There are many reasons your health care professional may recommend you undergo a psychological evaluation. It may be part of a complete workup, which consists of a physical and mental evaluation to determine what is causing a specific problem or to determine if you are suffering from depression or another mental disorder. Understanding what to expect during your evaluation will help to put your mind at ease about the process.

Psychological evaluation basics

Most psychological evaluations consist of written or oral tests and the tests can be lengthy. You will be asked a lot of questions, and you may have the option of answering questions on paper or on a computer. You may complete the testing in one visit, or you may need to return for further evaluations if necessary.

Intellectual functioning assessment

You may be asked to complete an IQ test as part of an intellectual functioning assessment. Your score can help your healthcare team understand your cognitive functioning ability. You may also be asked to complete a neuropsychological test to further explore how well your brain is functioning.

Clinical review

During a clinical review, your psychologist asks you specific questions and uses your answers to evaluate you for a variety of conditions. A lot of pertinent information can be gained during a clinical review, and it is one of the key parts of your evaluation process. Your psychologist will usually begin the conversation by asking you some basic questions about yourself, so they can get to know you better and put you at ease.

Personality assessment

Knowing your personality is helpful in determining the best treatment course for your condition if one is diagnosed. Your childhood, background, and family information can affect how you interact with others and how you perceive things in life. These things can have a big impact on your mental health and how you will react to various treatment methods.

Behavioral assessment

Your emotions fuel your behavior and can provide important clues as to why you react the way you do to specific stressors in life or how you interact in social situations. Completing an assessment of your behavior patterns will help your psychologist understand why you handle things the way you do and if you may be more susceptible to certain mental health conditions.

If you have been referred for a psychological evaluation, you may feel anxious and wonder what to expect on your visit. Knowing what to expect will help you feel less anxious and help you prepare for your psychological evaluation. Your healthcare team will also do everything they can to make you feel comfortable throughout the process.

To learn more about psychological evaluations, reach out to a local service provider.