Psychiatric Evaluation in Raleigh, NC
Wondering if you could benefit from a psychiatric evaluation? Whether you are dealing with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or any other mental health disorders, our psychiatrist Dr. Maxlyn Ellison can provide patients with the proper medication and treatment options to help them better manage their symptoms and improve their mental health and quality of life.
What is a Psychiatric Evaluation?
A psychiatric evaluation is a tool that helps you assess and diagnose mental health disorders by reviewing current and past symptoms, family history, medical history, developmental history, social history, trauma history, substance use history, and functioning history ( work, academics). Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in Psychiatry/ Neurology and have Undergraduate Degrees, Medical School degrees, and Residency Training in Adult Psychiatry and additional training for Child/Adolescent Psychiatry 1-2 years totaling 12-13 years of training. Other Providers like Nurse Practitioners (Nursing Degree=4 years, plus 2 years Master's Degree) totaling 6 yrs of education and some have NP Doctorates with PhD of total 7 years of education also perform psychiatric evaluations. Psychiatric evaluations are commonly used to diagnose anxiety, depression, addiction and eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. A psychiatric evaluation is also designed to rule out physical conditions that could be causing a patient’s symptoms, while also identifying any mental health disorders and crafting an individualized treatment plan based on the patient’s diagnosis, symptoms, and lifestyle. Our psychiatric evaluation can take anywhere from 60 minutes to 90 minutes, depending on the types of assessments we perform. Sometimes, we also refer to Psychologists ( persons with PhD in Psychology) for testing of specific areas such as ADHD, academic problems, personality problems, and other symptoms. They use validated paper and electronic testing tools that help identify diagnoses and treatment pathways.
What goes into a Psychiatric Evaluation?
During the psychiatric evaluation, Dr. Ellison will sit down one-on-one with the patient and get to know more about their medical history and symptoms that have brought them into the office for this clinical evaluation. The evaluation will involve learning more about:
- Your symptoms
- Your behaviors
- Your work and school performance
- Your relationships, social interactions, and community
- Your activities and hobbies
- Any family history of emotional, behavioral, developmental, and mental disorders
As we go through their detailed medical history we may request that the patient undergo blood tests or lab tests to determine if certain underlying systemic health problems could be causing their symptoms. Sometimes additional assessments including speech or educational assessments may be recommended.
Could you Benefit from a Psychiatric Evaluation?
While life certainly has its up and downs, symptoms of a mental health disorder can interfere with your wellbeing, your personal and professional life, your relationships, and your quality of life. You might benefit from turning to Dr. Ellison for a psychiatric evaluation if:
- You’ve lost interest in activities and hobbies you once loved
- You’re experiencing pervasive and recurring feelings of sadness or depression
- You are experiencing hallucinations or delusions
- You are avoiding social interactions and withdrawing from loved ones and friends
- You are having suicidal thoughts
- You are thinking of harming yourself or others
- You are abusing drugs or alcohol
Psychiatric Evaluations include a review of the current problem in terms of timing, intensity, and history. During the interview, referral records and testing can be reviewed. This extensive discussion will address past medical history, social history, developmental history, past medications and treatments, and treatment goals. Please plan 50-60mins for the psychiatric evaluation of adults. We often spend as much as 75-90 minutes in the evaluation for children/adolescents. We usually meet with Parents for 40-60 mins prior to our child/adolescent evaluations. Please note that a Parent/Guardian is required for all meetings with persons under 18 yrs of age.