Psychological Diagnostic Testing
How Can it Aid Diagnosis of Mental Disorders?
Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluations at J. Flowers Health Institute
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What is Psychological Diagnostic Testing
Table of Contents
Psychological diagnostic tests measure the subject’s intelligence, cognition, mental abilities, and behavior. They also help predict possible future outcomes of mental health. Studies have found that low childhood I.Q. increases the risk of mental illness later in life.1
Increasing Use of Psychological Tests for Non-Medical Purposes
9 in 10 business firms use or plan on using psychological diagnostic tests while hiring employees. In the early 90s, about 20 million people in the U.S. took tests each year.2
What are the Uses of Psychological Diagnostic Testing?
- Help diagnose mental illness
- Collect information about mental abilities, strengths, and weaknesses
- Create a treatment plan
- Assess personality, intelligence, and neuropsychological functioning
- Determine whether a patient is eligible for a specific treatment
Who Provides Referrals for Psychological Diagnostic Testing?
- Parents
- Family physicians
- Pediatricians
- Neurologists
- Psychiatrists
- Non-testing psychologists
- Licensed mental health clinicians
- Nurse practitioners
Reasons for a Referral
- An unpleasant experience such as excessive fear
- Symptoms of a mental illness such as depression
- Bizarre behaviors that cause problems at school or in the workplace
- Memory and attention problems
- Severe mood swings
- Feelings of hopelessness and extreme guilt
- Personality changes
- Fatigue and low energy levels
- Recurrent suicidal thoughts or attempts
Psychological Diagnostic Test vs. Psychological Assessment
The History of Psychological Testing
1800s
- 1890: American psychologist James McKeen Cattell first used the term "mental test." He was the first professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. In 1988 he developed many tests to measure the mental functions of college students.7
- 1892: The American Psychological Association (APA) was founded. The APA regulates psychological research, education, and publication in the U.S.
Early 1900s
- 1905: French psychologist Alfred Binet developed an intelligence test for children called the Binet–Simon Scale. The test would later become the basis for what we call the "I.Q. test" today.
- 1916: The Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale was published. This scale was a refined version of the Binet-Simon Scale.
- 1918: Hermann Rorschach developed the Rorschach Inkblot Method in which an examiner asks people to describe abstract images (inkblots). Their ways of describing the inkblots reveal their psychological types.
1930s
- 1935: Christiana Morgan and Henry Murray published the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). The TAT uses cards that have black and white drawings showing day-to-day life activities. The test-takers way of describing the cards yields information about their motivation and mental status. Today, the TAT is frequently used to diagnose psychological issues.
- 1935: Christiana Morgan and Henry Murray published the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT). The TAT uses cards that have black and white drawings showing day-to-day life activities. The test-takers way of describing the cards yields information about their motivation and mental status. Today, the TAT is frequently used to diagnose psychological issues.
- 1939: David Wechsler introduced the Wechsler-Bellevue scale.8 This scale measures a person's intelligence, memory, and thought processes. It uses questions and nonverbal approaches, such as solving puzzles.
Current Era
- Early 1970s: Theodore Millon developed several tools to measure personality traits and identify mental illnesses. Examiners started using computers to take tests and interpret the results.
- 1976: The International Test Commission (ITC) came into existence. The ITC played a crucial role in developing standards for the ethical use of psychological tests.
- 1988: The American Psychological Society was established. Now it is known as the Association for Psychological Science (APS). This non-profit organization informs the public about recent research findings in psychology.
What is a Psychologist?
They are trained in conducting mental health assessments, research, and organizational consultations. Some work in colleges or universities. Others work in hospitals or clinics. The military, the government, and business firms also employ psychologists.
Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists are not medical doctors. Thus, they are not allowed to prescribe drugs to treat psychiatric illnesses. Nonetheless, some states have given prescriptive authority to psychologists. These states are Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, New Mexico, and Louisiana.
- This may also include the symptoms of organic mental disorders
What Types of Diagnostic Tests do Psychologists Use?
Intelligence/Cognitive Tests to Check for Learning Disabilities
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
- Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
- Mini-Cog
Behavioral and Personality Tests
- Rorschach
- TAT
- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)
The MMPI first became available in 1940. The revised version (MMPI-2) was published in 1989.11
This test measures a person’s psychological state. It helps assess mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Psychological Diagnostic Test Reports
- Information about how the patient behaves and cooperates with the examiner
- Results of the tests taken
- Bizarre behaviors that cause problems at school or in the workplace
- Summary of the findings and recommendations for further care
- Severe mood swings
- Feelings of hopelessness and extreme guilt
- Personality changes
- Fatigue and low energy levels
- Recurrent suicidal thoughts or attempts
What Do Psychological Diagnostic Tests Tell Psychologists?
