1. Diagnosis and Beyond
Presented by:
On:
At:

2. 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?

3. 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

4. Some Diagnoses

5. 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...

6. 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)

7. 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

8. Mental illness affects: Mood Thinking Behaviour.
Mental Disorders
Mental illness affects:
Mood
Thinking
Behaviour.
Mental disorders are placed in different categories.

9. DiagnosisTreatment

11. Think about what strengths & qualities each person has
Exercise
Each group take a Bio
Think about what strengths & qualities each person has
How would you describe them?

12. 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?

13. 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” “Professional-given” “Can move things forward” “Diagnosis is at a moment in time- none of us can be sure of the future”

14. 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”

15. Am I more than my diagnosis?

18. 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”

19. Thank you!

20. References
[accessed on 28/9/16]
Shine (2014) ‘Taking Control of Your Mental Health’, Seager, P. (Ed.), Shine: Dublin; available at: