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Initial Psychiatric Evaluation services offered in Murrieta, CA
Your initial psychiatric evaluation lays the groundwork for receiving treatment that improves your mental health and prepares you for a better future. At Duality Mental Health in Murrieta, California, Olga Jackson, MSN, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, and Adarius Jackson, MSW, LCSW, have extensive experience gently gathering information about a patient’s mental health challenges, diagnosing the cause of their symptoms, and creating a personalized treatment plan. Call the office to seek help for symptoms of anxiety, stress, depression, and behavioral problems. You can also request an in-person or telepsychiatry appointment at any time using the online booking feature.
Initial Psychiatric Evaluation Q & A
What is an initial psychiatric evaluation?
Your first appointment at Duality Mental Health is devoted to an initial psychiatric evaluation. During your evaluation, your provider learns about your symptoms and gathers enough information to determine a psychiatric diagnosis and create a treatment plan to guide your path toward optimal mental health.
When would I need an initial psychiatric evaluation?
You need an initial psychiatric evaluation if you have negative or upsetting feelings and behaviors. You may feel anxious or depressed, worry about angry outbursts, or experience concern about ongoing stress.
Some people seek an initial evaluation when they have mood swings or feel overwhelmed by uncontrollable thoughts. Others are concerned about symptoms like insomnia or the opposite, being drained of energy and sleeping too much.
You may seek a psychiatric evaluation because you can’t get over a traumatic event. Or you might have a hard time communicating and making friends. Concerns like difficulty concentrating, low self-esteem, and struggling with a life transition could need an evaluation.
Anytime you need help with your mental health, the first step is an initial psychiatric evaluation.
What happens during an initial psychiatric evaluation?
Your initial psychiatric evaluation is a conversation between you and your Duality Mental Health provider. They ask questions to learn about your mental, emotional, and behavioral symptoms and how they affect your daily life.
Your provider reviews your medical and mental health history and explores your lifestyle habits, social interactions, work environment, and family life. That may sound overwhelming, but this information helps them understand how your life affects your mental health.
You may need to complete a questionnaire about your emotions and behaviors. While teens can take care of completing forms, your Duality Mental Health provider may also ask parents and teachers to provide supplemental information.
Your provider may recommend cognitive testing to evaluate brain functions like memory and attention, but this testing is separate from your initial evaluation.
Do I need to prepare for an initial psychiatric evaluation?
When you need treatment for a mental health challenge, the only important thing is reaching out, scheduling, and showing up for your evaluation — no preparation is needed.
Duality Mental Health may ask you to complete pre-appointment forms, but don’t let that stop you from meeting with a provider.
Call Duality Mental Health or request an in-person or telepsychiatry appointment online today.