Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders | Assessment and diagnosis

Definition

The psychological assessment is a structured interview that gathers information from and/or tests a person to evaluate a mental health complaint.

Purpose

The psychological assessment (also called the biopsychosocial or psychiatric assessment) gathers information to diagnose any mental disorder that the person may have; it is the first step in treating a diagnosed disorder. The process typically starts with a chief complaint or presenting problem-this is usually what prompts the person to seek help. A complete psychological assessment should include:

• biopsychosocial history
• neurological assessment
• psychological testing (if applicable)
• physical examination (if required by a