Week 2 Discussion
Describe the three reasons it is important to gather detailed and extensive information from any patient before you counsel him/her or make medical suggestions. Use evidence-based research to support your position.
The first and probably most important reason to gather detailed and extensive information during the Psychiatric Interview (PI) is to formulate an accurate diagnosis. Establishing an accurate primary diagnosis will formulate the most effective treatment plan for the patient. The diagnosis is developed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness (DSM-5- TR) criteria after obtaining subjective data gathered in the PI and mental status exam (MSE.) The goal of a psychiatric interview and assessment is to describe the patient’s complaints, appearance and existence in an actionable psychological format, namely, one that results in a diagnostic classification (Nordgaard et al, 2023.) The PI not only establishes the primary, secondary and tertiary diagnoses but it constructs the differential diagnoses as well. Differential diagnosis can be important when reassessing the treatment plan at the time of a patient’s follow-up. Also, without an accurate diagnosis we cannot provide an effective plan of care.
The second reason to gather detailed and extensive information from the patient prior to making medical decision or counseling him/her is to individualize the treatment plan to the specific needs of the patient. Obtaining an understanding of their social and family history will guide one to respect any cultural or religious considerations to the patient’s plan of care. Creating a specific treatment plan tailored to the patient’s individual experiences and lifestyle creates a foundation for the patient to be successful in reaching their collaborative goals. Also, individualizing the plan of care helps build a more therapeutic relationship with the patient.
The third reason for gathering detailed information prior to making medical decisions or counseling is that the information gained will provide insight to enhance patient shared decision- making. Incorporating the patient to collaborate on their goals of treatment will have them actively participating in their treatment plan. This active collaboration can improve patient adherence, therefore improving patient outcomes. Incorporating evidence-based practice by reviewing clinical guidelines with patients in shared decision-making can provide the patient with the rationale of their treatment plan. Reviewing clinical guidelines gives the patient a better understanding of the intricacies, the “why” of their treatment plan. Many patients are now doing their own research online and supporting them with evidence-based clinical guidelines instead of Dr Goggle in the shared decision-making practice can be empowering.
Define malingering. Discuss two ways to differentiate between malingering and a DSM-5 diagnosis. Use evidence-based research to support your position.
Malingering is falsification or profound exaggeration of illness (physical or mental) to gain external benefits (gain) such as avoiding work, seeking drugs, avoiding trial, seeking attention, avoiding military services, leave from school, paid leave from a job, among others. It is not a psychiatric illness according to the DSM-5-TR (Alozai et al 2023.) Per DSM-5-TR criteria, malingering does remain a V code and can be a clinical consideration in many disorders. A way to differentiate malingering is external or secondary gain is the necessary component for differentiating malingering from Factitious Disorder.
According to the DSM-5-TR Factitious Disorder (FD) is the falsification of physical or psychological signs or symptoms, or induction of injury or disease associated with identified deception (American Psychiatric Association 2022.) Another point to differentiate FD from malingering, is in FD the patient consciously creates physical or psychological symptoms to obtain the primary gain, assuming the sick role. Malingering is associated with anti-social personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder. In malingering, the patient is consciously lying to receive a benefit and once they achieve this benefit, they stop complaining. There is not any specific intervention or prescribed medication that can treat malingering. The DSM-5-TR suggests that malingering should be a consideration if any of these complaints are noted: medicolegal context, marked discrepancy between the patient’s complaint and objective findings, lack of compliance with treatment/follow-up care and presence of anti-social personality disorder. In summation, malingering can be a challenging facet of patient care and usually handled by interdisciplinary team collaboration for the best outcome.
Week 2 Discussion
2. Reply from William Joseph Sierra Module 2 Discussion: Patient Information
Important information in psychiatric assessment includes taking a comprehensive patient history and performing a complete mental status examination (MSE). Clinicians risk making a mistaken diagnosis, administering the wrong medication, or overlooking safety issues without these components. Lisa displayed paranoia, delusional thinking, auditory hallucinations, and safety hazards, as shown in the video Understanding the MSE – Lisa (Dream Schema Media, 2011). Determining her mental state and possible treatment needs required the counselor to conduct a mental status examination (MSE) and gather comprehensive background information.
Three Reasons Detailed Information Is Essential
For clinicians to properly diagnose and differentiate between psychiatric disorders, substance-induced conditions, and medical illnesses that may mimic psychiatric symptoms, comprehensive patient information is crucial in psychiatric care. In Lisa’s case, her use of cannabis and speed complicated her presentation of paranoia and hallucinations. A careful history revealed medication nonadherence and recent drug use, which were critical to understanding her symptom exacerbation. Research by American Psychiatric Association emphasizes that diagnostic accuracy in psychiatry depends heavily on thorough historical and contextual assessment, particularly when substance use or medical comorbidities may influence symptoms (American Psychiatric Association, 2022).
To assess the risk of suicide, harm to others, and self-protective behaviors, comprehensive information is also required. To protect herself, Lisa acknowledged sleeping in the shed with a knife. This was a deliberate sign of danger that needed immediate attention. Clinicians can detect impending dangers with a structured mental status examination, which offers vital insight into judgment, insight, and thought content (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Clinicians risk missing risky behaviors if they do not inquire about these details.
Furthermore, the development of treatment plans that address symptoms and contextual stressors is guided by a thorough history including social, medical, and psychiatric data. The need for both pharmacological and psychosocial interventions was brought to light by Lisa’s tense relationship with her parents, cohabitation with her boyfriend, and noncompliance with antipsychotic medication. Research by Manolova et al., (2021) demonstrates that for patients with severe mental illness, tailored treatment planning based on thorough evaluation enhances adherence and long-term results (Manolova et al., 2021).
Malingering and Differentiation from DSM-5 Diagnoses
According to the DSM-5, Malingering is the deliberate fabrication or exaggeration of symptoms for outside benefit, such as monetary compensation, evading legal responsibility, or
obtaining medication; it is not a mental illness (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Patients who engage in malingering often display symptom patterns that are inconsistent with recognized psychiatric syndromes. For example, they may overreport bizarre hallucinations or behaviors that are inconsistent with clinical observation. However, Lisa’s symptoms, such as restlessness and reacting to unseen stimuli, were in line with paranoid delusions and auditory hallucinations.
Malingering symptoms also often change depending on external factors, like being observed by an assessor, unlike actual psychiatric symptoms, which typically show persistence or follow recognizable clinical trajectories. For example, in Lisa’s case documented history of substance abuse, medication noncompliance, and paranoia, malingering was unlikely. Tools like structured interviews and psychological testing, like MMPI-2 validity scales, can be used to differentiate malingering from actual mental illness (Manolova et al., 2021). Finally, this process ensures a precise diagnosis, identifies safety risks, and guides personalized treatment planning. Understanding malingering differences from DSM-5 helps prevent mislabelling and ensure patients receive appropriate, evidence-based care.
Week 2 Discussion
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR), 5. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425787
Dream Schema Media. (2011). Understanding the MSE – Lisa (w/- commentary). Www.youtube.com. https://youtu.be/83i2MWMqph8
Manolova, H., Hristova, M., & Staykova, S. (2021). The Importance of Early Psychological Assessment for Differential Diagnosis and Detection of Comorbidity in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.671744
Why is it important to gather patient information, How does detailed information support accurate diagnosis, How does patient history individualize care, What is malingering, How can malingering be differentiated from DSM-5 disorders
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