Home > Services > Adults > Assessments > Psycho-Affective Disorders
Psycho-Affective Disorders
Psycho‑Affective Evaluation
When an adult experiences psychological distress or difficulties adapting within their family, work or social environment, a comprehensive psycho-affective evaluation may be required.
This evaluation supports a precise and rigorous differential diagnosis, which is critical given the significant symptom overlap between various psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, autism, psychosis or personality disorders.
Identifying the underlying condition with precision enables well-targeted and effective care, leading to a significant improvement in both prognosis and overall quality of life.
FAQ
-
The assessment relies on the analysis of any previous reports, clinical observations made during the sessions, and a battery of standardized tests administered in the office in both written and digital formats. Together, these elements provide a detailed, nuanced, and objective understanding of the patient’s mental functioning.
-
The psychologist receives the patient, sometimes accompanied by a family member. The first appointment is dedicated to an in-depth discussion of the patient’s history, current difficulties, and expectations.
This interview aims to:
Determine whether a diagnostic evaluation is appropriate.
Clarify the assessment protocol (tests selected based on the information gathered).
Present the full evaluation process (number of sessions, duration, report, and feedback session).
Address any questions the patient may have.
Establish a trusting environment, essential for minimizing the impact of anxiety on test performance.
-
It enables the clinician to:
Establish a differential diagnosis.
Gain an in‑depth understanding of the patient’s current emotional state and any potentially pathological aspects of their personality.
Understand how their mental functioning affects their daily life.
Provide tailored recommendations and accommodations for daily living, work, or academic settings.
Guide the patient toward appropriate treatment options such as psychotherapy and—only when necessary—medication.
-
Emotional state: assessment of anxiety and/or depressive symptoms.
Personality: assessment of personality organization, including pathological aspects, and identification of any underlying psychological vulnerabilities.