Diagnosing Schizophrenia
When people think of psychiatrists in calgary or Schizophrenia, they often think of doctors who diagnose and treat mental disorders. This is not completely true. Although most psychiatrists work in hospitals, a growing number of psychiatrists are working with individuals in their homes. Many psychiatrists and psychologists are trained for clinical or laboratory tests, but very seldom are they trained in how to conduct the structured interview that is now necessary for research.
The diagnostic criteria used by psychiatrists are based on their training, rather than on findings from empirical research. MMPI (Medical Institute for Public Mental Health) is the acronym for a checklist used in British psychiatric practice. Conducted on a yearly basis, this test covers all aspects of psychological assessment; including temperament, socialization, intelligence, emotional development, verbal skills, and memory. The criteria used by psychiatrists are drawn from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.
The diagnostic manual includes ratings based on each area. In addition to rating depression and mood disorders, a psychologist will also look at behaviors, such as impulsivity, hyperactivity, and sleeplessness. All of these behaviors will be considered part of the disorder, which will then affect treatment. The process of rating the disorder will involve an interview with the patient and a psychologist or psychiatrist who will ask questions about specific memories or experiences that might have had a negative effect on the patient’s ability to function normally.
MMPI testing does not incorporate the cognitive behavioral approach to diagnosing schizophrenia. Instead, it relies on the fact that patients describe how they perceive their symptoms and behaviors. The questions cover every area of experience that the patient has experienced and tries to find patterns. Because the criteria are so vague, however, the reliability of the test is in doubt.
In order to improve the reliability of MMPI results, many psychiatrists have begun to use Rorschach inkblot test scores as part of the diagnostic procedure. The test is widely used test to detect personality disorders such as anti-social behavior and personality disorders like depression. The test was actually invented by Christian Reiss, who based his work on the work of Sigmund Freud. The results of the test show a very high level of reliability, although this reliability has been questioned by other psychologists. Nevertheless, the test has become wildly popular.
In clinical practice, a psychologist will use several different diagnostic tools to diagnose patients with psychiatric disorders. When you meet with a psychologist for treatment, he may use MMPI, Rorschach Inkblot Test (RIT), or other psychological tests to determine which disorder a person may be suffering from. Often, a psychologist will choose one particular diagnostic tool to diagnose a patient. However, in psychiatry, there are four major classifications of disorders.
The first psychiatric classification is mood disorders. Schizophrenia is a common disorder among patients with bipolar disorder, major depressive episodes, and other food related illnesses. The second classification is diagnosis based on cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of disorder is commonly known as “exaggerated self-esteem or just too much self-confidence.” The third classification is diagnosis based on substance abuse and dependency, such as alcoholism and addiction.
Symptoms of each disorder can vary widely. This means that it is important that a psychiatrist be skilled in conducting structured interviews in order to make an accurate diagnosis. These interviews allow the psychiatrist to gain insight into the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of the patient, as well as his ability to function within society. If you suffer from a disorder, a psychiatrist may be able to help you by using the information he gains from your interviews to determine if you have a disorder or not.