Psychiatric assessment
Psychiatric Assessment
A Psychiatric Assessment (pronunciation: /saɪˈkaɪətrɪk əˈsɛsmənt/) is a systematic process used by mental health professionals to evaluate and diagnose the mental disorders of a patient.
Etymology
The term "Psychiatric Assessment" is derived from the Greek word "psyche" meaning "soul" or "mind", and the Latin word "assessare" meaning "to sit by" (in judgment), thus referring to the evaluation of the mind.
Process
The process of a Psychiatric Assessment typically involves a series of steps. Initially, the clinician conducts an interview with the patient to gather information about their medical history, current symptoms, and overall mental state. This is followed by a mental status examination (MSE), which is an objective assessment of the patient's behavior and cognition. The clinician may also use various psychological tests to further evaluate the patient's mental health.
Components
A comprehensive Psychiatric Assessment usually includes the following components:
- Chief complaint: The main symptom or group of symptoms that the patient reports.
- History of present illness: A detailed account of the symptoms and problems leading up to the current visit.
- Past psychiatric history: Any previous mental health diagnoses, hospitalizations, or treatments.
- Medical history: Information about the patient's physical health, including any chronic illnesses, surgeries, or medications.
- Family history: Any history of mental health disorders or other significant health issues in the patient's family.
- Social history: Information about the patient's lifestyle, relationships, and social interactions.
- Mental status examination: An objective assessment of the patient's mental capacity and behavior.
Related Terms
- Clinical psychology
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
- Mental health professional
- Psychiatric diagnosis
- Psychiatric hospital
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Psychotherapy
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Psychiatric assessment
- Wikipedia's article - Psychiatric assessment
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