PSYCH 067: Medical Assessment and Laboratory Testing in Psychiatry

Clinical Deep Dives · Jul 21, 2026 · 1h 12m

This chapter explores one of the most important principles in psychiatric practice: psychiatric symptoms do not always originate from psychiatric illness. The assessment of patients presenting with psychological or behavioural symptoms requires careful consideration of underlying medical, neurological, endocrine, infectious, metabolic, and pharmacological causes.

Psychiatry occupies a unique position at the intersection of medicine and mental health. Changes in mood, cognition, perception, behaviour, or personality may arise from disorders affecting virtually any organ system. A comprehensive…