The Not So Well-Known Benefits Of Full Psychiatric Assessment
A Full Psychiatric Assessment
A psychiatric evaluation is the first step in receiving proper mental health care. The psychiatrist will ask a many questions about your home and work life, stress sources, traumatic events that you've been through and any alcohol or drug issues.
Background and History
A full psychiatric assessment, also known as psych eval, is usually a multi-disciplinary procedure in hospital settings, which includes psychiatric nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers. However, the psychiatrist plays the lead role in obtaining a thorough medical history and carrying out an examination of the mental state. The information can be gathered directly from observation or the person being evaluated themselves and carers, and also through specific psychological tests.
The doctor will ask about the patient's health issues and what he or she has done in the past few months, weeks, or years. They will also inquire about your family and personal health. This information will help the doctor determine what is causing symptoms and if they are caused by a different health issue.
During this time, the psychiatrist will take an examination of the medical history and determine whether there is a history of anxiety, depression or other psychiatric issues within the family. They will also want be aware of if the patient is suffering from any physical ailments like diabetes or heart disease, and what medications they are currently taking or were prescribed in the past.
Additionally the psychiatrist will take note of current symptoms and the length of time they have been present. They will also ask the patient about their daily routine like their work and home environment. They will also discuss the individual's previous treatment and degree of compliance to it. Often, family members and carers offer information that the patient has not previously disclosed but it is a matter of confidentiality and does not violate their rights to privacy.
Depending on the severity of the issue, other tests and/or observations may be needed. These could include laboratory tests, blood pressure readings or electroencephalography (EEG), which measures brain activity. They could also take IQ tests, which test cognitive ability. These can test spatial skills, concentration, memory and communication skills.
All psychiatric assessments must be conducted by professionals who are skilled and knowledgeable. This will ensure that the diagnosis is correct and that the person is offered a treatment plan that best suits their needs.
Mental Status Test
The mental status exam (MSE) can be a painful experience for the physician and patient alike. It is a "snapshot" of the patient in a specific moment, and is useful for describing the patient's behaviours and thoughts at that time. The MSE is also useful in describing how a patient's state of mind changes over time. For instance, it can show the transition from depression to manic episodes.
The MSE begins with the physician's initial observations of the patient, typically during the taking of a medical history. The manner in which a patient interacts with and behaves in front of the examiner can reveal something about the root of the mental disorder. This includes the dishevelled look of a depressed individual or the provocative style of manic patients. It could also signal an absence of motivation or energy, like in a depressed person or agitated person on antipsychotic medication.
If a psychiatric exam is conducted it is best to do it when the patient is calm and cooperative. Both the patient and the examiner may feel uncomfortable during the interview. It is crucial to present a positive impression. The MSE is a short part of the overall intake evaluation and the results must be carefully evaluated together with the results from other sources such as imaging studies or lab tests.
As with the physical exam as well, the MSE is not as well suited to a structured approach, and the majority of it is gathered from the physician's unstructured observations during history-taking. Nevertheless, a detailed MSE should include descriptions of general appearance and behavior, alertness and attention as well as speech and motor activity as well as mood and affect, thought and perception, attitude and understanding. It should also include a thorough assessment of higher cognitive functions such as parietal-lobe functions (pictorial construction, right-left discrimination, the localization of objects in space) and frontal lobe executive or diffuse cortical functions (judgment abstract reasoning, memory).
It is crucial that the MSE is incorporated into the context of the entire intake assessment and that physicians interpret the results with sensitivity and care. A thorough MSE may reveal a variety of abnormalities including those that are specific to mental disorders. However it should be seen as one data point within the patient's history and has limited clinical value.
Assessment of Thought Content
The most important part of the MSE is the thought content. It should contain information on delusional thoughts (thoughts that are not real) - such a persecutory or grandiose idea hallucinations (hearing things or seeing things that other people cannot) and preoccupations (such as worries or obsessions) and suicidal thought. These questions should be addressed directly. The intensity and extent of the psychopathic thinking needs to be described. Also whether or not they correspond to the mood (e.g. A person suffering from depression may hear voices that are angry and urge to commit suicide, versus peaceful and peaceful hallucinations.
The thought process is the logic, relevance and coherence of the client's responses to the MSE interviewer's questions. Doctors also look for signs that the thought process is goal-directed or disorganized and whether it moves rapidly from one topic to the next without any apparent connection between them. Disorganized, tangential or circumstantial associations are thought patterns that may indicate mental health conditions like schizophrenia, mania and bipolar disorder.
Psychologists and neuropsychologists also evaluate the client's focus on task and ability to hold information in short-term memory. This can be assessed through self-reports, examiner observations or tests that are brief such as counting backwards beginning at 100 and then multiplying it by sevens. They also evaluate the client's strategies to cope and their cognitive performance in daily life, which can be evaluated through direct questions and behavioral observation.
During the MSE, psychologists observe the client's facial expressions and body language to determine if they seem withdrawn or aggressive. They also look at the client's fidgeting and restlessness in order to determine whether they are anxious or fearful. Psychologists often use the MSE together with other assessments and tests to make an assessment and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Psychologists are also trained to recognize if the client's behavior is similar to a particular mental illness or is due to another cause such as substance abuse, an injury or an adverse reaction to medication. This information is crucial in determining the most appropriate treatment and follow-up care.
Evaluation of Mood, Anxiety, and Stress
There are times when we all experience hardships however, when these issues begin to affect relationships, everyday tasks, and even one's ability to sleep, it may be time to schedule a psychiatric assessment. Also called a psych eval or mental health examination, this type of exam is typically performed by a psychiatrist or a doctor. The process can be a little intimidating and you'll usually have lots of information you'll need to provide. 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 right treatment for you.
A psychiatric examination will consist of a review of your past medical history and physical examination. This is to ensure that your symptoms aren't caused by a physical condition like thyroid disorders or an illness of the nervous system.
Your psychiatrist will also ask about any psychiatric or medical conditions and if you are currently taking any medications. If a patient is unable to provide an account due to their mental health, it's essential that their family and caregivers can answer the questions. This is not a breach of confidentiality and it allows the physician to get more complete information than would be possible during a face-toface interview.
In the psychiatric consultation the doctor will examine the emotional state of the patient through observation of their body language and tone of voice. They will also evaluate their thoughts to see whether they are goal-oriented and related . The doctor will assess for instance, how the patient can focus and switch between ideas during the interview. This is an important aspect of the examination, as patients who are manic or psychotic may not be able to think clearly or quickly shift their focus.
For many, a psychiatric evaluation is the first step to get the appropriate treatment they require. Despite the stigma that surrounds mental illness, it's imperative that anyone who suspects they're suffering from symptoms of a mental disorder seek an evaluation. Don't let fear or anxiety prevent you from seeking help as it could have serious and life-threatening consequences for yourself and the people surrounding you.