Clinical assessment and investigation in psychiatry

The assessment of patients with mental health problems is often seen as different from assessment in other areas of medicine. However, it has much in common with any area of medicine in which taking a good history is vital. It should be conducted in a systematic way using good interview techniques. Clear knowledge and understanding of the signs of mental illness is essential for accurate assessment. The assessment should allow the clinician to reach a differential diagnosis, and to estimate how much confidence can be placed in the primary diagnosis.