What is a Psychiatric Assessment?
A psychiatric examination is performed by licensed mental health professionals. It is essential that they have all the necessary information so that they can help you.
They may ask about your family or personal information, order tests in the lab, evaluate you by observation and interview, and conduct psychotherapy sessions. They can also prescribe medicine.
Evaluation
It is normal to go through difficult times. However, if these issues begin to affect your daily activities and take away the pleasure of living it could be the right time to seek professional assistance. The first step in getting the treatment you require is a psychiatric assessment.
In this phase, a psychiatrist will ask a lot of questions and perform an examination. This is crucial since there are occasions when a person has a medical problem like a thyroid or neurological disorder that could cause symptoms that resemble mental illness. A physical examination can identify the root of the problem so the psychiatrist can pinpoint the root of the issue.
The patient will be asked to describe their symptoms in detail, including how they impact their daily activities. The doctor will inquire about your family history and other aspects of personal life including your relationships, occupation and sources of stress. Additionally, the psychiatrist will want to know if you've been a victim of or witness to any major traumatizing events in your life.
Psychological tests are also frequently employed in the assessment process to provide objective data about specific mental health conditions. These tests can include questionnaires that ask you to rate your feelings or behaviors as well as other tests that test how well you can concentrate, recall names and items or solve math problems.
Another aspect of the evaluation that should be carefully noted is how much the patient talks during the interview. The amount of speech, as well as the quality of the speech (fluency and tone) can reveal clues about the patient's mental state. For instance those who don't talk much could be anxious or depressed. On the other hand, someone who talks frequently could be anxious or manic.
The psychiatric examiner will spend an hour or so with children in the early years to build trust and comfort. The time spent with the child could be as simple as explaining to the child why they are present and easing any anxieties. For instance, a school-age girl may initially be nervous about having shots in their arm, but when the psychologist got her involved in her Barbie coloring book, she began to become more open.
Diagnosis
After conducting a thorough interview with the patient, a psychiatrist can determine the kind of disorder a person has and offer recommendations for treatment. Often, this will include psychotropic medications, however other techniques such as neuroimaging and EEG may also be used. The doctor will review the medical history of a patient and request tests to determine if there is a physical cause for their symptoms.
During the interview, the psychiatrist will ask about the relationship between the patient and their work environment and their family history of mental illness, any traumas they have endured, and any drug abuse issues they might have. The psychiatrist will also ask about the patient's symptoms and how these affect their daily life. The psychiatrist will also talk about the patterns of sleep, appetite and energy levels.
The psychiatrist also listens to the patient's voice to evaluate its content. The level of verbalization speed, fluency and rate as along with the tone and quality of the voice are all important to note. The therapist will listen for suicidal, homicidal and delusional thoughts, as well as hallucinations and illusions.
Certain psychiatric disorders have a physical cause, so the doctor will look for kidney and thyroid issues that may be causing symptoms. The doctor will also do an extensive physical exam and run labs to check for blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure since they can all influence mood and behavior.
It is crucial to be honest when answering questions during a psychiatric evaluation. In the absence of honesty, it could lead to a wrong diagnosis and uneffective treatments. If a person does not seek help for mental illness, they could suffer from it for a long time and ruin their lives in the process.
Don't let the stigma prevent you from seeking help. Besides the obvious physical damage mental illness can destroy your relationships with those you cherish and take the joy you have from your daily activities. Mental illnesses are more common than most people realize. One of five Americans suffers from a mental illness that is severe enough to alter their daily lives.
Treatment
The psychiatric examinations can be uncomfortable and intrusive, however they are an essential part of receiving the treatment you need. You must answer all questions accurately so that your psychiatrist can make a precise diagnosis. Your information is private and will be used only to help you get better. Bring a family member or friend along in case you are having difficulty talking about the symptoms. They can assist you in identifying what you are feeling and be a supportive listener.
In the course of a psychiatric assessment the doctor will ask you about any medical issues or traumas you might have suffered from like childhood trauma. They'll also want to know if you have any habits or addictions that could be affecting your ability to deal with your mental health issue.
Your doctor will also be interested in how your symptoms are affecting your relationships and daily routine. They will be able identify any changes in your mood, behavior or sleep patterns and discuss whether they are getting better or worse. They will be able to make an educated guess about the possible diagnosis and recommend the best treatment for you.
Your psychiatric nursing staff will employ the psychiatric mental Status Examination (MSE) when you are experiencing an emergency. It is a method for explaining the mental state of a client. It covers the appearance, attitude, and behavior including speech and affect as well as thought and content sensorium and perception, insight, and judgment.
Your psychiatric nurse will discuss the options for treatment with you once all the information has been gathered. She will then create an initial treatment plan. This could include a mix of psychotherapy, medication and other forms of behavioral therapy, depending on the kind of treatment they believe to be most efficient.
Your psychiatric nurse must spend the time to go through the entire procedure with you, explaining everything that they are doing and the reasons behind it. They will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and will take into consideration your views when deciding on the most effective treatment for you.
Follow-up
A client presenting with a psychiatric disorder needs an extensive evaluation which includes a thorough medical history, mental status exam and physical exam. The underlying cause of the disorder must be identified. For urgent psychiatric assessment , determining the difference between delirium and dementia can be crucial for the diagnosis, intervention and disposition of the patient.
It is also important to evaluate the level of insight of the patient. The literature on insight is extensive, but most studies have been focused on seriously ill patients. A standard test, such as the Insight Treatment Attitude Questionnaire (ITAQ), can assist clinicians in assessing the patient's understanding of their illness and reasons for treatment. Insight is a reliable predictor of readiness to discharge or ability to adhere to the treatment regimen.
Psychiatric symptoms are sometimes difficult to discuss and could cause feelings of shame, embarrassment or despair among patients. Different interview methods can be employed to help patients discuss these sensitive issues. The test should not just determine the extent to which the client is able to adhere to treatment for psychiatric disorders but also determine any obstacles to adhering.
Once the psychiatric examination is complete, a psychiatric treatment plan should be created. The plan should be recorded in the patient's record. The plan may comprise outpatient psychiatric services or psychotherapy, or a combination. The client should be able to access all psychotherapeutic services which are listed in the treatment plan. This could be on-site or through linkage(s).
In some cases, the mental health assessment can identify the root of a patient's psychiatric condition. For example, a mood disorder may be the result of an acute medical condition such as hypothyroidism, or a substance use disorder that has been made worse by stressors in the life. In these situations the root cause must be addressed before the psychiatric symptoms will abate.
Clients who need a psychiatric assessment should be able to talk with a psychiatrist who can perform the evaluation and provide treatment recommendations. This could be done via consultation with the primary care provider of the patient or a psychiatrist in the community. The psychiatric service should be able to record all interactions with the client including evaluations, medication management and counseling sessions.