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A Full Psychiatric Assessment A psychiatric examination is the first step towards receiving proper mental health care. The psychiatrist will ask a lot questions about your home and work life, stress sources, traumatic events that you've been through and also any alcohol or drug issues. Background and Histories A complete psychiatric assessment or psycheval is a multidisciplinary procedure that occurs in hospital settings. helpful hints involves psychiatric nurses and psychologists, occupational therapy, and social workers. The psychiatrist is the one who takes a detailed medical record and conducts a mental exam. This information may be obtained from direct observation or the person being examined as well as their carers, as well as through specific psychological tests. The doctor will ask the patient about their symptoms and what they have been doing in the last few months, weeks and years. They will also ask about your family and personal health. This information can help the doctor determine what is causing symptoms and if they are the result another health issue. In this stage during this time, the psychiatrist will conduct an examination of the medical history and find out whether there is a history of anxiety, depression or other psychiatric issues within the family. They will also want know if the person suffers from any physical issues, such as heart disease or diabetes, and what medications they are currently taking or have been prescribed in the past. In addition the psychiatrist will take a note of the current symptoms and the length of time they have been present. They will also inquire with the patient about their daily routine including their work and home environment. They will also discuss the patient's prior treatment and the degree of compliance to it. Carers and families often share information that the patient hasn't shared with them. This is done to show respect for confidentiality and doesn't infringe on their privacy rights. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, a range of other tests and observations could be required. These could include laboratory tests, blood pressure readings or electroencephalography (EEG), which measures brain activity. They can also take an IQ test, which tests the cognitive capacity. They can test spatial abilities, concentration, memory and communication abilities. It is important that all psychiatric assessments are conducted by trained and experienced professionals. This will ensure that the diagnosis is accurate and that the patient receives a treatment plan that best suits their needs. Mental Status Test Mental status examinations (MSEs) can be a terrifying experience for both the patient and physician. It is an “snapshot” of the patient at a specific moment, and is useful to describe the patient's behavior and thoughts at the time. The MSE can also be helpful in describing how a person's mental state changes over time, such as from depression to mania. The MSE begins with the physician's initial observations of the patient, usually during the history-taking. How a patient interacts with the examiner as well as their surroundings can reveal crucial information about the root of the mental illness. This can be the case with the sloppy 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, as in a depressed patient or agitated person on antipsychotic medication. If a psychiatric test is undertaken, it is best done when the patient is relaxed and cooperative. Both the patient and the examiner might feel uncomfortable during the interview. It is essential to convey the right impression. The MSE should only serve as an element of the overall intake evaluation. Its results must be compared carefully with other results, such as imaging studies or tests in the laboratory. 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 the taking of a history. However, a thorough MSE should include descriptions of general appearance and behavior, alertness and attention in speech and motor activities mood and affect, thinking and perception as well as attitude and understanding. It should also include a review of higher cognitive capabilities like parietal-lobe abilities (pictorial representation of right-left discrimination, right-left localization and the representation of objects within a space). It is vital that the MSE is embedded within the context of the entire intake evaluation and that physicians interpret the results with sensitivity and care. A thorough MSE can reveal a wide variety of abnormalities, including some that are specific to psychiatric disorders but it must be viewed as a single point of data in the patient's overall history and has little clinical significance on its own. Evaluation of Thought Content The largest section of the MSE is the thought content. It should contain information on delusional thoughts (thoughts that aren't true) like grandiose or persecutory idea hallucinations (hearing things or seeing things that others cannot) Preoccupations (such as worries or obsessions) and suicidal thoughts. These questions should be clearly asked. The severity and frequency of the psychotic thoughts must be documented, including whether they are mood-congruent or incongruous (e.g. A depressed patient may hear voices that are angry and urge them to commit suicide, versus peaceful and soothing hallucinations. The thought process is the logic, relevance and coherence of the client's responses to the MSE interviewer's questions. The doctor will also determine if the thought process is disorganized or goal-directed and if it flits between topics without any clear connection between them. Disorganized, tangential or circumstantial connections are thought processes that could indicate mental health conditions such as mania, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In addition, psychologists and neuropsychologists examine the capacity of the client to pay attention and hold information in memory. This can be measured by observing examiners, the client's self-report or tests like counting backwards from 100 by 7s. They also assess the client's strategies for coping and cognitive performance in everyday life, which can be measured through direct questioning and behavioral observation. During the MSE psychologists observe the client's facial expressions and body language to determine if they seem nervous or shy. They also observe the client's restlessness or fidgeting to determine if they're nervous or anxious. Psychologists typically employ the MSE in combination with other assessments and tests to determine a diagnosis and formulate a treatment plan. Psychologists are trained to identify if a client's behavior is due to a mental illness, or if it is caused by another cause like substance abuse, an accident, or a medication side effect. This information is crucial in determining the best treatment and follow-up. Assessment of Anxiety and Mood Everyone experiences tough times however, when these issues begin to affect relationships, everyday tasks, and even the ability to sleep, it could be time to schedule a psychiatric assessment. Also called a psych evaluation, this mental health exam is typically performed by a psychiatrist or doctor. It can be a bit difficult, and you'll need to provide a wealth of personal information. It's important to remember that your doctor will want to collect all the relevant information so that they can come up with a valid diagnosis and recommend the best treatment for you. A psychiatric assessment will include a review and physical examination of your medical history. This is to make sure that there aren't any physical problems that could be causing your symptoms like thyroid problems or neurologic disorder. Your psychiatrist will also ask about any past psychiatric and medical issues and if you are currently taking any medications. If the patient is unable to give a history because of their mental condition, it is essential that their family and caregivers can answer the questions. This is not an invasion of privacy, and it allows the doctor to obtain more information than he would in a face-to-face interview. In the psychiatric consultation the doctor will examine the patient's emotional state by paying attention to their tone of voice and body language. They will also look at their thoughts to determine whether they are goal-oriented and related. The doctor will also examine, for example, how well the patient is able to concentrate and switch between ideas during the interview. This is an important aspect of the evaluation, since those who are manic or psychotic may not be able think clearly or quickly change their focus. For many, a psychiatric evaluation is their first step towards getting the appropriate treatment they require. Despite the stigma that surrounds mental illness, it's imperative that anyone who suspects suffering from symptoms of a mental disorder seek an evaluation. Don't let your anxiety or fear stop you from seeking assistance. It could have dire consequences for you and those around.