The Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
The first step in seeking help for a mental health problem is to receive a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. I take special time and care to gather a complete history, and meaningful information about you, in order to determine a diagnosis, priority of concerns, and most effective treatment approach.
I consider all aspects of one’s situation when determining the best treatment plan – including information about health, illness, and past treatment (medical and psychiatric), family health, information about child development, academic/work performance, and friends, family relationships, a thorough psychiatric interview, and if necessary, laboratory studies such as blood tests, imaging studies, or special assessments (for example; psychological, educational, speech and language evaluations). As a physician, my responsibility is to assess if there are other medical problems that can present as, or worsen psychiatric disorders. Medical problems considered during consultation and treatment include:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Neurological conditions
- Sensory loss (eg. hearing, sight)
- Infectious diseases
- Bodily organ dysfunctions
- Exposure to toxins
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Chronic insomnia
- Chronic Pain
- Traumatic brain injury
- Menstrual disorders
- Pregnancy and the postpartum period
- Substance abuse
- Allergic conditions
- Inflammatory conditions
- Chronic fatigue conditions
- Anemia and other blood disorders
- Genetic disorders
- Developmental disorders
- Physical trauma disorders
- Emotional trauma disorders
- Jet lag and travel
- Cognitive decline conditions
- Delirious conditions
- Side effect of medications and supplements
- Post surgical states
- Eating disorders and nutrition