When it comes to any sort of assessment and diagnosis, whether it is figuring out what is wrong with your car, plumbing or computer, or something more serious like a medical diagnosis, it is paramount that we get it right as early as possible and most important of all getting it as exact as possible.
Psychological assessment today, in the context of mental health, it is like shining a bright light to find what we are looking for in the dark. In this context, it is discerning accurately a patient’s mental health issues.
Over the years the tools of psychological assessment have been refined and sharpened. We are better able to understand the complexities of mental health in the modern world. At the same time, it is a given that we are living more complex and stressful lives, not considering new stressors like social media or the current state of the world. This article is about why accurate diagnosis is key to early and effective treatment for mental health conditions and learning disabilities, we take a peek at what makes psychological assessment, and the differences between diagnostic tools for mental health and learning disabilities.
Why is accurate assessment so important?
In the context of family mental health and the development of children, accurate assessment can help parents understand their child’s learning or mental health needs. This can lead to more positive outcomes for the child’s learning, development as a person, and their relationships with family, friends, teachers, and classmates.
For adults, an accurate assessment of their mental health needs goes very far in terms of getting the right treatment for the right condition. Treatment of mental health issues, in many cases, takes months or even years.
A wrong diagnosis needs to be avoided at all costs.
Wrong treatment – in these cases, , a misdiagnosis can have consequences. For clients, this might mean ineffective treatment of non-existent conditions (psychological intervention or drug therapies).
Demoralisation and avoidance of seeking future intervention – another possible consequence for misdiagnosis of mental health or learning disability can result in a sense of hopelessness which can then lead to clients refusing further.
Consumption of valuable resources – money can be earned but time lost can never be recovered.
In general, a misdiagnosed patient might possibly develop feelings of shame if they feel they are not making any progress.
But what exactly are psychological assessments?
A basket of tools
In many instances psychometric assessment tools are like diagnostic tools used by medical professionals to investigate what’s wrong physiologically, like an X-ray or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. There are a wide variety of psychological screeners and assessments to cover the range of neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions that exist.
In general, screeners are instruments designed to indicate the likelihood of the absence or presence of a condition. Assessment tools, on the other hand, may provide a more definitive and rigorous approach to diagnosing disorders.
Psychometric testing – are objective measures of a person. They are tools designed to uncover a client’s personality, characteristics, cognitive limits and behaviours. It is a structured process to assess clients.
Medical and school history or medical evaluation– often a patient’s medical and academic records are pertinent to diagnosis.
Biopsychosocial intake information – patient’s past and current medical conditions are taken into consideration along with all manner of relevant medical and psychological evaluations, interventions, school reports, family information, and other relevant background information like work etc.
Interviews – patient is interviewed by clinician, very often it can be as simple as having a conversation.
Observation – patient is observed by the clinician.
For example, a clinician takes the time to speak with a patient to find out more about the patient’s history, relationships in domestic and professional settings, etc. They do this to observe the patient’s thought processes, assumptions and the general disposition of the patient and their communication manner. Along with other tools like questionnaires or other testing, the interview can paint a complete portrait of a patient’s condition.
Academic assessments are different
It is important to note that mental health issues are rather separate and different from learning difficulties though it must be said that there are instances when clients can sometimes have both a mental health condition as well as a learning disability, for example a patient with ADHD might also be clinically depressed.
It is important for clients to understand that each of their conditions is unique to them, and a thorough assessment is therefore important to correct diagnosis. That is why an accredited mental health professional needs to be consulted.
Exam Boards and academic institutions often recognize reports generated by accredited mental health providers and this can help sufferers get exemptions, more time to complete exams, and other aids in their learning.
For more information on the services provided by Clinical Psychology Associates, including both psychological assessment as well as assessment of learning disabilities, please don’t’ hesitate to email: admin@clinpsysg.com
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