Mental Health Assessment
A mental health exam is a combination questions and tests. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and family history and symptoms. They will also do a physical examination that is basic and may request lab tests like blood tests and thyroid function tests or toxicology screenings.
You may also have written or oral tests. These can include intelligence tests and measures of cognitive functioning, insight, judgment and looseness of association.
Symptoms
A health professional will ask questions about your feelings and what's been going on. He may be interested in finding out whether you have an ancestral history of mental illness or general health. The assessment is designed to give the doctor a clear picture of how you feel, think and behave, as well as identifying any safety issues. The questions can be written or verbal and are often arranged in a form of the questionnaire.
Your doctor must be aware of your general life situations. This includes your job, your relationships, and the presence of family members living with you. They'll also need to know if there have been any traumatizing experiences in your life and whether you're struggling with alcohol or drugs. They'll need to know if you're at risk of harming yourself or others, and could conduct a blood test to determine if there are any substances in your system.
Certain tests are frequently employed during a mental health assessment, for example the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. These tests assess a range of symptoms and offer an easy and quick method for health professionals to assess the patient's mood, mental abilities, behavior and memory. Other tests are used to help diagnose specific problems, for example the Mini Mental State Examination is used to identify the level of consciousness a person has.
During a mental health evaluation various tests are used. They include a physical examination (to check for any medical conditions that could be underlying), toxicology screenings, and laboratory testing (blood tests or urine tests to determine if there are substances in the body). Some people also choose to keep a journal of their feelings which can prove helpful in providing information to their therapist. Some people prefer to bring a companion or advocate to their assessment and this can be beneficial in cases where they are not comfortable speaking about their feelings, or when the information is sensitive.
private mental health assessment should let someone know when you are concerned about the treatment you receive or if you believe that the doctor is not taking your concerns seriously. Most NHS services have a complaints procedure, and your care coordinator or doctor should be able to help you, or you can contact the charity Rethink to seek advice.
Diagnosis
The first step to diagnosing mental illness is a mental health assessment. After you've been diagnosed, your doctor can decide the most effective treatment plan for you. You may require a mix of treatments, like medication and therapy. Some disorders are temporary and go away on their own, whereas others are long-term in the nature. A diagnosis is essential in many ways. It will help you get disability benefits or protect you from workplace discrimination and also inform health insurance companies that you are suffering from a medical condition.
The diagnosis is a complicated procedure that requires a careful consideration of the patient's symptoms, and how they affect their life. Your doctor will ask questions about your feelings and how you feel throughout the day. They will also take into consideration any problems in your family or at work. A physical examination will be conducted to determine if your symptoms are the result of a medical condition. Some symptoms require further examination and tests such as blood or urine samples, MRI or EEG scans.
Rating scales and questionnaires are some of the tools doctors use to determine the symptomatology of a patient. They are typically targeted at specific diseases and may be helpful in identifying potential disorders, however, they do not take into account all of the psychological, biological and sociological factors that may affect a person's psychiatric condition.
A general conversation will be conducted with the patient, which may include a detailed description of their thoughts and feelings. The doctor will also inquire about their family's medical history, any medications the patient is currently taking and whether they are taking any herbal or dietary supplements that could be impacting their mental health.
If the symptoms are serious, the person might require admission to receive further care in hospital. In other cases, the doctor might recommend outpatient therapy and medication instead. If your psychiatrist feels they are not qualified to diagnose your condition they should discuss the issue with you and determine whether a medical opinion is needed. If they are in agreement, you can request a referral to another psychiatrist in a mental health trust.
Treatment
Sometimes family members and friends may notice signs that indicate mental illness. They could also be the ones who assist the patient take the initial steps towards seeking treatment. While informational resources like books and the Internet, can provide valuable information, nothing can take the place of a mental health assessment by trained professionals.
During the assessment the 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 treatment you have had, as well as whether or not there is a any family history of mental illness.
Your doctor will also conduct physical examinations and ask you about your medication. Your doctor will want to rule out physical conditions that may be causing your symptoms. Answer all questions honestly and completely. You might be asked if you want to keep a journal about your feelings and thoughts or if you wish to bring someone from your family or friends to the interview. Your doctor will also likely conduct laboratory tests including bloodwork and an urine sample.
Psychological testing, 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 abilities, memory and the way you interact with other people. They usually take the form of a written or oral questionnaire. It is a good idea to take these tests prior to your appointment so that you can talk about the results with your doctor.
Other tests employ rating scales to give doctors an overall picture of your emotional state. These tools can be used to detect symptoms such as depression, anxiety and Bipolar disorder. These tools are useful in assessing the root of the problem such as dementia or other neurodegenerative disorders.
A psychiatric examination entails an appointment with your doctor and may include psychotherapy, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, which is useful in treating trauma. In some cases, your psychiatric condition might be so severe that it needs hospitalization in an inpatient or mental health facility, or a residential programs.
Prevention
A mental health assessment can be a first step to prevent a mental disorder getting worse. It can be used for treatment as well, since it provides a clear view of the person's mental and physical condition. A mental health assessment can help people find assistance earlier for their issues.
Based on the purpose behind the evaluation, different methods are available to conduct it. For example children may be required to keep a record of how they are feeling for a few days, or to ask friends and family about how they behave. For adults, the doctor may ask a written questionnaire or interview the person to determine what they feel. They might also do more detailed tests, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.
The results of an assessment of mental health are used to decide if someone needs to be examined by a specialist such as a psychiatrist, or psychologist. If the test reveals indications of mental illness, the specialist will give guidance on how to deal with it. They typically suggest therapy. If the problem is not treated, it can alter the way someone thinks and behaves, resulting in a low quality of life and even suicide.
If you experience symptoms of anxiety or depression, it is important to see your GP. If the symptoms persist for a long period of time, they may result in other issues such as physical issues and dementia. People who have chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes should be checked for mood disorders.
Some people feel ashamed or embarrassed about seeking help for a mental illness and their family members may view them in a stigmatizing way. This could make it difficult for patients to receive the help they require. To help reduce stigma, practitioners can use Quenza's Understanding Mental Health Stigma Worksheet to encourage their clients to talk about the issue.