The three important components of this interview are patient history, health examination and clinical judgment. Patient history includes gathering information about previous medical conditions and medications.

The Psychiatric Interview involves a balance of being empathetic, asking the right questions, and thinking about the diagnostic criteria carefully for psychiatric disorders. Remember, everyone has a different way of interviewing, but every question you ask should have a purpose. Are you trying to elicit symptoms?

Gather information: Conduct a face-to-face interview with the patient to gather information about their mental health history, current symptoms, and any psychosocial stressors. Review the patient's medical records, including previous psychiatric evaluations, treatment history, and any relevant social or family history.