The Psychiatric Interview – Structure, Technique, and Clinical Value
Published by Mind Valley Clinic Introduction The psychiatric interview is the central tool of psychiatry. Unlike other medical specialties, where laboratory tests or imaging provide definitive answers, psychiatry relies primarily on the clinical conversation—the structured, purposeful dialogue between psychiatrist and patient. Conducted with sensitivity and precision, the psychiatric interview is both diagnostic and therapeutic. It […]
The Psychiatric Assessment – How Psychiatrists Understand the Mind
Introduction Unlike physical illness, mental illness often hides beneath the surface—unseen by scans, unheard by blood tests. Understanding the mind requires a different kind of clinical skill: one that listens not only to symptoms, but to stories, silences, and subtleties. A psychiatric assessment is not a one-size-fits-all checklist. It is a comprehensive clinical process, grounded […]
Introduction
In Pakistan and much of South Asia, psychiatry is often misunderstood, misrepresented, or avoided altogether. The term itself is surrounded by cultural stigma and caricature, frequently reduced to labels like “paglon ka doctor.” This perception has done significant harm, not only to those who need care, but to the broader societal understanding of mental illness […]