6 Signs That You Should Get a Psychiatric Evaluation

Psychiatric evaluations are used to diagnose illnesses that affect memory, behaviors, and thought processes. These tests have helped many individuals receive an accurate diagnosis and get started with the right treatment plan for them and their condition.

But how do you know if you could benefit from receiving one? And when is the right time to get started? Below, we’ll discuss the signs that it might be time to get a psychiatric evaluation.

What Is A Psychiatric Evaluation?

A psychiatric evaluation, also known as a psychological evaluation and a mental health evaluation, can help determine if someone has a physical disorder or mental health condition. They are used to diagnose conditions like Alzheimer’s, anxiety, ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), bipolar, dementia, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), depression, head trauma, intellectual disabilities, eating disorders, personality disorders, schizophrenia, stroke, substance abuse disorders, and more.

Psychiatric evaluations can be administered by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or family doctor. They typically involve several different types of screenings and assessments, including:

• Physical exams
• Verbal questionnaires
• Written questionnaires
• Lab tests
• Medical evaluations
• Cognitive evaluations

These tests can help the psychiatrist or other health professional develop an understanding of an individual’s personality, outlook, coping styles, and more. Once they know all of these things, they can diagnose the patient and begin to create a treatment plan that is tailored to them.

How to Know If You Need A Psych Evaluation

Psych evaluations are helpful for individuals who show signs of some sort of condition but don’t have an official diagnosis. A psychiatric evaluation may be a good choice for you if you…

1. Are having having issues in school or work
2. Are experiencing changes in mood
3. Have been engaging in violent behavior
4. Are experiencing memory loss
5. Have suffered physical issues like a stroke
6. Use substances like alcohol, pain medication, or illicit drugs in excess

While the ones above are perhaps the most common, the signs someone shows will ultimately depend on the individual and their condition/s.

Receiving A Psychiatric Eval: Getting Started

If you show any of the signs above and believe that you could benefit from a psychiatric evaluation, talk to your doctor to get started. If they agree that an evaluation would be a good choice for you, then you can get started from there. While your primary care doctor may be able to perform a psychiatric evaluation themselves, keep in mind that they are likely not trained in specific mental health conditions. By going to a psychiatrist or psychologist, you know you are going to someone who has studied the symptoms you’re experiencing in depth.

Psychiatric evaluations can be done in emergency departments, home care services, inpatient units, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, outpatient facilities, and prisons. Today, many medical centers and mental health facilities provide psych evaluations for children and adults.

At Elium Health, we offer psychiatric evaluations in a comfortable and welcoming environment. Additionally, our specialists can offer mental health treatment to help patients manage their conditions in the long-term. While it varies based on a person’s condition, treatment will usually include medication, psychotherapy, education, group meetings, and more.

To learn about psychiatric evaluations or any of our treatment options, contact Elium Health by giving us a call at 866-552-3758 or sending an email to contact@eliumhealth.com.

Sources

https://www.verywellmind.com/get-your-teen-a-psychological-evaluation-2610450

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-psychiatry-evaluation-5213871 https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-making-diagnosis