A Full Psychiatric Assessment

A psychiatric evaluation is the first step to getting proper mental care. The psychiatrist will ask you a lot of questions about your work and personal life, the causes of stress, any significant traumas you've endured, and if you have had any substance or alcohol-related issues.

Background and History

A full psychiatric assessment, also known as psych eval, is typically a multi-disciplinary exercise in hospitals that involves psychiatric nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, and social workers. The psychiatrist is the one who creates an extensive medical record and performs a mental examination. The information is gathered by direct observation of the person being examined and their family members and also through specific psychological tests.

The doctor will ask about the patient's symptoms as well as what the patient has done in the past few weeks, months, and years. They will also inquire about your family and health. This information will help the doctor determine what is causing the symptoms and if they are caused by a different condition.

In this stage the psychiatrist will inquire about your medical background to determine if you have any family history of depression, anxiety, or other mental disorders. They will also inquire whether there are any physical problems like diabetes or heart disease, and what medication the patient is taking or has been prescribed.

The psychiatrist will also keep track of any symptoms that are present and the amount of time they've been suffering. They will also inquire with the patient about their daily routine, such as their job and home life. They will also discuss previous treatment and the degree of adhering to. Most often, family members and carers give information that the patient has not disclosed, but it is a matter of confidentiality and doesn't violate their rights to privacy.

Based on the severity, other tests and/or observations may be needed. These could include laboratory tests, blood pressure readings or electroencephalography (EEG), which measures brain activity. They can also take an IQ test, which evaluates the cognitive capacity. They can test spatial abilities as well as concentration, memory and communication skills.

All psychiatric tests must be conducted by professionals who are qualified and experienced. This will ensure the diagnosis is correct and that the person receives a treatment program that is most suitable for their needs.

Mental Status Examination

The mental status exam (MSE) can be a painful experience for the physician as well as the patient. It is a "snapshot" of the patient at a particular moment, and is useful in describing the patient's actions and thoughts at that moment. The MSE is also useful in describing how a patient's state of mind changes over time. For example, from depression to manic episode.

The MSE begins with the physician's initial observations of the patient, typically during the history-taking. 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 exuberant manner of manic patients. It could also be a sign of an absence of motivation or energy, as in a depressed patient or agitated person on antipsychotic medication.

If a psychiatric test is undertaken it is best to do it when the patient is calm and cooperative. It is a stressful and uncomfortable experience for the patient and the examiner and it is crucial to make a good impression. The MSE should be a relatively short part of the overall intake evaluation and the results must be carefully considered in conjunction with findings from other sources like laboratory tests or imaging studies.

Similar to the physical exam it is the MSE does not lend itself to a structured approach and much of it is obtained through the physician's observations during history-taking. A thorough MSE will include descriptions of appearance and behavior as in addition to alertness and attention to speech and motor activities such as mood and affect, perception and thought, attitude and understanding. It should also include a review of higher cognitive capabilities like parietal-lobe function (pictorial representation, right-left discrimination and localization of objects within space).

It is essential that the MSE be considered as part of a full intake evaluation and full psychiatric assessment that doctors interpret the results with sensitivity and care. A thorough MSE can reveal a range of abnormalities, including those that are specific to mental disorders. However it should be considered as a single data point in the patient's medical history and has no clinical value.

Assessment of Thought Content

The thought content section is the biggest of the MSE sections and should contain information about delusional thinking (thoughts that are untrue) - such as persecutory, grandiose or jealous thoughts and hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that others do not); preoccupations (such as obsessions, worries or fears); and suicidal thoughts. These questions should be addressed directly. The intensity and extent of the psychopathic thoughts should be documented, including whether they are mood congruent or not (e.g. a patient who is depressed hearing voices that are angry or instigating them to kill themselves, versus hallucinations that are calm and soothing).

Thought process refers to the coherence, logic, relevance and flow of the client's thoughts when they respond to the examiner's questions during the MSE interview. Doctors also look for signs that the thought process is disorganized or goal-directed and whether it moves rapidly between topics without a clear connection between them. Disorganized, tangential and circumstantial connections are thought processes that could be indicators of mental health issues such as mania, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

In addition, psychologists and neuropsychologists assess the capacity of the client to pay on a single subject and then hold it in memory. This can be determined through observer observations, self-report or tests such as counting backwards from 100 by sevens. They also can assess the client's coping mechanisms and cognitive performance by assessing it through direct questions and observations.

During the MSE psychologists will be observing the client's body language and facial expressions to determine if they seem anxious or withdrawn. They also look at the client's restlessness and fidgeting in order to determine whether they are anxious or scared. Psychologists use the MSE together with other tests and assessments to diagnose and formulate a treatment program. Psychologists are also trained to detect whether the client's behavior is in line with a specific mental illness or due to a different cause such as substance abuse, an injury or medication side effects. This information is crucial in determining the best treatment and follow-up.

Evaluation of Mood, Anxiety, and Stress

Everyone experiences tough times however, when these issues become a problem for relationships, everyday tasks, and even one's ability to sleep, it might be the right time to schedule a psychiatric evaluation. Also known as a psych eval or mental health examination, this type of examination is typically conducted by a psychiatrist or physician. It can be a bit daunting, and you'll need to provide a wealth of personal information. However, it's important to understand that your doctor is trying to get all the facts so they can provide a correct diagnosis and recommend the most effective treatment for you.

A psychiatric evaluation will consist of physical and mental examinations of your medical history. This is to make sure that your symptoms are not caused by a physical issue such as a thyroid disorder or an illness of the nervous system.

Your doctor will also inquire about any psychiatric or medical conditions and whether you are currently taking any medication. If the patient is unable to give an account of their mental state it's important that their family members and caregivers can answer the questions. This is not a breach of confidentiality, and it permits the doctor to obtain more detailed information than he could in a face-to-face conversation.

During the psychiatric consult, the doctor will assess the emotional state of the patient by observing their body language and tone of voice. They'll also look at their thoughts to determine if they're connected and goal-oriented. For example, the doctor will assess how much does a psychiatric assessment cost the patient is able to concentrate during the interview and if they can easily switch between various thoughts. This is a vital piece to the assessment as a manic or psychotic patient might not be able think clearly and quickly shift their focus of thought.

For many people an evaluation for psychiatric issues is the first step in getting the right treatment they require. It is essential that anyone who believes they suffer from symptoms of mental illness seeks an evaluation. Don't let anxiety or fear stop you from seeking assistance. It could have a serious impact on you and those around.