Ruling out Conditions for a Mental Health Diagnosis

Ruling out Conditions for a Mental Health Diagnosis Basics Print Ruling Out Conditions for a Mental Health Diagnosis By Amy Morin, LCSW facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our editorial policy Amy Morin, LCSW Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on January 18, 2020 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 03, 2020 izusek / E / Getty Images More in Psychology Basics Psychotherapy Student Resources History and Biographies Theories Phobias Emotions Sleep and Dreaming The term rule out is used by mental health professionals who are trying to make an accurate diagnosis. The symptoms of many mental health conditions are similar or overlap so before a clear diagnosis can be made, clinicians must rule out a variety of other conditions.?? If your teen is having trouble concentrating, a therapist may want to rule out ADHD or PTSD. Or, if your teen seems depressed, a mental health professional may want to rule out bipolar disorder before making a depressive disorder diagnosis.   Figuring Out the Right Diagnosis Finding an accurate diagnosis for  troubled teens can be difficult and initially several possible mental health disorders  may seem to explain your teens emotional or behavioral problems.?? Because of this, the process of finding a correct diagnosis is conducted in a logical, step-by-step manner that considers all the possibilities, and then narrows them down to the diagnosis or diagnoses (sometimes more than one) that most closely match your teens symptoms. Getting the right diagnosis is extremely important in order to be able to successfully treat your teens symptoms. Its a mental health professionals job to use different methods to figure out exactly which disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual  (DSM-5) fits your teen best.  ?? Through this process, which is also used with medical conditions, the most accurate diagnosis is reached through a process of elimination. A clinician determines the best diagnosis by methodically discarding the ones that do not fit.   An Example of the Difficulty of Diagnosis Defiant behavior may be a symptom of several conditions, such as oppositional  defiant disorder,  depression, or substance abuse. But a little defiance may not necessarily signal a mental health issue. Oppositional behavior may also stem from past trauma or learned behavior from an unhealthy group of friends.  The mental health professional evaluating this teen is likely to say, “First we will rule out depression, then we will consider other possibilities.”?? Steps Mental Health Professionals Use to Rule Out Diagnoses Mental illnesses arent always cut and dried. Professionals dont simply use a checklist to arrive at a diagnosis. Instead, most conditions are diagnosed after a series of interviews where a clinician considers an individuals background and environment. This is important because symptoms need to be taken in context. For example, a teen who is misbehaving at school may be acting out because he has a learning disability or because hes bullied, not necessarily because he has a primary behavior disorder.?? The  mental health professional  will gather information about your teen. A thorough history is obtained and the clinician will consider information from a variety of sources, including the teen, parents, physician, and teachers.  A clinician may interview everyone or might provide forms to fill out.Substance abuse issues are considered. If there is substance abuse involved, the clinician needs to figure out to what degree your teens symptoms may be due to the substance abuse or if he is abusing the substance because of the psychiatric symptoms. Depression and anxiety disorders, for example, often increase a teens risk for substance abuse.Medical problems are considered. The next step is ruling out a medical condition as the cause of your teens psychiatric symptoms. For example, an untreated thyroid condition can cause depression.  Environmental issues are assessed. Sometimes, mental health issues stem from stressful life events. Past trauma or a recent change, such as moving to a ne w city, may temporarily cause problems for a teen.Psychiatric issues are considered. Mental health providers will use the DSM-5 to consider potential mental health disorders. Symptoms are compared and a clinician may establish a clear diagnosis.  The impact on your teens life is considered. A clinician will consider how much functioning is impaired. A clinician will evaluate whether your teens symptoms are impacting her life enough to warrant a diagnosis. Mild anxiety that doesnt impact a teens social life, education, or work may not meet the requirement for mental health diagnosis. How Mental Health Professionals Use the DSM Today How to Get Help For Your Teen If you suspect your teen may have a mental health condition, seek professional help. Start by talking to your teens physician. Express any concerns you have about your teens mood or behavior. Your teens physician may make a referral to a therapist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional. A thorough assessment and evaluation can help a clinician rule out specific mental health conditions while also arriving at an accurate diagnosis if a diagnosis is warranted.