Diagnosing Common Types of Mental Illness
Depression
Depression is more than normal sadness. It causes prolonged periods of grief, hopelessness, and helplessness. Depression is one of the leading causes of suicide. Each year, 16 million American adults have some form of depression.13
Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety is the body's response to a real or perceived threat. It causes feelings of excessive worry and fear. Anxiety disorders affect 40 million American adults.14
Eating Disorders
People with eating disorders may either overeat or starve themselves. Some people may have both of these disorders. About 30 million people in the U.S. will have eating disorders during their lifetimes.15
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADHD commonly affects children aged 3 to 6 years. Some of them may continue to have the symptoms through their adulthood. ADHD causes hyperactivity, impulsivity, and problems with attention. About 6.1 million children in the U.S. have ADHD.16
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Some people who have experienced or seen a traumatic event may have PTSD. PTSD causes flashbacks of the event, nightmares, and severe distress. Estimates suggest that 8 million Americans aged 18 years and older have PTSD.17
Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Addiction is a long-term mental disorder. People with addiction continue using alcohol or drugs despite the known harms. Addiction increases the risk of fatal overdoses. According to the CDC, drug overdoses caused 70,237 deaths in 2017.18
Autism
Autism usually begins in the first year of life. It causes problems with how a child communicates and socializes. Symptoms can include delayed speech, poor eye contact, and difficulty following directions. 1 in 59 children aged 8 years had autism in 2014.19
Learning Disabilities
A child with a learning disability has problems speaking, reading, and writing. Likewise, some may not be able to follow directions. Learning disabilities are not associated with intelligence.
Some common learning disabilities are:
- Dyspraxia (speech difficulties)
- Dyscalculia (problems with doing math)
Personality Disorders
These disorders affect how a person thinks, behaves, and interacts in society. A person with a paranoid personality disorder has a distrust of the people around them. About 9.2 million people in the U.S. have a paranoid personality disorder.20
How Psychologists and Medical Teams Work Together
After about a week, the patient (or a family member) will visit the psychologist to get a diagnosis. They may also inquire about the results of the test and recommendations.
First, the psychologist will take an hour-long interview. They will ask questions about the patient's concerns and family history. Moreover, they will help the patient understand the importance of the test. With the patient's consent, they will check records from the patient's physician, neurologist, and teachers.
On the next day, the patient will take the test. This may take one to five hours, depending on the type of test. Breaks will be provided, such as a lunch break or bathroom breaks. The test may have more than one session.
On the next day, the patient will take the test. This may take one to five hours, depending on the type of test. Breaks will be provided, such as a lunch break or bathroom breaks. The test may have more than one session.
The psychologist will tell the diagnosis and explain what it means. They will also recommend therapies. If the patient is not happy with the diagnosis, they may ask for a second or another test.
What are the Risks Associated with Psychological Diagnostic Testing?
Why Psychologists are Important to Recovery
Diagnosis
- Up to 70% of depressed people do not receive a diagnosis of depression in primary care.21
- 4 in 10 people who die by suicide have visited their primary care physician within 30 days before their suicide.22
- 69% of people with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed in the initial stages.23
- 33% of people with bipolar disorder remain misdiagnosed for over a decade.24
Treatment
A psychologist can not only help with diagnosis but also treat a mental disorder. They can differentiate between psychological and physical causes of mental illness. With their knowledge of human behavior, an effective treatment plan can be developed. Notably, psychological interventions can help people stick to their treatment plans. Medications combined with psychotherapy often give the best results. Wellness is within reach.
Resources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19047325-childhood-iq-and-adult-mental-disorders-a-test-of-the-cognitive-reserve-hypothesis/
- https://books.google.com.np/books?id=8EYdCAAAQBAJ&pg=PT61&lpg=PT61&dq=psychological+test+publishing+market+US&source=bl&ots=VhkS6U3lrt&sig=ACfU3U1PZmQE9r3bgSaLC5kaEODASPc8RA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4mr60r9vnAhVHfSsKHXYkDKoQ6AEwBnoECAwQAQ#v=onepage&q=psychological%20test%20publishing%20market%20US&f=false
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK305233/
- https://www.pearsonassessments.com/content/dam/school/global/clinical/us/assets/q-interactive/The_Evolution_of_Psych_Testing_Embark_on_Digital_Assess_Pade_Final.pdf
- https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/dh05te.html
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128022191000018
- https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-McKeen-Cattell
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/073428299000800306
- https://www.apa.org/monitor/apr02/newmexico
- https://dictionary.apa.org/psychologist
- https://academic.oup.com/occmed/article/59/2/135/1387433
- https://knightadrc.wustl.edu/cdr/cdr.htm
- https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/depression-anxiety.html
- https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/features/cdc-eating-disorders-tracking/
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
- https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
- https://sardaa.org/resources/about-schizophrenia/
- https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/deaths/index.html
- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/autism-spectrum-disorder-asd.shtml
- https://www.ncld.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-State-of-LD.pdf
- https://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/1015/p1426.html
- https://www.apa.org/health/briefs/primary-care.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2945875/
