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General Psychiatric Assessment There are a variety of challenges when completing psychiatric evaluations in general medical settings. These include problems with privacy as well as ward rounds and assessments by other specialties, secure meals and scheduled visits from family members. It is also difficult to determine the outcome in this context, and there are specific challenges for disease-specific outcomes and patient and referrer satisfaction ratings. Medical History The first step in an overall psychiatric assessment is to understand the medical history of the patient. This includes information about the patient's current health and any medications they're taking, as well as any significant previous medical issues that may have impacted their health and well-being. This information will aid the doctor in determining what psychological tests are appropriate and how many visits may be needed before making a diagnose. This process is often difficult to complete on medical wards due to the limited space available and interruptions from the ward's rounds, examinations by other specialties and health experts, protected mealtimes, and planned visits. It is important to find an area that is quiet to conduct the examination and to schedule an appointment that does not interfere with any of these activities. It is also beneficial to ask the referrer what their concerns are, so that you can identify precisely what type of psychiatric evaluation is required. When conducting psychiatric examinations on the medical wards of general hospitals it is important to be aware that the physical health issues that a patient presents with can influence or even mask their psychiatric signs and behaviors. This is a problem that is referred to as diagnostic shadowing and can be very difficult to avoid. For instance when an individual has been admitted to hospital for delirium and they have a prior diagnosis of dementia on their medical records it can be tempting to 'overshadow' the delirium and assume it is due to their existing mental illness rather than conduct a complete screening for delirium to rule out treatable causes such as stroke. It is essential that the psychiatrist assessing the patient is able to establish a relationship between the psychiatric and physical issues of the patient and to get complaints or concerns from the patient regarding their treatment, their treatment or how their condition is managed. Reference Osborn & Warner (1998) suggests a basic model for achieving this. However, it could be difficult to implement in real life. Family History The psychiatrist will inquire about your family history to determine if there is a mental health problem within your family. They will also inquire about any traumas you've experienced or abused, as well as your current social status (including your work, relationships and whether you have the support of your family). You might be asked questions about your beliefs regarding religion and about your ambitions and goals. The psychiatrist will provide an assessment and design a treatment plan that suits your requirements. The psychiatrist should also check physical symptoms. They will check the patient's blood pressure and listen to the lungs and heart and examine for any other medical issues that may be causing or exacerbating the psychiatric symptoms. It is beneficial for a psychiatrist to receive an entire physical examination from the doctor who is treating the patient However, this might not be possible, especially with people who are very sick or inpatients at psychiatric units. The patients on these wards may only have sporadic face-to-face contact with psychiatrists, or none at all. In psychiatric assessments is crucial that psychiatric nursing staff or care coordinators play a proactive role in ensuring the physical health needs of patients are met. Psychiatrists should also be able to understand the reason why the patient has been referred, and what they expect to achieve through their psychiatric evaluation. They need to be competent in interpreting medical letters and examine reports of tests received from an GP or other health professional. They must be able to communicate effectively with the medical team that is treating the patient to determine the investigations carried out so that any medications or other treatments can be coordinated. The medical history is a key element of any psychiatric assessment and must include the patient's own diagnosis of psychiatric illness and treatment history, as well as information about their alcohol and drug use. It is also essential to obtain a complete family history, if possible to determine the risk of certain disorders, like bipolar disorder, which is known to be inherited by families. It is useful to utilize screens that collect lifetime psychiatric data on informants and their first-degree relatives, however, it is equally crucial to have a complete family psychiatric record. Signs and symptoms In the course of a psychiatric evaluation, your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and how they have impacted your life. Your psychiatrist will ask you about any relevant issues like your family history. 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 an assessment for psychiatric disorders in case you suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. This will tell you whether you require treatment. While it is normal to be afflicted with stress or low mood from time to time but if the symptoms last for more than a few weeks and affect your daily functioning, it is likely that you need treatment. In addition to discussing your symptoms Your psychiatrist will also inquire about any other issues that might be affecting your health, such as family and work problems or abuse of substances. They will also ask you about your physical health, your sleeping habits and whether or not you have tried any other strategies to alleviate your symptoms. Your psychiatrist may also inquire about your previous experiences with mental illness. They may also use 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 measure the level of stress you are experiencing. If your psychiatric assessment indicates that you are suffering from psychotic symptoms, for example hallucinations and delusions which are a significant departure from what is thought to be real, then the psychiatrist might have to conduct a thorough examination and send you to the hospital to be observed. You will be required to undergo a second evaluation by an experienced psychiatrist before you are allowed to go home. If you are in need of a psychiatric evaluation, Greater Lowell Psychiatric Associates can provide you with the assistance and care you require. The team of helpful and knowledgeable professionals is dedicated to providing you with the necessary information regarding your diagnosis and treatment options. You can schedule a psychiatric assessment via the internet or by calling today. Psychological tests The use of various tests is an important part of a psycho-psychological evaluation. Psychological tests are written or oral assessments designed to measure non-observed constructs. They are typically used to evaluate the traits of a person's personality and emotional functioning. They can be used to determine a mental health condition's severity, such as anxiety or depression. Psychological testing is typically conducted by an experienced psychologist who has been trained. The patient must follow certain instructions to obtain accurate results. Psychological assessments can differ in terms of the number and type psychological tests employed, based on an individual's symptoms. A general psychiatric assessment may be short, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MSE) or more thorough and time-consuming, such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Neuropsychological tests can be used to determine if there's an injury to the brain or concussion. All types of psychiatric examinations provide a snapshot into the patient's emotional and psychological functioning. In the hospital, doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists sometimes conduct these evaluations to assess the patient's mood and emotional reactivity as well as cognitive capabilities. Private therapists can also conduct them in their offices to collect data for an appropriate treatment plan, and to determine whether patients would benefit from medication or a different method of therapy. Some examples of psychological evaluations include tests for intelligence and achievement which test certain types of cognitive functioning (often referred to as IQ) and performance in comparison to a standard group. Other tests are designed to assess the ability to complete tasks, like memory or word association test. Psychologists are the only experts who have extensive education as well as experience administering and interpreting psychological tests. A psychiatric evaluation is designed to match the patient with a doctor who can offer treatment and management. When the examination is completed the doctor will inform the patient about the diagnosis and the relationship to their present symptoms. The doctor will also speak about the prognosis. This is how a diagnosis is expected progress over time.