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A Full Psychiatric Assessment A psychiatric evaluation is the first step towards receiving proper mental health care. The psychiatrist will ask you a lot of questions regarding your work and personal life, the causes of stress, major trauma you've had, as well as if you have had any substance or alcohol-related issues. Learn Additional and Histories A complete psychiatric evaluation, also known as psych eval, is usually a multi-disciplinary procedure in hospital settings, which involves occupational therapists, psychologists and social workers. The psychiatrist is the one who compiles a detailed medical record and performs a mental examination. The information can be gathered from direct observation or the person being evaluated themselves and carers, as well as through specific psychological tests. The doctor will inquire with the patient about their symptoms and what they have been doing in the past few weeks, months, and years. They will also inquire about your family health and personal health. This information will allow the doctor to understand what is the cause of the symptoms, and whether they are the result of another condition. During this phase where the psychiatrist will take an medical history and determine whether there is any history of anxiety, depression or other psychiatric disorders in the family. They will also ask whether there are any physical problems such as heart disease or diabetes and what medications the person is taking or has been prescribed. Additionally the psychiatrist will take a note of the current symptoms and the length of time they have been present. They will also inquire about the lifestyle of the patient, including their job and home environment. They will also talk about previous treatments and the degree of adhering to. Most often family members and carers provide information that the patient hasn't previously disclosed but this is a matter of confidentiality and does not violate their right to privacy. Depending on the severity of the issue, additional tests and examinations may be required. These could include laboratory tests, blood pressure readings or electroencephalography (EEG), which measures brain activity. They may also use IQ test, which measures cognitive abilities. They can test spatial abilities as well as concentration, memory and communication abilities. All psychiatric tests should be performed by professionals who are skilled and knowledgeable. This will ensure that the diagnosis and treatment plan are correct. Mental Status Examination The mental status exam (MSE) can be a harrowing experience for both the doctor and patient. It's an “snapshot” of the patient at a particular moment, and is useful to describe the patient's behavior and thoughts at that time. The MSE can also prove useful in describing how a patient's mental state changes over time, such as from depression to mania. The MSE begins with the doctor's initial observations of the patient, usually during the process of taking a history. How a patient interacts with the examiner and with their surroundings can reveal crucial details about the underlying mental illness. This includes the dishevelled appearance of a depressed patient, or the provocative style of manic patients. It could also signal a lack of motivation or effort, like in a depressed person or an anxious person taking antipsychotic medication. If a psychiatric exam is undertaken it is best when the patient is at ease and cooperative. It can be a challenging and uncomfortable experience for the patient and the examiner, and it is important to present a positive impression. The MSE is a small portion of the overall intake evaluation and the results must be considered in conjunction with findings from other sources such as imaging studies or laboratory tests. The MSE is not as structured as the physical exam and most of the information gathered is taken by the doctor during the history-taking process. A detailed MSE will include descriptions of the appearance and behavior as well as alertness and attention to speech and motor activities as well as mood and affect perception and thought and attitude as well as awareness. It should also include an evaluation of higher cognitive abilities like parietal-lobe function (pictorial representation as well as right-left discrimination and localization of objects in space). It is essential that the MSE be viewed in the context of a thorough intake evaluation, and that physicians interpret the results with care and sensitivity. A thorough MSE can reveal a broad variety of abnormalities, including many that are specific to psychiatric disorders however, it must be seen as a single data point within the overall patient's history and has little clinical value by itself. Assessment of Thought Content The thought content section is the most extensive of the MSE sections and should contain information on delusional thinking (thoughts that are not true) like jealous, persecutory, or grandiose thoughts; hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that others do not) and preoccupations (such as worries, obsessions or phobias) and suicidal ideas. These questions should be addressed directly. The extent and intensity of the pathological thoughts should be outlined, along with whether they are mood congruent or incongruent (e.g. a patient who is depressed hearing voices that are angry or encouraging them to kill themselves versus hallucinations that are peaceful and calm). Thought process refers to the logic, relevance, coherence and flow of the client's thinking as they respond to the examiner's questions during the MSE interview. Physicians will also note whether the thought process is unorganized or goal-directed, and the frequency with which it moves from one subject to the next without a clear connection. Mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and mania can be indicated by tangential, disorganized and tangential thought processes. Psychologists and neuropsychologists also assess the client's focus on task and ability to hold information in short-term memory. This can be determined through self-reports, examiner observations or short tests like counting backwards from 100 and multiplying it by sevens. They also evaluate the client's coping strategies and cognitive functioning in daily life, which can be measured through direct questioning and behavioral observations. During the MSE psychological evaluation, psychologists look at the client's facial expressions and body language to determine if they appear to be withdrawn or aggressive. They also watch the client's restlessness or fidgeting to determine if they're anxious and fearful. Psychologists often use the MSE along with other tests and assessments to determine an assessment and develop the treatment plan. Psychologists are also trained to determine the signs that a client's behavior may be in line with a specific mental illness or is due to another cause such as alcohol abuse, injury or medication side effects. This information is crucial in finding the most effective treatment and follow-up. Assessment of Mood, Anxiety, and Stress We all have tough times and when those issues become a problem for relationships, daily activities and even the ability to sleep, it could be time to schedule a psychiatric assessment. The mental health test is also referred to as a “psych evaluation” and is usually performed by a psychiatrist or doctor. The process can be a bit daunting and usually there's plenty of information you'll need to provide. It's important to remember that your psychiatrist wants to gather all the information so they can make a correct diagnosis and suggest the appropriate treatment for you. A psychiatric evaluation will include an examination of your previous medical history and an examination of your body. This is to make sure that there are no physical problems that could cause your symptoms, such as thyroid issues or neurologic disorder. Your psychiatrist will also ask about any past psychiatric and medical conditions and if you are currently taking any medication. If a patient is unable to give an account of their mental condition, it is essential that their family members and caregivers can answer the questions. This is not a violation of confidentiality, and it permits the doctor to get more information than he could in a face-to-face interview. During the psychiatric interview the doctor will evaluate the patient's emotional state by observing their tone of voice and body language. They will also look at their thoughts to determine if they are goal-directed and connected. The doctor will examine for instance, how the patient can focus and switch between thoughts during the interview. This is an essential aspect to the assessment as a manic or psychotic patient might not be able to think clearly and swiftly shift their focus. For many seeking a psychiatric assessment, it's their first step towards getting the proper care they need. It is essential that anyone who believes they suffer from symptoms of mental illness seeks an evaluation. Don't let your fear or anxiety keep you from seeking assistance because it could have serious and life-threatening implications for you and those surrounding you.