile to find a time that doesn't clash with any of these activities and locate a quiet place for the examination to take place. The referrer's specific concerns will help determine which psychiatric evaluation is needed.
When carrying out psychiatric assessments on the medical wards in general hospitals, it is important to be aware that the physical health problems the patient is suffering from can influence or even overshadow their psychiatric symptoms and behavior. This is a common problem that is referred to as diagnostic overshadowing and is very difficult to avoid. For example when the patient was admitted to hospital for delirium and has a pre-existing diagnosis of dementia on their medical record it can be tempting to "shadow" the delirium by assuming it is caused by their existing mental illness rather than perform a full screening for delirium to rule out treatable causes like stroke.
It is crucial that the psychiatrist assessing the patient attempts to establish a connection between the physical and psychiatric concerns of the patient and to solicit complaints or concerns from the patient regarding their treatment, care or how their health condition is handled. The basic model that is suggested in Reference Osborn and Warner (1998) is an easy way to accomplish this, but it can be a challenge to implement this in practice.
Family History
The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to see if there are any mental health issues within your family. They'll also want know about any incidents of abuse or trauma you've experienced and your current social circumstances (including work, relationships and if you have support at home). You could be asked about your religious beliefs and your dreams and goals. The psychiatrist will make an assessment, and then create a treatment plan that suits your requirements.
Physical symptoms are also important and it is vital that the psychiatrist evaluate these as well. They will test the patient's blood pressure, listen to the lungs and heart and examine for any other medical issues that could be causing or aggravating the psychiatric symptoms.
It is often helpful for the psychiatrist to obtain a full physical from the general practitioner of the patient however, this isn't always possible especially for patients who are seriously ill or inpatients on psychiatric hospitals. They may have very little or no face-to-face interactions with psychiatrists. In these cases it is essential that the psychiatrist's nurses or care coordinators play an active role in ensuring that the physical health needs of patients are satisfied.
Psychiatrists should also to understand why a patient has been referred and what they hope to accomplish with their psychiatric examination. They must be able interpret medical letters, examine the results of tests and communicate effectively with a patient's medical team to manage any medication or treatment.
The medical history is an essential component of any psychiatric assessment. It should include details about the diagnosis of the patient's psychiatric illness, past treatment and drinking and drug use. It is also important to gather a thorough family history, if it is possible to determine the risk of certain disorders, like bipolar disorder, which is known to run in families. Screens to collect life-long information about psychiatric conditions on informants as well as first-degree relatives are helpful but there is merit in having a complete independent psychiatric assessment family history of psychiatric issues in addition.
Symptoms
In the course of a psychiatric evaluation the doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they have affected your life. Your doctor will also inquire about your family history and any other issues that could be relevant. It may be uncomfortable at times, but it is important to provide a complete and honest answer to ensure a precise diagnosis.
It is important to have a psychiatric assessment in case you suffer from mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. This will tell you if you need treatment. While it is normal to have periods of depression or stress occasionally however, 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 as well as any other issues impacting you, like family or work-related issues, or substance abuse. They will also inquire about your physical health, sleep habits, and if you've tried other ways to help your symptoms.
Your psychiatrist may also ask you about your previous experiences with mental illness. They can also use standardized assessment tools such as psychological tests to help you understand your situation. These tests may include questionnaires, personality assessments or cognitive tests that assess the level of stress you are experiencing.
If the psychiatric evaluation shows that you are experiencing psychotic symptoms, which are caused by hallucinations, delusions or hallucinations that are a significant departure from consensual reality, the psychiatrist will need to conduct a more thorough examination and may be required to admit you to hospital to be observed. In these cases you'll need to be examined by a different psychiatrist before returning home.
Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates will provide you with the support and care you need. The team of knowledgeable and knowledgeable professionals are committed to ensuring that you have the information you need about your diagnosis and treatment options. You can book your psychiatric examination via the internet or call us today.
Psychological Tests
An essential part of a psychological assessment involves the use of a variety of tests. Psychological tests are either written or verbal assessments that are designed to test unobserved aspects. They are used to evaluate the person's emotional health and personality traits. They can be used to identify a mental illness' severity, like anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is usually conducted by a psychologist who has been trained. The patient must follow certain instructions for accurate 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 evaluation could be brief, like the Mini-Mental State Examination, or in-depth and lengthy, like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological testing can be used to determine if there's an injury to the brain or concussion.
All types of psychiatric evaluations help provide a snapshot of the patient's overall psychological and emotional functioning. They are carried out by psychologists, doctors and psychiatrists in the hospital setting to determine a person's current mood, emotional reactivity and cognitive abilities. Private therapists can also conduct these tests in their offices to gather information for the development of a treatment plan and to determine whether patients would benefit from medication or a different method of therapy.
A few examples of psychological assessments include tests for intelligence and achievement which test certain types of cognitive functioning (often referred to as IQ) and performance against a normative group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability to perform an activity, such as memory tests or a word association test. Psychologists are the only professionals with extensive training and experience in the administration and interpretation of psychological tests.
A psychiatric exam is designed to connect the patient with a doctor that can provide treatment and treatment. After the exam is complete the doctor will inform the patient of the diagnosis and how it is related to their presenting symptoms. The doctor will also discuss the prognosis, which means the way in which a specific diagnosis is likely to develop over time.