Methods of diagnosis Flashcards
What are the three important aspects of psychiatric assessment?
- History
- Mental State Examination
- Risk Assessment
What should be included in the history assessment?
- History of presenting complaint
- Medical history
- Medication history
- Forensic History (any criminal issues)
- Drug and alcohol
- Family history
- Past psych history
Why is the past medical history important in a psych assessment?
-To see if any medication or medical condition could be inducing psychosis
What is covered in psychiatric assessment?
- Appearance
- Behaviour
- Speech
- Mood
- Cognition
Why is risk assessment important?
- To see if patient is risk to themselves or others
- To determine what setting a patient should be treated in
Why is diagnosis important?
- Clarification of treatment options
- Understanding the problem/difficulty
- Enable health promotion and disease prevention
- Enables further research
- Entitles access to health and social care services
What are the potential social benefits?
- Social care package
- Freedom pass
- Free prescription
- Housing aid
- Help with CV/job-seeking
What is the negative aspect of “labelling”?
- Stigma associated with psychiatric diagnosis (schizophrenia)
- Diagnoses can change so might not seem consistent
- Longer you know patient, more likely to get accurate diagnosis
- Presentation of symptoms may change
What is the positive aspect of “labelling”?
- Provide relief to patients
- “Finally know what’s wrong with me?”
What is formulation?
-A summary and interpretation of the presenting problem (based on assessment)
What are the three Ps?
- Predisposing
- Precipitating
- Perpetuating
What is meant by predisposing factors?
-Factors that make an individual more vulnerable to a mental health issue
What is meant by precipitating factors?
-The factors that currently act as the trigger for their symptoms
What is meant by perpetuating factors?
-The factors that cause the problem to continue
What are examples of biological predisposing factors?
- Genetic
- Chronic illness
What are examples of psychological predisposing factors?
- Domestic violence
- Bereavement
What are examples of social predisposing factors?
-Low income
What are examples of biological precipitating factors?
-Accident
What are examples of psychological precipitating factors?
-Bereavement
What are examples of social precipitating factors?
- War
- Bullying
What are examples of biological perpetuating factors?
-Substance use
What are examples of psychological perpetuating factors?
-Complex family dynamic
What are examples of social perpetuating factors?
- Low simulation
- Limited access to meaningful activities
What is the meaning of diagnosis?
-The identification of a disease or other problems by means of its symptoms, signs and investigation results
