What is a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation?

A psychiatric evaluation helps diagnose problems with emotions, behavior, or development. It’s done based on a child’s behaviors. These are looked at to find out how they affect the child’s life.

When should a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation be sought?

Parents are often the first to suspect a problem in their child or teen. This includes problems with friends or family relationships, school, sleeping, eating, substance abuse, and other aspects of daily life. If a problem is found, treatment should be sought out as soon as possible.

What is involved in a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation?

Each assessment is different, as each child's symptoms and behaviors are different. It may take several hours over one or more visits. It will include interviews with the child and parents or guardians. An evaluation may include:

• Details about the behaviors, for example:

  • When do they happen and how long do they last?

  • What are the conditions in which the behaviors most often happen?

  • How do they affect school work and other activities? How do they affect relationships with others (such as family, classmates, or teachers)?

  • What has been tried in the past to help the child?

• List of symptoms (physical and mental)

• Personal and family history of emotional, behavioral, or developmental disorders

• Complete health history. This includes details of the child's overall physical health, including illnesses or conditions and any treatments currently given.

• Lab tests, in some cases (may be used to find a medical problem). Tests may include:

  • Blood tests.

  • Radiology studies to look for problems, especially in the brain.

  • Educational assessments.

  • Speech and language assessments.

  • Psychological assessments.

What are some concerns of parents when a child is being evaluated?

It's natural, and quite common, for a parent to question themselves when their child needs to be seen by a psychiatrist. Parents may have many questions and concerns about their child's well-being. Common questions include:

• What's wrong with my child?

• Is my child abnormal?

• Did I do something wrong in raising them to cause this condition?

• Does my child need to be in a hospital?

• Will my child need treatment?

• Will my child "outgrow" these behaviors?

• Will my other child/children also have this condition?

• Is this just "a phase" my child is going through?

• What will treatment cost?

• Where do I go for help for my child?

• What does this diagnosis mean?

• How can my family become involved?

If a diagnosis is made, family involvement in treatment is very important. Your child's doctor or mental health provider will address your questions and try to reassure you. They will work with you to create long-term and short-term treatment goals for your child.