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Mental Health Assessment A mental health assessment is a combination questions and tests. Your doctor will inquire about your family history and medications, as well as your symptoms. They will also conduct an examination of the body and may request lab tests like thyroid function tests, blood work tests, or toxicology screenings. You may take tests in writing or verbal as well. These may include tests for intelligence and measures of cognitive function intelligence, insight, judgment, and looseness of connection. private mental health assessment will ask questions about your feelings and what's going on. He may want to know whether you have any family history of mental illness or 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 can be written or verbal and are often organized as an assessment questionnaire. Your doctor must be aware of your general life situations. This includes your work, your relationships, and the presence of family members living with you. They will also want to know if you've had any painful events in your life or whether you're struggling with alcohol or drugs. They'll be looking to determine if there is any danger to you or anyone else. They can also request a sample of blood to check if there are any substances present in your body. Certain tests are routinely used for mental assessments, such as the Hamilton Rating Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory. These tests are able to assess a wide variety of symptoms, and allow health care providers to quickly and easily evaluate the patient's mood, behavior, thinking abilities, and memory. Other tests are used to identify specific issues such as the Mini Mental State Examination is used to determine the level of consciousness a person has. A variety of other tests may be utilized during the mental health assessment, such as a physical exam (to check for any underlying medical reasons) tests for toxicology and laboratory tests (blood or urine tests to determine whether there are any substances in the body). Some people keep a journal to document their feelings. This can be useful when presenting information to their therapist. Some people prefer to bring a companion or an advocate to their session, which can be useful when they feel uncomfortable talking about their feelings or if the information is sensitive. You should let someone know when you are concerned about the treatment that you receive or if you believe that the doctor isn't taking your concerns seriously. You can complain about most NHS services. Your healthcare coordinator or GP will be able help you. You can also contact Rethink the charity that provides guidance. Diagnosis A mental health assessment is the initial step in diagnosing the presence of a mental illness. Once you've been diagnosed your doctor can decide the most effective treatment strategy for you. There may be a need for a combination of treatments, like therapy and medication. Some disorders are temporary and go away on their own, whereas others are more long-lasting in nature. A diagnosis is crucial 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 an illness that requires medical treatment. Diagnosis is a complex process that requires careful attention to the symptoms of a patient and how they impact their life. Your doctor will ask questions 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 require additional examination and tests such as blood or urine samples, MRI or EEG scans. Questionnaires and rating scales are some of the tools doctors use to assess a patient's symptomatology. These tools are geared towards specific illnesses and help identify potential diseases. However, they do not consider all the biological, psychological and sociological factors that may influence a patient's psychiatric condition. A general interview may be conducted with the patient, which could include a detailed description of their thoughts and feelings. The doctor will also ask about the medical history of their family and any medications the patient is currently taking and whether they have any herbal or dietary supplements that might be affecting their mental health. If the symptoms are extreme, the patient may require admission as an inpatient to receive further treatment. Alternatively, the doctor may suggest outpatient therapy and medication instead. If your psychiatrist feels they aren't competent to diagnose your condition, they should discuss the issue with you and decide whether a specialist's opinion is appropriate. If they agree, you can seek an appointment with a psychiatrist at another mental health trust. Treatment Sometimes family members and close acquaintances notice signs that suggest mental illness. They can also help patients take the first step towards seeking treatment. While books and the Internet can provide valuable information, nothing can substitute for the expertise of a qualified professional to assess mental health. In the course of an evaluation, your doctor will ask you questions about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They will also look for signs of depression, neurological disorders and addiction to drugs. Your doctor will ask you about any previous psychiatric treatments you've received as well as whether you have a previous history of mental illness in your family. Your doctor will also perform physical examinations and ask you about your medications. Your doctor will want you to rule out any physical ailments which could be the cause of your symptoms. Answer all questions truthfully and completely. You might be asked to keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings, or if you wish to bring your family member or a friend to the interview. Your doctor could perform other laboratory tests, such as bloodwork or a urine sample. Psychological tests, also known as questionnaires, are often used as part of the mental health assessment. These tests are helpful for measuring your thinking and mood, as well as how you interact with others. These tests typically take the form of a written or a verbal questionnaire. It is recommended to take these tests prior to your appointment, so that you can talk about the results with your doctor. Other assessments use rating scales to provide doctors with a more comprehensive overview of your mood. These tools can be used to identify symptoms like anxiety, depression and Bipolar disorder. These tools can be helpful in assessing underlying conditions such as dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases. A psychiatric evaluation includes an interview with your doctor and may include psychotherapy, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) which is helpful in treating trauma. In certain instances, a psychiatric disorder may be so severe that it requires hospitalization at a mental health center. Prevention A mental health exam could be the first step to prevent an illness from getting worse. It can also be used to help with treatment, as it provides a clear picture of what is going on with the person's body and mind. People who get an assessment of their mental health are more likely to begin seeking help for their issues earlier, which could increase the chances of recovering. Depending on the reason behind the assessment, different ways are available to conduct it. Children could be asked to keep a diary of their thoughts for a few weeks or to ask relatives and friends the way they behave. In adults, the doctor may ask a written questionnaire or interview the person to determine how they feel. They may also perform more in-depth tests, like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The results of the mental health assessment will determine if a person needs to consult a specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. If the test indicates symptoms of a mental illness, the specialist will offer advice on how to deal with it. They often recommend therapy. If the problem is not treated, it could alter the way someone thinks and behaves, leading to low quality of life and even suicide. People who are experiencing a mental illness should see their GP when they exhibit signs of depression or anxiety. If the symptoms persist for a long period of time, they could cause other issues like physical ailments and dementia. People who have an ongoing medical condition, such as diabetes or heart disease should ensure they're being monitored for mood disorders. It's not common for people to feel embarrassed or ashamed about needing assistance for a mental health problem Some members of their families might be sceptical of people who seek therapy. This can make it hard for people to seek out 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.