How Do You Diagnose A Mental Disorder?
The diagnosis of a mental disorder is reserved for those who have adequate training in psychology or psychiatric care. Licensed psychologists and psychiatrists are both able to diagnose a mental disorder based on a variety of observations of an individual. Successfully identifying a mental disorder and diagnosing takes skill and knowledge that’s only received at a graduate level. Talk to the client and ask questions about their medical and psychological background and the background of their family. Obtaining a picture of family history is especially important as mental disorders tend to run in families. Include questions about past mental disorder diagnoses, if any, as well as about past physical health problems. Assess the patient’s current life anxieties by probing and asking questions about current family life, any stressors that they have, and their current mental state. Be sure to include many open-ended questions so that patients have a chance to tell their whole story. Record a
