Mental Health Assessment
A mental health evaluation consists of the use of tests and questions. Your doctor will ask about your family history, medications and medical history and symptoms. They will also conduct an initial physical exam and may order lab tests like blood work, thyroid function tests or toxicology screenings.
You may also be required to take written or oral tests. These tests could include cognitive and intelligence tests as well as tests of insight, judgment and looseness of association.
Signs and symptoms
When a health professional performs an assessment of your mental health, he will ask you various questions about how you feel and what's been going on. He might be interested in finding out whether you have a family history of mental illness or your general health. The test is designed to give the doctor a clear picture of how you think, feel and behave, as well as identifying any safety concerns. The questions can be written or spoken and are often arranged in a form of an assessment questionnaire.
Your doctor must know about your general life conditions. This includes your work, your relationships, and if you have family members living with you. They will probably also be interested in knowing about any traumatic events that you've encountered in your life and if you have any issues with alcohol or drugs. They'll need to know if you're at risk of harming yourself or others, and could request a blood sample to determine if there are any substances in your system.
Some tests are used routinely for mental assessments, such as the Hamilton Rating Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory. These tests assess a range of symptoms and provide an efficient and simple method for health professionals to evaluate a patient's mood, thinking abilities, behavior, and memory. Other tests are used to identify specific issues such as the Mini Mental State Examination is used to determine the degree of consciousness of a patient.
In a mental health assessment, a variety of tests may be used. This includes physical examinations (to determine if there are any medical conditions that may be underlying), toxicology screenings, and laboratory tests (blood tests or urine tests to determine if there are substances in the body). Some individuals also opt to keep a record of their emotions, which can be helpful when sharing information with their therapy. Some prefer to bring a person or an advocate to their session and this can be beneficial when they feel uncomfortable speaking about their feelings, or if the information is sensitive.
If you are unhappy with the treatment you receive or believe that the doctor hasn't taken all your concerns seriously, say that. The majority of NHS services have a complaint procedure and your care coordinator or doctor should be able to assist, or you can contact the charity Rethink for advice.
Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosing mental illness is to conduct a mental health assessment. After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will decide on the most effective treatment plan for you. You may require a combination of treatments, including treatment and medication. Certain disorders are temporary and heal by themselves, while others are of a long-term nature. A diagnosis is essential in many ways. It will help you be eligible for disability benefits or protect you from workplace discrimination and also inform health insurance companies that you suffer from a medical condition.
Diagnosis is a complex process that requires a keen understanding of a patient's symptoms and how they impact their lives. Your doctor will ask questions about your feelings and how you feel throughout the day. They will also take into consideration any issues in your family or at work. A physical exam may be performed to determine if your symptoms could be a result of bodily illness. Certain symptoms require further examination and tests such as blood or urine samples, MRI or EEG scans.
There are many different tools that can be used to aid doctors in assessing a patient's symptoms, including rating scales and questionnaires. They are typically targeted at specific diseases and may aid in identifying potential disorders but they don't take into consideration all of the psychological, biological and sociological variables that could affect a person's psychiatric condition.
In addition to these questionnaires an interview with the patient will also be conducted, which may involve an extensive account of the patient's thoughts and emotions. The doctor will also ask about their family's medical history as well as any medication the patient is currently taking and whether they are taking any herbal or dietary supplements that might be affecting their mental health.
If the symptoms are serious, the person might require admission for further treatment in a hospital. In other cases, the doctor might suggest outpatient therapy or medication instead. If your psychiatrist believes they are not qualified to diagnose your illness, they should discuss the issue with you and determine whether a medical opinion is needed. If they agree, you may ask for the referral of an additional psychiatrist in a mental health trust.
Treatment
Often family members and close acquaintances notice signs that suggest mental illness. They could also be the ones who assist the patient take the initial steps towards seeking treatment. While how do you get a mental health assessment as books and the Internet, can provide useful information, nothing can take the place of a mental health assessment by trained professionals.
During the assessment your doctor will ask you questions about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They will look for indications of neurological disorders and depression. Your doctor will inquire about any psychiatric treatment you have received and whether you have an history of mental illness in your family.
Your doctor will also ask you about your medications and perform a physical exam. Your doctor will want to determine if there are any physical issues that could be the cause of your symptoms. You should answer all of the doctor's questions truthfully and fully. You may be asked to write a journal of your thoughts and feelings or to bring a family or friend member for the assessment interview. Your doctor may also conduct lab tests such as urine or blood tests.
Psychological tests, also known as questionnaires, are often used as part of a mental health assessment. They can be a helpful instrument to assess your mood, thinking capabilities and memory as well as how you interact with others. The tests are typically in the form a written or oral questionnaire. It is a good idea to attempt to complete these tests prior your appointment to allow you to discuss them with your doctor.
Other assessments use rating scales to provide doctors with a more comprehensive overview of your emotional state. These tools can help identify signs of depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. These tools can be helpful in determining the cause of underlying disorders such as dementia or other neurodegenerative disorders.
A psychiatric examination entails an appointment with your physician and may also include psychotherapy, like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), which is a great treatment for trauma. In certain instances your psychiatric issue could be enough severe to warrant hospitalization in an inpatient or mental health facility, or a residential programs.
Prevention
A mental health evaluation is a good first step to prevent a mental disorder getting worse. It can be used for treatment as well, as it provides a clear picture of the individual's mental and physical state. Patients who have a mental health assessment are more likely to start seeking help for their issues earlier, which could increase their chances of regaining health.
Depending on the reason behind the assessment, different ways can be used to do it. Children might be asked to keep a diary of their feelings for a couple of weeks or to ask family and friends about how they behave. In adults, the physician may ask a written questionnaire or even interview the person to determine how they feel. They may also administer more in-depth tests, like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.
The results of the mental health assessment will determine whether a person has to seek out a specialist, like a psychologist or psychiatrist. If the test reveals symptoms of a mental illness, the doctor will provide advice on how to deal with it. They often recommend therapy. If the condition is not treated, it can alter the way someone thinks and behaves, resulting in a low quality of life and even suicide.
People who are experiencing mental illness should visit their GP if they have symptoms of depression or anxiety. If the symptoms go on for a long time it could lead to other health problems, such as physical issues or dementia. People who have chronic medical conditions, like diabetes or heart disease, should be checked for mood disorders.
Some people feel ashamed or embarrassed when seeking help for a mental illness, and their families might view them in a stigmatizing way. This makes it difficult for patients to receive the help they require. To lessen stigma, professionals can use Quenza's Understanding Mental Health Stigma Worksheet to encourage their clients to talk about the issue.