Psychiatric diagnoses are primarily made by recognizing patterns of symptoms and clinical phenomenology, as outlined in DSM-IV-TR. Thus, the first critical steps in the identification of diagnoses are obtaining a thorough history, conducting a comprehensive mental status examination, and performing a focused physical examination. The results of these endeavors help focus attention on areas that need further diagnostic assessment and identify appropriate laboratory tests and procedures (including blood work, neuroimaging, and tests of electrophysiology) that will aid in assessment. When psychiatric symptoms are of acute onset, atypical in nature, or of late onset, or if there is a history of chronic medical illness, a medical cause (rather than primary psychiatric illness) should be suspected.
CME, 1.5 Credits May 20, 2010