Assessment in adult mental health: Present problems as past history

Summary This paper outlines a guide to professional assessment of mentally disordered adults and their relatives or care-givers. The format is based on the observed and reported experiences of practitioners at pre- and post-qualifying levels over six years whose use of, and comments on, the format have refined its development. Key texts supporting the assessment rationale, most of which remain readily available, are referred to; the purposes of assessment are discussed; and some guidance on aetiological factors is indicated. After a brief consideration of the assessment format itself, an example of a psychosocial assessment report is given. Overall, the emphasis is on the practicality and simplicity of the format, not only as a means to securing essential information, but as a guide to interviewing and, in many instances, to a working alliance with clients.