Here’s What to Expect at Your Psychiatric Evaluation

You might feel anxiety or anticipation regarding your upcoming psychiatric evaluation at Alpha Care Medical. However, our providers in Seaford, Millsboro, Harrington, and Dover, Delaware, specialize in psychiatry, and we can ease your mind, help you feel relaxed, and explain the ultimate benefits of getting evaluated.

There are many reasons why your primary care provider might determine your need for a mental health assessment or evaluation, including new or worsening symptoms, changes in your behaviors, or for immigration purposes. In any case, our team gathers plenty of information during your evaluation and uses the results to plan any necessary treatment. 

In this blog, we offer a general overview of what you can expect during your psychiatric evaluation and what you can do to prepare. 

Reviewing your records

Whether or not you’ve had any mental health diagnoses in the past, our team must start your evaluation by reviewing your medical records in depth. Specifically, our providers will want to know of any prior diagnoses, history of trauma, and substance-related disorders.

Beyond medical records and reports, our team might request information about your occupational, educational, or legal past. While not all information from such sources is relevant to a psychiatric evaluation, you should be sure to include any records that point to behavioral or mental trends across time. 

Observing your behaviors

Either formally or informally during your time with us, the Alpha Care Medical team observes your behaviors. This takes place before and even during your official psychiatric evaluation. The team takes note of any relevant behaviors they observe from you while combining their observations with your self-reported symptoms. 

Asking for your insight

A key part of your psychiatric evaluation is a series of questions that the team asks you. They ask detailed questions about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors while comparing your self-reporting to your past records. Be sure to bring up your family history, too, as many mental health conditions have a genetic component. 

For specific conditions, the team might use simple assessments to find out about your specific thought patterns. Since some mental health symptoms come from underlying causes that primarily impact your physical health, they might also use lab testing to check various hormones and other factors that can help them rule out possible physical causes. 

Determining the best course of treatment

Once your psychiatric evaluation comes to an end, the team can make a diagnosis if the results indicate you have a mental health condition. They use the results to develop a personalized mental health care plan that meets your needs, and they support you as you go through treatment. As a primary care practice, Alpha Care Medical can also direct you to further testing or suitable treatments for physical conditions impacting your mental well-being. 

For more information on what to expect from a psychiatric evaluation or to inquire about other matters related to mental health, book an appointment online or over the phone with Alpha Care Medical today.