What happens during a psychiatric evaluation?

A psychiatric evaluation helps a psychiatrist understand your symptoms and find a treatment plan that allows you to overcome or manage your symptoms and become healthier.

A psychiatrist evaluation is a diagnostic tool employed by a psychiatrist and is the first step toward getting proper mental health care. You will need to undergo a physical examination, fill out forms and answer all the questions your psychiatrist asks you for them to understand what you’re going through.

This evaluation is used to diagnose problems with memory, thought processes, and behaviours. During an evaluation, your psychiatrist will ask you about the symptoms you’re experiencing. Understanding your concerns can help them identify what’s causing you distress and develop a treatment plan to manage your symptoms.

Each evaluation is different because each person has their symptoms and triggers. Psychiatric evaluations are performed to rule out the possibility of other physical conditions and identify long-term issues. The duration of the evaluation depends on the severity of the illness and symptoms.

If you have a history of alcohol or drug abuse, you will need to disclose that to your psychiatrist so that they can diagnose you accurately. You will need to list any physical illnesses you may have or have had in the past. They will also consider your family history in case of a history of mental illnesses.

Psychiatric evaluation is categorised into three, General, Emergency and Clinical Evaluation. General Psychiatric Evaluation aims to determine if a person has a mental illness that needs special care from a psychiatrist. This could involve discussions with the patient’s family.

Emergency evaluation is performed for people who have undergone trauma recently, abuse substances or are experiencing psychotic symptoms. Clinical consultation aims to diagnose people who experience issues with behaviour or thinking.

Regardless of the type of psychiatric evaluation, the primary aim is to help the psychiatrist accurately diagnose you and find a treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms. Depending on your symptoms, your treatment plan could include medication, psychotherapy, or a combination.

Medically reviewed by Dr Sunitha MBBS, DPM (NIMHANS), DNB

Dr Sunitha serves as the Chief Psychiatrist at Agan Health Trichy. She specialises in Adult Psychiatry, and her fields of interest include consultation liaison psychiatry and women's mental health. With over 15 years of experience in the field of mental healthcare, Dr Sunitha has been instrumental in positively transforming the lives of many in Tamil Nadu. She is also a consulting psychiatrist at some of the reputed mental health institutions in Tamil Nadu.