There are several reasons why you may need to go through the process of having a psychiatric evaluation performed. Your doctor may have ordered one based on the symptoms that you have described to them or are exhibiting in front of them. If you’ve recently been dealing with an increase in anxiety, panic attacks, depression, or insomnia, there is cause for concern. Properly being diagnosed with a mental health issue can ensure you receive the best treatment possible, along with finally receiving a diagnosis.
Evaluation Components
When you arrive at a psychiatric evaluation, there are several parts of the process that you will participate in. This includes things like an interview with a social worker, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. You may be asked to complete a series of questionnaires that provide insight into what you’re going through and dealing with. Mental status exams will help provide a comprehensive review of your mental health.
Sharing Your History
You should be prepared to discuss your symptoms. It’s important that you’re honest and show symptoms appropriately, so you can receive an accurate diagnosis. You should disclose any other diagnoses you have and challenges that you have faced in the past. You should also disclose any mental health diagnoses that your family members or other relatives may have. Genetics can play a large role in what you’re dealing with. You may have also gone through a certain degree of trauma because of your family members’ mental health issues. This may have led to your current symptoms. The goal is to be as transparent as possible, so your clinician truly understands.
Supplemental Medical Information
It may be necessary for a clinical provider to obtain additional information about your health or mental wellbeing before or after being seen. They may ask if you have worked with any other medical or mental health professionals in the past. Disclosing this information will allow better accuracy moving forward throughout this psychiatric evaluation process.
Behavioral Observations
Your clinician will pay close attention to your behavior throughout the evaluation. It’s normal to be nervous in a situation such as this. However, you may be exhibiting signs of discomfort, paranoia, fear, and anxiety. You may be shifting in your seat a lot. You may be sweating or stuttering while you speak. Your hands may be constantly moving, or you may be looking around at your surroundings as if in anticipation of something. All this data can help a professional figure out what your clinical issue is so they can make appropriate recommendations for treatment and diagnosis.
You should rest assured knowing that all your personal information will be kept confidential. Anything that you share with the clinician will be private. Your information can be shared with your proxy or spouse if you have indicated that this is allowed. However, it is the responsibility of the clinician to act appropriately if they feel that you are a danger to yourself or others. For more information or to schedule an evaluation, you can reach out to Peak Mental Healthcare.
