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Initial Psychiatric Evaluation

Live Well Psychiatry  -  - Psychiatrist

Live Well Psychiatry

Psychiatrists & TMS Specialists located in Meridian, ID

Around 50 percent of Americans experience a mental health condition at some point during their lives. An initial psychiatric evaluation is a critical part of getting an accurate diagnosis and the treatment you need. At Live Well Psychiatry in Meridian, Idaho, our team of mental health experts offers extensive initial consultations, including research-level surveys to help them get your diagnosis right the first time. While they don't offer in-house counseling services, they can refer you to a qualified provider in your area if they think it will benefit your mental health. To schedule an evaluation, call Live Well Psychiatry.

Initial Psychiatric Evaluation Q & A

What are the signs I should talk to a psychiatrist?

The team at Live Well Psychiatry diagnoses most mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Each mental health condition causes unique symptoms. However, signs that you should seek professional mental health care, include:

  • Inability to control emotions
  • Sleeping too much or too little
  • Changes in performance at work or school
  • Social withdrawal
  • Excessive anxiety or sadness
  • Frequent nightmares
  • Increased irritability and angry outbursts
  • Unexplained physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, and digestive problems

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, contact Live Well Psychiatry to schedule an appointment today. 

How should I prepare for my initial psychiatric evaluation?

You don’t need to do too much to prepare for your initial psychiatric evaluation. In general, make sure you have your identification, insurance card, and a list of any medications, including vitamins and supplements, that you take regularly. 

You might need to have blood work before your appointment. Additionally, after scheduling your appointment, you will receive a link to fill out any necessary forms. Please be sure to complete these before your appointment.

What happens during an initial psychiatric evaluation?

At Live Well Psychiatry, we believe in providing accurate diagnoses to our patients as the foundation for effective treatment. Our diagnostic process uses a standardized interview based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is the gold standard for psychiatric diagnosis. 

At the first appointment, we conduct a comprehensive interview, which collects lifetime symptoms from the patient. This interview is designed to establish accurate psychiatric diagnoses, including depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, and mania, among others. The diagnoses are clearly explained to the patient and are the foundation for future treatment based on personal experience and data. 

Our diagnostic interview is used by all providers in our clinic and is applied to every patient we treat. This provides a standard of practice for all providers, ensuring that every patient receives the same rigorous and consistent approach to diagnosis and treatment. 

At Live Well Psychiatry, we're committed to providing the best possible care to our patients, and our diagnostic process is just one way we do that. We believe that an accurate diagnosis is the foundation for effective treatment and we're proud to offer this service to our patients. 

Prior to you appointment, please fill out the new patient paperwork and submit them to the office. In addition to standard paperwork, the team at Live Well Psychiatry asks you to complete same-day research-level evaluation surveys. These surveys will be sent to you via text message or email. You can also find them on the patient portal. Please make sure you fill out the surveys for the day at least 30 minutes prior to the start time of your appointment.  

These scientific questionnaires are different from the downloadable forms and help your provider get a full picture of your mental, emotional, and physical health. 

When your paperwork is complete, you meet with your provider for approximately an hour. Your provider reviews your forms and asks many questions to get to know you and assess your condition. 

This appointment might feel like an interview. Be honest and frank with your provider. They need to understand precisely how you’re feeling and what you are thinking. Live Well Psychiatry is also a safe, confidential, judgment-free zone. 

At the end of your first appointment, your provider gives you a diagnosis and discusses your treatment options. They can also direct you to resources to learn more about your condition and health. 

If you’re concerned about your mental health, call Live Well Psychiatry for your initial psychiatric evaluation today.