How to Diagnose a Mental Disorder

The diagnosis of a mental disorder is reserved for those who have adequate training in psychology or psychiatric care. Licensed psychologists and psychiatrists are both able to diagnose a mental disorder based on a variety of observations of an individual. Successfully identifying a mental disorder and diagnosing takes skill and knowledge that's only received at a graduate level.

Things You'll Need

• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV)

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to the client and ask questions about their medical and psychological background and the background of their family. Obtaining a picture of family history is especially important as mental disorders tend to run in families. Include questions about past mental disorder diagnoses, if any, as well as about past physical health problems.

• 2

  Assess the patient's current life anxieties by probing and asking questions about current family life, any stressors that they have, and their current mental state. Be sure to include many open-ended questions so that patients have a chance to tell their whole story. Record all of the information in a case journal or on a notepad.

• 3

  Record observations that are important in the diagnosis of a mental disorder. For example, a person's appearance and stature can reflect a depressed and sunken mood. Trained mental health professionals should also be versed in observing other domains such as thought patterns, behaviors, and attitudes. List all of these observations in your client case notes.

• 4

  Ask questions about common physical symptoms of mental illnesses that will help you make a mental disorder diagnosis. Record all of these symptoms with the rest of your case notes. Common depression symptoms include feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, concentration and sleeping problems, and loss of interest and fatigue. Other classic symptoms of mental disorders can be found by referring to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

• 5

  Record any diagnostic specifiers that you have observed or are aware about in the patient. Specifiers are specific symptoms that help to narrow down a diagnosis of a mental disorder so that a well-designed and efficient treatment program can be implemented. For example, some of the diagnostic specifiers for major depression include chronic symptoms, catatonic or melancholic features, and even atypical features. Referring to the DSM-IV can help in identifying these specifiers.

• 6

  Administer a mental status examination (MSE) that uses several neuropsychological testing instruments. These tests will show any impairments in cognitive functioning and are important in identifying the severity of mental disorders. Examples of domains that can be measured with neuropsychological test instruments include processing speed, memory, recall, and spatial abilities. Some examples of tests that can be used include the Woodcock Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery and the CDR Computerized Assessment System.

• 7

  Organize your case notes and all of the observations that you made, as well as the symptoms that were mentioned by the client. Include all physical and emotional symptoms and any diagnostic specifiers when organizing your notes.

• 8

  Refer to the DSM-IV to narrow down any mental disorders that your client could be suffering from. This manual contains a comprehensive listing of all possible mental disorders and their symptoms. Make the diagnosis of your patient's mental disorder based on information learned from the DSM-IV and all of your case notes and any past clinical experience.