Mental Health Assessment
A mental health assessment consists of a combination of questions and tests. Your doctor will inquire about your medical history, family history, and your symptoms. They will also perform an initial physical exam and may also order lab tests like blood work, thyroid function tests, or toxicology screenings.
You may also be required to take written or oral tests. These can include intelligence tests and tests of cognitive functioning, insight, judgment and looseness of connection.
Symptoms
A health professional will ask you questions about your feelings and what's going on. He may also want to know about any family history of mental illness and your general health. The test is designed to provide the doctor a clear picture of how you feel, think and behave, as well as identifying any safety issues. The questions are often in a questionnaire-type format and may be either verbal or written.
Your health care provider must be aware of your general life situations. This includes your job as well as your relationships and whether you have family members living with you. They'll likely be interested in knowing about any traumas you've encountered in your life and if you have any problems with alcohol or drugs. They will be interested in knowing if there is any danger to you or others. They can also request samples of your blood to check if there are any substances in your body.
Certain tests are frequently used during an assessment of mental health, for example the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. These tests test a broad spectrum of symptoms and allow health care providers to quickly and easily assess the mood of a patient, their thinking capabilities, behavior and memory. Other tests are used to diagnose specific problems, for example the Mini Mental State Examination is used to identify a person's level of consciousness.
Other tests are sometimes used during an assessment of mental health for example, physical examinations (to look for any underlying medical reasons) as well as toxicology screenings and lab tests (blood or urine tests to see if there are any substances within the body). Some people keep a diary to record their feelings. This is helpful when they need to share information with their counselor. Some people prefer to bring a companion or a person who can advocate for them to attend their appointment, which can be useful when they feel uncomfortable speaking about their feelings, or when the information is sensitive.
You should let someone know whenever you have concerns about the treatment that you are receiving or if you feel the doctor is not taking your concerns seriously. Most NHS services have a complaints procedure and your care co-ordinator or doctor will be able to assist you or contact the charity Rethink to seek advice.
Diagnosis
The first step in diagnosing mental illness is to conduct a mental health assessment. Once you have a diagnosis, it will help your doctor choose the most appropriate treatment for you. You may require a combination of treatment, such as medication and therapy. Certain disorders are temporary and heal by themselves, while others have a long-term nature. The importance of having a diagnosis is in a variety of ways, including informing health insurance companies that you have a condition that requires medical attention and allowing you to be eligible for disability assistance or protection from discrimination in the workplace under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The process of diagnosing a patient is complex that requires careful consideration of a patient's symptoms and how they impact their life. private ocd assessment will inquire about your mood and how you feel throughout the day, taking into consideration any issues that are occurring in your family or workplace. A physical exam will be performed to determine if your symptoms are the result of an illness in your body. Some symptoms may require additional tests or examinations, including blood or urinary samples, MRIs, or EEG scans.
There are a number of different tools that can be used to assist doctors in assessing the symptoms of a patient, including rating scales and questionnaires. They are usually targeted at specific diseases and may be helpful in identifying possible disorders, but they don't consider all of the psychological, biological and sociological factors that may affect a person's mental health.
In addition to these questionnaires, a general interview with the patient is conducted, which may include a detailed history of the patient's thoughts and feelings. The doctor will also inquire about the medical history of their family 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 severe, the patient could need to be admitted as an inpatient for further care. The doctor could also suggest outpatient therapy or medication instead. If your doctor believes they aren't qualified to diagnose your condition they should discuss this with you and decide whether a specialist's opinion is needed. If they agree, you can request a referral to another psychiatrist in an institution for mental health.
Treatment
Many times family members and close friends may notice signs that indicate mental illness. They could also be ones who assist a patient take the first steps to seek treatment. While informational sources, such as books and the Internet, can provide valuable insight, nothing takes the place of a mental health evaluation by an experienced professional.
During the assessment, your doctor will ask you questions about your thoughts, feelings and behavior. They will also look for indications of depression, neurological disorders and addiction to drugs. Your doctor will also inquire about any previous psychiatric treatments you have had and whether or not there is a a family history of mental illness.
Your doctor will also inquire with you about your medications and conduct a physical examination. Your doctor will rule out any physical conditions as the reason for your symptoms. You should be able to answer all of the doctor's questions completely and honestly. You might be asked to keep a journal about your thoughts and feelings, or if you want to bring someone from your family or friends to the assessment interview. Your doctor may also conduct tests in the laboratory including bloodwork and a urine sample.
Psychological testing, also known as questionnaires, are often used in a mental health assessment. These tests are helpful for evaluating your mood and thinking abilities, as well as how you interact with other people. They usually take the form of a written or a verbal questionnaire. It is a great idea to complete these tests prior to your appointment, so that you can discuss the results with your doctor.
Other assessments use rating systems to give doctors an overall view of your emotional state. These tools can help identify symptoms such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. These tools can be useful in assessing underlying conditions, such as dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases.
A psychiatric assessment includes an interview with your physician and may include psychotherapy, like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) which can be helpful in the treatment of trauma. In certain instances your psychiatric issue could be enough severe to warrant hospitalization in a mental health facility or in a residential program.
Prevention
A mental health evaluation can be an important first step to prevent a mental disorder from getting worse. It can be used to aid in treatment too, as it provides a clear picture of the person's mental as well as physical state. A mental health assessment can help people get help sooner for their problems.
Depending on the reason behind the evaluation, different methods are available to conduct it. Children may be asked to keep a journal of their thoughts for a few weeks or to inquire with family members and friends to comment on their behavior. The doctor might ask the patient to answer a series of questions or conduct an interview to see the way they feel. They can also conduct more detailed tests, such the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.
The results of a mental health assessment are used to determine whether someone should be examined by a specialist like a psychiatrist or psychologist. If the test shows indications of mental illness, the specialist will give advice on how to deal with it. They usually recommend therapy. If the condition is not treated, it could affect the way a person thinks and behaves, resulting in low quality of life and even suicide.
People who are experiencing mental illness should consult their GP when they exhibit signs of anxiety or depression. If the symptoms persist for a long period of time, they could result in other issues such as physical issues and dementia. People with chronic medical conditions, like heart disease or diabetes, should be checked for mood disorders.
It is not uncommon for people to be embarrassed or ashamed of seeking assistance for a mental health problem, and some family members might have a negative view of people who seek therapy. This can make it difficult for individuals to receive the help they require. To help reduce stigma, healthcare professionals can use Quenza's Understanding Mental Health Stigma worksheet to help their clients talk about the problem with others.