How does a psychiatric assessment work?

Written and professionally reviewed by Martin Bergholtz, doctor in specialist training in psychiatry
Last updated: September 2026

The purpose of a psychiatric assessment is to create a thorough understanding of the symptoms and challenges you experience. The assessment examines both whether the symptoms may be an expression of a psychiatric diagnosis and whether there may be other factors contributing to your difficulties.

Many people seek a psychiatric assessment because they have for a long time had problems with, for example, concentration, structure, restlessness, social interaction, anxiety, low mood or emotional regulation. For some, a particular diagnosis is suspected, while others first and foremost want a better understanding of why they feel the way they do.

A thorough assessment is therefore not only about making a diagnosis. It should give a nuanced picture of your situation and form the basis for relevant recommendations for treatment and support.

What is a psychiatric assessment?

A psychiatric assessment is an overall clinical evaluation of your mental symptoms, your developmental history and your current functioning in everyday life. The assessment may concern, among other things, ADHD, autism, anxiety, OCD, depression, PTSD or personality-related difficulties.

The content is always tailored to the individual. There is therefore no single assessment course that suits everyone. Some issues can be clarified in a few sessions, while others require a more extensive course with diagnostic interviews, questionnaires, testing and information from relatives.

What matters is that the evaluation is not based solely on individual symptoms or a test result. Symptoms such as concentration difficulties, restlessness, sleep problems and mental fatigue can occur in several different conditions. They may, for example, be related to ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, strain, trauma or long-term stress.

How does a psychiatric assessment begin?

A psychiatric assessment typically begins with an initial clinical consultation. Here we talk about why you are seeking an assessment, which symptoms you experience and how they affect your life.

The consultation may cover, among other things:

• Your current mental symptoms
• When the difficulties began
• Your childhood and developmental history
• Schooling, education and working life
• Social relationships and family life
• Previous mental strain or courses of treatment
• Sleep, energy level and daily functioning
• Physical health and any medication
• Mental health or neuropsychiatric conditions in the family

The aim is to form a holistic picture of you and your situation. This makes it possible to assess which areas need closer examination and how the rest of the assessment is best planned.

Diagnostic interviews and tests

As part of a psychiatric assessment, recognised diagnostic interviews, questionnaires and psychological tests may be used. The choice of tools depends on the issue being examined.

If ADHD is suspected, the assessment may, for example, include a DIVA-5 interview, which systematically examines symptoms of attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity in both childhood and adulthood.

If autism is suspected, autism-specific interviews, observations and questionnaires may be used. These may include AAA, ADOS-2 or RAADS-R, when considered relevant as part of the overall clinical assessment.

Other interviews and tools may be used if, among other things, OCD, anxiety, depression, PTSD or personality disorders are suspected.

A questionnaire or test cannot stand alone. The results must always be interpreted together with the information from the clinical consultations, your developmental history and your functioning in everyday life.

Why is childhood examined?

In assessments for ADHD and autism, developmental history is particularly important, because these are neuropsychiatric conditions that begin early in life. This does not necessarily mean that the difficulties were discovered or diagnosed in childhood.

Some have managed academically or socially through high intelligence, strong coping strategies, support from their family or very fixed routines. Others have learned to hide or compensate for their difficulties. The symptoms may therefore only become apparent later, when demands for independence, planning and social adaptation increase.

As part of the assessment, it may therefore be relevant to include school reports, previous medical records or descriptions from a parent or another person who knew you as a child.

However, it is not always possible to obtain information from childhood. In that case, the assessment is made on the basis of all the material available.

Involving relatives

In some assessment courses, it may be relevant to invite a relative to a session or to obtain information through a questionnaire. This may be a parent, partner, sibling or another person who knows you well.

Relatives can contribute concrete observations and help shed light on how your difficulties have shown throughout life. Relatives are as a rule involved in dialogue with you and with respect for which information you want to share.

Assessing other possible explanations

A central part of a psychiatric assessment is to examine whether the symptoms are best explained by the suspected diagnosis, or whether other mental, physical or social factors play a significant role.

