A Full Psychiatric Assessment
A psychiatric evaluation is the first step in receiving the proper treatment for your mental health. The psychiatrist will ask a many questions about your home and work life stress triggers, trauma experiences you've had, as well as any alcohol or drug-related issues.
Background and History
A full psychiatric examination, or psycheval, is a multidisciplinary process that takes place in hospital settings. It involves psychiatric nurses, psychologists, occupational therapy and social workers. However, the psychiatrist plays the lead in taking a detailed medical history and carrying out an examination of mental health. The information is gathered by direct observation, the person being assessed and their carers and through specific psychological tests.
The doctor will inquire with the person about their symptoms and what they've been up to in the last few weeks, months and years. They will also ask about your family and personal health. This information will allow the doctor to understand what is the cause of the symptoms, and if they're the result of another condition.
In this phase an psychiatric doctor will inquire about your medical history to determine if there is a family history of anxiety, depression or other mental health disorders. They will also ask if there are any physical problems such as heart disease or diabetes and what medications the person is taking or was prescribed.
Additionally the psychiatrist will make note of present symptoms and how long they have been present. They will also inquire with the person about their lifestyle including their work and home environment. They will also discuss the person's prior treatment and the extent of their adherence to it. Families and carers often provide information that the patient hasn't shared with them. This is done to show respect for confidentiality and does not violate their right to privacy.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, a number of other tests and observations might be required. These could include laboratory tests, blood pressure readings or electroencephalography (EEG), which measures brain activity. They could also use the IQ test, which evaluates cognitive ability. These tests test concentration, spatial abilities memory, memory, and communication abilities.
All psychiatric tests must be conducted by professionals who are skilled and knowledgeable. This will help ensure that the diagnosis is correct and that the person is offered a treatment plan that is best suited to their needs.
Mental Status Examination
The mental state examination (MSE) can be a harrowing experience for both the physician and patient. It is an "snapshot", which is a snapshot of the patient's behavior at the present moment. It is used to document the patient's thoughts, behavior and attitudes at the time. The MSE can also be helpful in describing how a patient's mental state changes in time, ranging from depression to mania.
The MSE begins when the physician makes the first observations of the patient. It is usually taken during the recording of the history. The way a patient interacts and behaves with the examiner can reveal something about the root of the mental disorder. This includes the discolored appearance of a person who is depressed or the flamboyant style of manic patients. It could also be a sign of a lack of motivation or effort, such as in a depressed individual or an anxious person taking antipsychotic medication.
It is recommended to conduct a psychiatric examination when the patient is at ease and cooperative. It can be a difficult and uncomfortable experience for the patient and the examiner and it is important to leave a good impression. The MSE should be only a small part of the overall intake evaluation. The results of the MSE should be carefully compared to the results from other sources like imaging studies or laboratory tests.
Similar to the physical exam, the MSE is not as well suited to a structured approach and most of it is determined by the physician's unstructured observations during the taking of a history. However, a thorough MSE should include descriptions of the general appearance and behavior, alertness and attentiveness as well as speech and motor activity, mood and affect, thinking and perception and attitude as well as understanding. It should also contain a comprehensive evaluation of higher cognitive abilities such as parietal lobe functions (pictorial construction and discrimination between right-left and left, spatialization of objects) and frontal lobe executive or diffuse cerebral cortical functions (judgment abstract reasoning, memory).
It is vital that the MSE is considered in the context of the complete intake assessment and that doctors interpret the results with sensitivity and care. A thorough MSE can reveal a wide range of abnormalities, including some that are specific to psychiatric disorders, but it must be viewed as a singular data point in the overall history of the patient and is of little clinical value by itself.
Evaluation of Thought Content
The largest section of the MSE is the thought content. It should contain information on delusional thoughts (thoughts which are not true) that include grandiose or persecutory idea hallucinations (hearing things or seeing things that others can't) Preoccupations (such as worries or obsessions) and suicidal thoughts. These questions should be clearly asked. The intensity and severity of the psychotic thinking should be described. Also the extent to which they are in line with the mood (e.g. A person suffering from depression may hear voices that are angry and urge to commit suicide, but not calm and soothing hallucinations.
The thought process is the coherence, logic, and relevance of the client's responses MSE interviewer's questions. The doctor will also determine if the thought process is oriented towards a goal or disorganized and whether it moves rapidly from one topic to the next without a clear connection between them. Disorganized, tangential and circumstantial associations are thought processes that can indicate mental health conditions such as mania, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Psychologists and neuropsychologists evaluate the ability of the client to pay attention and briefly hold information in memory. This can be measured through observer observations, self-report or brief tests such as counting backwards from 100 by 7s. They also can assess the client's coping mechanisms and cognitive functioning by assessing it through direct questions and behavioral observations.
During the MSE the psychologists will observe the client's body language and facial expressions to determine if they appear aggressive or withdrawn. They also look at the client's agitation and fidgeting to determine if they are fearful or anxious. Psychologists typically use the MSE in combination with other tests and assessments to establish a diagnosis and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Psychologists are also trained to determine the signs that a client's behavior may be consistent with a particular mental illness or is due to another cause such as substance abuse, an injury or an adverse reaction to medication. This is essential in determining the best treatment option and follow-up.
Assessment of anxiety and mood
It's normal to experience difficult times. But when these problems start to affect relationships, daily activities or even sleep, it may be time to make an appointment for a psychiatric assessment. Also called a psych evaluation and a mental health check, this exam is typically performed by a psychiatrist or physician. It can be intimidating, and you will be required to provide lots of personal details. It's important to remember that your doctor is looking to gather all the relevant information so that they can come up with a valid diagnosis and recommend the best treatment for you.
A psychiatric examination will consist of an examination of your prior medical history and physical examination. This is to confirm that there are no physical problems that could be causing your symptoms such as thyroid issues or a neurologic condition.
Your psychiatrist will also ask about any psychiatric or medical conditions, as well as whether you are currently taking any medication. If a patient is unable to give an account of their mental state it's important that their family and caregivers can answer the questions. This is not a breach of confidentiality, and it permits the doctor to get more details than he would in a face-toface interview.
During the psychiatric examination, the physician will assess the patient's emotional state by paying attention to their tone of voice and body language. They will also assess their thoughts to determine whether they are goal-oriented and connected. For instance, the doctor will look at the ability of the patient to focus during the interview and how easily psychiatric assessment they switch between various thoughts. This is an essential aspect to the assessment because psychotic or manic patients might not be able to think clearly and swiftly shift their focus of thought.
For many an evaluation for psychiatric issues is their first step towards getting the appropriate treatment they require. It is essential that anyone who believes that they are suffering from symptoms of mental illness get an evaluation. Don't let your fears or anxiety keep you from seeking assistance because it could have life-threatening implications for you and those who are around you.