Whats involved in a Physciatric evaluation?

LegacyUser

Can anyone please tell me?? I got an appointment for one next week and I'm really worried because I don't know what's involved...
What do they do? What do they ask you etc
Is there anything physical involved or is it all talking??
Sorry I just don't know what to expect!

LegacyUser

I doubt there will be anyone that can give you very specific answers on here, as we dont know the nature of what the evaluation is for, could you not phone the clinic or that and ask them whats involved.

LegacyUser

Can anyone help with this?
All I've been told is that it's a general evaluation for depression!

sam34

they will ask:

about your symptoms
what they are, how long youve had them
whats been going on in your life taht may contribute to them
what treatment you've had so far, if any
if youve had this before
if anyone in your family has/have had similar
aboiut your physical health
how much you drink
whether you use drugs
a bit about your background, education, work and relationship history
what your current circumstances are - where you live, who with etc


thats not an an exhaustive list, but it gives you an idea

psychiatrists rarely do physical examinations!

they will then discuss the diagnosis and treatment options with you

LegacyUser

Thank you, that has put my mind at ease a bit!

extra-ordinary_

Signs for depression can be changes in:

sleeping
eating
sex life
socialising
irritability
sadness
thoughts of suicide


I can't think of the others, but I'd imagine you'll be asked about these areas of your life if it's to assess if you are depressed.

pennylane22

Don't be freaked out if they ask you if you ever think people on TV are talking to you, they ask everyone that.

LegacyUser

So they are basically going to go thru my life story in a few mins..
I will just be one doc there right, see just don't know what to expect cos my docs off atm
anything i need to watch out for. i have been on meds now for almost a year and they've done nothing for me, if anything i feel lower and have self-harmed. they won't want to see the cuts will they???

McChubbin

It all depends of how you cam to needing an evaluation in the first place.
If you are just feeling depressed and have gone to your GP about it, it usually entails (In my experience at least) a review of your medical history, lifestyle and a talk with a therapist to figure out if there's any recent events that have triggered the problem.

On the other hand, if you've been sectioned (willingly or no), the process is much more prolonged as the evaluaters will seek to determine EVERYTHING ( and I mean *EVERYTHING*) in your life that could've brought on the onset of depression. You will asked if you are taking any illicit substances and may be required to provide a blook/urine sample for analysis.

Your family members will also have to be cross examined depending on the nature of the evaluation and it can be a pretty traumatic experience.

EDIT: Yes, they will need to see the cuts. Take it from me: the more information you willingly provide, the easier the process will be.

LegacyUser

Thank you for your reply

The referral came about from my GP after increasing my meds for the 3rd time. He would only give me my prescription on a monthly basis so I would have to go back in and see him and how I was getting on each month. I have been attending counselling now for numerous months but I didn't feel as if I was getting anywhere. in fact i was finding it more upsetting than anything!

I have never been sectioned or anything, I am a student in my early 20's finding life extremely difficult after suffering more than 17 years of abuse.

sam34

mixed67 wrote: »

So they are basically going to go thru my life story in a few mins..
I will just be one doc there right, see just don't know what to expect cos my docs off atm
anything i need to watch out for. i have been on meds now for almost a year and they've done nothing for me, if anything i feel lower and have self-harmed. they won't want to see the cuts will they???

an initial assessment usually takes up to one hour.

you may see a registrar on the team and possibly also teh consultant.

they may or may not want to see the cuts - if they do, remember its nothing they havent seen thousands of times beforehand

sam34

McChubbin wrote: »

It all depends of how you cam to needing an evaluation in the first place.
If you are just feeling depressed and have gone to your GP about it, it usually entails (In my experience at least) a review of your medical history, lifestyle and a talk with a therapist to figure out if there's any recent events that have triggered the problem.

On the other hand, if you've been sectioned (willingly or no), the process is much more prolonged as the evaluaters will seek to determine EVERYTHING ( and I mean *EVERYTHING*) in your life that could've brought on the onset of depression. You will asked if you are taking any illicit substances and may be required to provide a blook/urine sample for analysis.

Your family members will also have to be cross examined depending on the nature of the evaluation and it can be a pretty traumatic experience.

EDIT: Yes, they will need to see the cuts. Take it from me: the more information you willingly provide, the easier the process will be.

theres a bit of scaremongering going on here, tbh.
an initial assessment looks for the same information, irrespective of how the person came to teh services.

collateral history (ie from family) is sought most of the time, may not always be available at initial assessment, but can be gathered later.

calling that "cross examination" is pure hyperbole. why would the psychiatrist seek to intimidate or harangue a family member? they need to get as much info as possible from them, so it makes sense that they would get that person to relax, trust them and open up.

questions about alcohol and illicit drugs are part of a routine psychiatric assessment.

lastly, the phrase "sectioned willingly or not" makes no sense - you cannot be willingly sectioned. sectioned refers to being detained in hospital against your will. if you consent to staying then (under current irish legislation) you cannot be held/sectioned/certified. (the term sectioned refers to the english legislation, but is roughly equivalent to the irish term certified).

LegacyUser

That info makes me feel so much at ease trust me, I just don't want to go in their in the dark not knowing what to expect cos that would really make me feel more anxious.

I meant to ask earlier, nobody know at all about the way I've been feeling except my councellor and GP, I don't want anybody finding out, they won't contact my family will they??
It's not a road I want to go down on here but it would be absolutely brutal if they found out.

LegacyUser

Not an expert in this field so this is just my opinion.

I don't think they have a right to involve your family if you don't wish anyone to know. I would suggest telling them this calmly but firmly, that you have your reasons why.

However - I do think it is relevant for them, in assessing your state of mind, to know that you have been dealing with your problems on your own without any support. Just that maybe it is a contributory factor, that you are isolated and have the extra pressure of keeping the secret that you are having mental health issues. I don't mean this in any kind of bad way - it's not your fault that you have no support, and it's sad that you can't turn to your family. I just mean the doctors should know this, it will help them to understand the kind of pressure you're under - so don't brush over it or keep anything from them.

Best wishes in getting healthy!

LegacyUser

I do honestly intend to be as open as possible, but like in no way can my family be brought into the situation! It would only make things a hell of alot worse and thats no joke!

I am slightly worried about the whole thing, but at the same time I'm not the way I was last night! I am on meds they just ain't working so am hoping I will just be put off them or something/anything for a good nights sleep!

Thanks all! I will let ye know how I get on...

Victor

Think of it as an interview, where the doctor is trying to get to know you. The objective is to find out if you can get some help to improve your situation.

mixed67 wrote: »

in no way can my family be brought into the situation!

If you had a heart condition, the doctor would ask about whether heart disease was a factor in your family. normally, the doctor would only ask you. It would be pretty rare, if not completely unknown, that they would discuss it with your family without your permission.