To Prepare:
Review this week’s Learning Resources. Consider the insights they provide about assessing and diagnosing
mood disorders.
Download the Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation Template, which you will use to complete this
Assignment. Also review the Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation Exemplar to see an example of a completed
evaluation document.
By Day 1 of this week, select a specific video case study to use for this Assignment from the Video Case
Selections choices in the Learning Resources. View your assigned video case and review the additional data for
the case in the “Case History Reports” document, keeping the requirements of the evaluation template in mind.
Consider what history would be necessary to collect from this patient.
Consider what interview questions you would need to ask this patient.
Identify at least three possible differential diagnoses for the patient.
By Day 7 of Week 3
Complete and submit your Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation, including your differential diagnosis and
critical-thinking process to formulate a primary diagnosis. Incorporate the following into your responses in the
template:
Subjective: What details did the patient provide regarding their chief complaint and symptomology to derive
your differential diagnosis? What is the duration and severity of their symptoms? How are their symptoms
impacting their functioning in life?
Objective: What observations did you make during the psychiatric assessment?
Assessment: Discuss the patient’s mental status examination results. What were your differential diagnoses?
Provide a minimum of three possible diagnoses with supporting evidence, listed in order from highest priority to
lowest priority. Compare the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for each differential diagnosis and explain what DSM-5
criteria rules out the differential diagnosis to find an accurate diagnosis. Explain the critical-thinking process that
led you to the primary diagnosis you selected. Include pertinent positives and pertinent negatives for the specific
patient case.
Reflection notes: What would you do differently with this client if you could conduct the session over? Also
include in your reflection a discussion related to legal/ethical considerations (demonstrate critical thinking
beyond confidentiality and consent for treatment!), health promotion and disease prevention taking into
consideration patient factors (such as age, ethnic group, etc.), PMH, and other risk factors (e.g., socioeconomic,
cultural background, etc.).
