Psychiatric consultation

Assessment

Establishing a diagnosis based on:

• Psychological symptoms and signs
• Chronology of symptoms
• Epidemiological correlation (e.g. age, sex)

Determining of severity

• Social function
• Occupational function
• Activities of daily living
• Risk of self harm, suicide, homicide

Identifying causes (predisposing, perpetuating, precipitating)

• Developmental issues e.g. brain damage
• Medical illnesses including drug history e.g. chronic pain, marjuana
• Psychological factors
• Underlying Personality e.g. dependent traits
• Current stressors e.g. loss of loved one
• Family history of psychiatric illness
• Social circumstances e.g. social isolation

Management considerations

• Biological - psychotropics, ECT, psychosurgery
• Psychological - psychotherapy
• Social - social work, case worker, club and group activities, institutionalisation

Types of psychotherapy

Based on diagnosis and cause
Emphasis varies depending on different psychological theories (see Psychology)

• Individual - e.g. psychoanalytic, hypnotherapy, supportive
• Group
• Adjunctive - e.g. arts, craft, music, dance
• Behavioural and cognitive