What is a Psychiatric Evaluation?
A psychiatric evaluation is a structured conversation with a licensed psychiatric provider to get to the bottom of what is going on. It is not a quiz and it is not something to be nervous about. It is your chance to talk honestly about what you are dealing with so we can figure out the right diagnosis and the right treatment.
Getting the diagnosis right matters more than most people realize. Anxiety and ADHD can look almost identical. Early bipolar disorder gets mistaken for depression. PTSD shows up as anxiety or irritability for years before anyone connects the dots. A good evaluation sorts that out.
What Happens During the Evaluation
Your first visit is about 60 minutes. We cover your current symptoms, when they started, what triggers them, and what you have tried before. We ask about your medical and family history. We may use screening tools, but the real value is in the conversation.
For children and teens, we involve parents to get the complete picture.
After the Evaluation
You walk out with a diagnosis and a plan. If medication is the right step, we can often prescribe the same day. If GeneSight testing would help us pick the right medication, we get that started too.
Insurance and Payment
Psychiatric evaluations are covered by most plans. We accept Blue Cross NC, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and NC Medicaid (Healthy Blue, WellCare, AmeriHealth Caritas). Cash pay is available.
When to Schedule
If something has been off and you cannot quite name it. If your symptoms are affecting your work, your sleep, or your relationships. If you have been managing on your own and it is getting harder. An evaluation is the starting point -- and you do not need a referral to book one.
Related Conditions We Treat
PTSD Evaluation
Trauma changes how your brain processes the world. If you are dealing with flashbacks, trouble sleeping, feeling on edge all the time, or avoiding places and people that bring back memories -- you do not have to carry that alone. Our providers across Wilmington and southeastern North Carolina create a safe space to talk about what you are going through and find a way forward.
Medication can help take the edge off PTSD symptoms. SSRIs are the most common starting point -- they help with the anxiety, the mood changes, and the intrusive memories. If nightmares are a big part of your experience, we may also use prazosin to help you get real rest. We move at your pace and check in often.
Healing from trauma is not a straight line, and we understand that. Our approach is steady follow-up and honest check-ins. We adjust your treatment as things change, celebrate the wins, and stay by your side through the harder days.
Bipolar Disorder Assessment
If you have been treated for depression but nothing seems to work -- or if you notice times when your mood swings the other direction into unusual energy, big ideas, or risky choices -- bipolar disorder may be the missing piece. Our providers across Wilmington and southeastern North Carolina take the time to understand your full story, not just a snapshot.
A good bipolar evaluation looks at your entire mood history. We ask about the highs and the lows, how long they last, what triggers them, and how they affect your relationships and daily life. Many people do not realize their "good days" are actually hypomanic episodes until someone asks the right questions.
Treatment for bipolar disorder is different from treating depression alone. Mood stabilizers are the foundation, and getting started on the right one early makes a real difference. We walk through your options together and check in regularly to make sure you are feeling stable and supported.
