What is Psychological Assessment? Psychologists evaluate a person's behavior through formal psychological tests under controlled conditions. This may include standard tests and interviews. Psychological assessments are a crucial component of a lot of medico-legal cases. They can help to develop a better understanding of the individual and enable positive coping strategies to be implemented. Why should I have a psychological assessment? A psychologist will conduct a psychological evaluation to determine the cause of mental health problems. Psychological assessments may include testing using the use of standard tests, clinical interviewing and the review of relevant documents. The information gathered during psychological assessments can be used to design an appropriate treatment plan that addresses your individual requirements. Psychological assessments are a valuable tool that can provide insights into how a particular problem might be affecting your daily life, such as problems with learning as well as attention deficit or mood disorders like depression and anxiety. They can also identify an underlying neurological or psychiatric issue which may be contributing to symptoms, like Alzheimer's or brain injury. In many instances, a simple diagnostic interview will not suffice. Your doctor might recommend a comprehensive assessment. The results of a psychological examination are included in an assessment report that contains background information such as test scores clinical impressions, and likely diagnoses. The report is sent to you, as well as your referring medical professionals. While the purpose of psychological testing and assessments is to determine what may be causing your symptoms or issues however, it can be helpful to learn about your strengths. This is especially helpful for those who have previously suffered from mental health issues. Many people notice that their mental health issues cease impacting their lives completely once they receive proper treatment, which includes therapy and medication. www.iampsychiatry.uk can help determine whether there are any co-occurring disorders contributing to symptoms. This is called comorbidity or complex and national studies of comorbidity reveal that a significant proportion of people who struggle with one type of psychiatric disorder typically have different forms of mental illness present. Psychological assessment is a powerful tool that is crucial to the diagnostic process. However, it is crucial to keep in mind that the interpretation of any test or data must be considered in context with case history and other behavioral information and never in isolation. When interpreted improperly, psychological assessments can be misleading and even mislead those seeking help. This is why experienced psychologists take great care in writing psychological assessments and communicating them to their clients, using careful and shrewd language. What will happen at the test? Psychological assessments are complex and vary a great deal in content depending on the circumstances and your child's needs. They may involve an interview with a trained psychologist as well as observation, questionnaires designed for parents and children, and a variety of psychological tests. Psychologists will discuss the assessment process with you and answer any questions you might have. It is important to know what the assessment will involve to ensure you feel comfortable about the process and you shouldn't be afraid to ask questions. Psychometrics is the study of psychological measurement (including the development, interpretation, and evaluation of psychological tests). The primary concerns of psychometrics include test reliability (consistency), validity, and fairness. A psychological assessment can be used to detect and diagnose mental health issues. It can also assist in design a treatment program that is appropriate to the individual and help to ensure that they receive the proper care and support. Assessments can also provide useful information to other healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists, allowing them to better comprehend their patients and the impact of their symptoms on their daily lives. The results of a psychotherapy assessment can have a significant impact on the quality of life for your child. They can help you discover any issues that are not being addressed that may be causing a negative impact on their relationship with family, friends, and school performance. They can also lead to a more positive understanding of your child's their strengths and weaknesses. This can positively impact the way you interact with your child, allowing you to develop meaningful and healthy relationships with them. It can also improve their academic performance and behaviour. Psychological assessments are typically ordered by a judge as part of a legal proceeding. In these cases it is essential that the person who is commissioned to conduct the test is an HCPC registered Clinical or Counselling Psychologists. This will ensure that the report is impartial and precise, avoiding concerns of bias or unfairness. How will the assessment be carried out? There is a wide range of psychological tests available and the type of assessment used will depend on the criteria to be established (usually in response to a specific referral). A typical Psychological Assessment consists of a series of planned interviews (usually semi-structured), followed by a variety of psychometric assessments (tests) that are designed to address the issues raised in the referral. This aids in determining complicated diagnoses, helping define the symptoms, coping style/personality and the type of therapy most likely to help the patient. Many psychologists have also been trained to administer questionnaires which measure a variety of different characteristics that include personality emotions, the coping styles. These questionnaires are often useful in the beginning stages of a psychological assessment and are particularly beneficial when assessing children and adolescents. The questionnaires usually require the patient to answer several questions about themselves. They may also ask others who know them well to fill in the blanks on what they have observed (for example behaviour or relationships). Neuropsychological tests are more likely to be conducted in medical settings and tend to focus on the impact of an illness on cognitive functioning. For example when a patient has suffered a brain injury or suffers from a neurologic disorder such as epilepsy or dementia. These tests are intended to determine the extent of any cognitive impairments and to provide a benchmark by which future progress can be assessed. In addition, there are many special psychometric tests that can be employed in specific cases to evaluate a range of different aspects like intelligence, memory, and academic achievement. These are typically more time-consuming to complete but they can be extremely useful in assisting the psychiatrist's diagnosis. Psychiatrists and Psychologists both may recommend that patients engage in psychotherapy (talking therapies) to help them overcome emotional/relationship difficulties or problems with stress or anxiety. These are usually accessible on the NHS but there is a waiting list for these services. Psychiatrists and Psychologists will also be in a position to refer patients to other services such as physical therapy to treat injuries resulting from their work or physical health issues such as diabetes. What is the price? A doctor might conduct tests on you if you're suffering from an illness like dizziness, or feeling faint. This will help determine the root of your issue. Psychological evaluations function similarly, they are designed to aid the mental health professional determine what is causing your symptoms. A psychological assessment is a complicated process that involves standardized tests and observations. The test will concentrate on your current level of functioning and how it is affected by any issues you're facing. The results of the psychological assessment will be used to create an appropriate treatment plan that is suitable for you. It is important that the psychologist conducting the psychological examination is experienced and qualified. Your GP will be able refer you to a Psychologist. If you're being referred by your solicitor or barrister, they will know which Psychologist to recommend based on the work they've completed and their reputation in court (how their reports hold up when cross-examined). After the assessment is completed, the psychologist will produce a report that will be sent to the person who arranged the evaluation and also any other individuals involved in the matter including your guardian, family member in ad litem or solicitor. The report will outline the main findings and outline the factors that were considered and the reasons. The report will be discussed in depth with you, and you will have the chance to ask questions or offer remarks. In some instances the Psychologist might suggest treatment and will write prescriptions for medication. The Psychologist will check in with your regularly to monitor and address any concerns that you might have. It is crucial to remember that if you are having therapy through the NHS that psychotherapy is usually free of charge, however if you are undergoing an assessment for court proceedings it could be very costly. If you're concerned about the cost, talk to your GP, your mental health clinic or a non-profit organization like Mind or Rethink.
www.iampsychiatry.uk