Concentration difficulties can, for example, be seen in ADHD, but also with lack of sleep, stress, anxiety, depression, trauma or physical illness. Social exhaustion and a need for predictability can be associated with autism, but can also occur with, among other things, social anxiety or long-term strain.

Several conditions can also be present at the same time. This is called comorbidity. A person may, for example, have both ADHD and autism, or at the same time experience anxiety, depression or OCD.

The aim is not to look for as many diagnoses as possible, but to arrive at the explanation that best reflects your overall symptoms, your developmental history and your functional impairment.

The psychiatric evaluation

If the assessment includes a medical or psychiatric evaluation, you will also be asked about physical health, previous illnesses, medication, sleep, alcohol and any use of other substances.

If medical treatment is being considered, further examinations may be needed, for example blood pressure, pulse, blood tests or ECG. This depends, among other things, on the specific treatment and your health situation.

The psychiatric evaluation helps ensure that diagnoses, treatment options and any medical factors are assessed together.

Feedback and conclusion

When the assessment is complete, the information from consultations, interviews, questionnaires, tests and any relatives is brought together. On that basis, an overall clinical assessment is made.

At the final feedback session we go through:

• What the assessment has shown
• Whether the criteria for a diagnosis are met
• How your symptoms and reaction patterns can be understood
• Your resources and any compensation strategies
• Recommendations for treatment, support and next steps

If the criteria for a particular diagnosis are not met, it does not mean that your difficulties are not real. The assessment can still provide an important understanding of your symptoms and point to relevant options for help.

You will typically receive a written summary or discharge summary describing the results and recommendations of the assessment.

What happens after the assessment?

The next steps depend on the conclusion of the assessment and your individual needs. The recommendations may include, among other things:

• Psychoeducation and a better understanding of your own reaction patterns
• Psychotherapeutic treatment
• Medical treatment or an assessment of it
• Help with structure, planning and energy management
• Support in connection with education or work
• Guidance for relatives
• Contact with your GP or other relevant services

A diagnosis can give access to relevant treatment options and support schemes, but it can also be valuable by creating greater self-understanding. For many, the assessment becomes the beginning of a process in which previous experiences and difficulties make more sense.

How long does a psychiatric assessment take?

The length of a psychiatric assessment depends on the issue and its complexity. Some courses can be completed relatively quickly, while others require several sessions and additional examinations.

It may depend, among other things, on:

• Which diagnoses are being assessed
• Whether there are several simultaneous issues
• Whether relatives need to be involved
• Whether psychological testing is needed
• Whether previous records or other information need to be obtained

At the start of the course you should receive information about the expected content, scope and price.

Psychiatric assessment at Nordisk Psykiatri

At Nordisk Psykiatri we offer thorough psychiatric assessment of adults. Psychologist and doctor work closely together, so that psychological, diagnostic and medical perspectives can be included in the overall assessment.

The assessment is planned individually and is based on your developmental history, your current life situation and the way your difficulties affect everyday life. We emphasise high professional standards, clear information and a safe and respectful environment.

If you have questions about a psychiatric assessment, or are unsure which course is right for you, you are welcome to contact us.

Also read: the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist and ADHD, anxiety and depression.

Frequently asked questions about psychiatric assessment

Do I need to know which diagnosis I want to be assessed for?

No. You do not need to know in advance which diagnosis may be involved. The initial consultation is used, among other things, to clarify your symptoms and assess what is relevant to examine further.

Can you have several psychiatric diagnoses at the same time?

Yes. It is possible to have several simultaneous conditions, for example ADHD and autism or ADHD and anxiety. A thorough assessment therefore examines broadly and evaluates how the different symptoms are connected.

Can a test alone determine whether I have a diagnosis?

No. Diagnostic interviews, questionnaires and tests are aids. A diagnosis is made on the basis of an overall clinical assessment that includes, among other things, symptoms, developmental history and functional impairment.

Do my relatives need to take part?

Not necessarily. In some cases, information from a relative can be valuable, especially in assessments for ADHD or autism. The need is assessed individually and discussed with you.

What happens if I do not get a diagnosis?

You can still get an explanation of your difficulties and recommendations for relevant help. The fact that the criteria for a particular diagnosis are not met does not mean that your symptoms or challenges are not real.