Diagnosis and
Beyond
Presented by:
On:
At:
Aims of this Session
• What is a Diagnosis?
• How is a Diagnosis made?
• How will Diagnosis affect my
treatment?
• What’s it like to be Diagnosed?
• What does Diagnosis mean for
Recovery?
What is Diagnosis?
• : the act of identifying a disease,
illness, or problem by examining
someone or something
• Diagnosis is made in both physical
and mental illness
• Psychiatrists often use the term
‘Disorders’ to refer to mental illness
Some Diagnoses
How is a diagnosis made?
• Symptoms (Thought, feelings, behaviour)-->
• Evaluation/Assessment by Dr/MH prof
(Meeting & Talking)-->
• Collateral (Sources of info besides patient)-->
• Mental State Examination (see next slide) -->
• Investigations (e.g. Blood tests)-->
• Formulation (Putting everything together)-->
• Diagnosis...
Psychiatric Assessment
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1) Presenting Problems and History of Presenting Problems (symptoms)
2) Past Mental Health History
3) Medical History (incl. current and past medication)
4) Family History of mental illness
5) Personal History (incl. developmental, early childhood events, traumatic
events, education, work, relationships, offspring)
6) Social History (incl. housing, income/financial issues, social
supports/network, activities/interests, daily functioning)
7) Substance misuse/addiction history
8) Forensic history
9) Collateral
Mental State Examination:
Appearance, Behaviour, Speech, Mood, Affect, Thought Process/Form
(eg.delusions), Thought Content (eg.suicidal thoughts, cognitive
distortions), Perceptions (eg.hallucinations), Cognitions
(attention/concentration/memory), Insight and Judgement)
How is a diagnosis made?
• Doctors have guidelines. The guidelines
for diagnosis and classification of mental
disorders are set out in two books called
the ‘DSM’ and the ‘ICD’.
• Diagnosis can
change over
time
Mental Disorders
• Mental illness
affects:
• Mood
• Thinking
• Behaviour.
DiagnosisTreatment
Exercise
• Each group take a Bio
• Think about what strengths &
qualities each person has
• How would you describe
them?
Exercise
• Now the person has received their
diagnosis.
• What difference does this make in
their lives?
• How might they be feeling?
• What advice would you give to
them?
What it’s like to be diagnosed...?
“Feel cared-for”
“Knowing what’s wrong”
“Diagnosis is only a starting point”
“Find out who your true friends are”
“Don’t have to go to hospital” “Professionalgiven”
“Can move things forward”
“Diagnosis is at a moment in time- none of us
can be sure of the future”
What it’s like to be diagnosed...?
“Getting the right treatment”
“My normal isn’t the same as everyone else’s”
“Get over the guilt of not being able to do stuff
with family members”
“Calm down if feeling frightened”
“Could be helpful for understanding”
“Explanation for a lot of symptoms”
Am I more than my diagnosis?
Recovery is Possible
“Focus on Strengths”
“Believe in Yourself”
“Moment will pass”
“You’ll find something that suits you”
“Learn as you go on”
“Someday”
“Don’t lose hope”
“Love”
“Support them all the way”
“Massive evidence for Recovery”
“Meds don’t define you”
“Take responsibility”
Thank you!
References
• http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/diagnosis [accessed
on 28/9/16]
• Shine (2014) ‘Taking Control of Your Mental
Health’, Seager, P. (Ed.), Shine: Dublin;
available at:
http://www.irishpsychiatry.ie/Libraries/Extern
al_Events_Documents/Shine_Taking_Control_
of_Your_Mental_Health.sflb.ashx