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Mental Health Assessment A mental health exam is a combination questions and tests. Your doctor will inquire about your family history, medications and medical history, as well as your symptoms. They will also do a physical examination that is basic and may request lab tests like blood work as well as thyroid function tests. toxicology tests. You could also take written or oral tests. These may include tests for intelligence and measures of cognitive function, insight, judgment and looseness of association. Symptoms A health professional will ask you questions about your feelings and what's been going on. He may want to know whether you have an ancestral history of mental illness or your general health. The purpose of the assessment is to provide a doctor with an idea of how you feel and think as well as identifying any safety concerns. The questions may be written or verbal and are often organized in a form of a questionnaire. Your health professional will require information about your general life circumstances, such as the work you do or your relationships with others, as well as whether you have any relatives living with you. They'll also need to know if there have been any traumatizing events in your life or whether you are struggling with alcohol or other drugs. how to get a mental health assessment 'll be interested in knowing whether there is a risk to you or others. They can also request a sample of blood to determine if they have any substances in your body. Certain tests are commonly used in a mental health assessment such as the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. These tests test a broad variety of symptoms, and enable health professionals to quickly and easily assess the mood of a patient, their thinking capabilities, behavior and memory. Other tests are utilized to diagnose specific problems like the Mini Mental State Examination is used to determine the degree of consciousness of a patient. Other tests can be used in the mental health assessment that include a physical exam (to look for any underlying medical causes), toxicology screenings and laboratory tests (blood or urine tests to see if there are any substances in the body). Some individuals also opt to keep a diary of their thoughts which can prove helpful in providing information to their therapist. Some individuals bring a friend or an advocate along to their evaluation. This can be helpful when they are uncomfortable talking about their feelings or the information is sensitive. You should let someone know if you have any concerns about the treatment that you receive 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 GP should be able to assist or contact the charity Rethink for help. Diagnosis The first step to diagnose mental illness is to conduct a mental health assessment. Once how to get a mental health assessment 've been diagnosed, it will aid your doctor determine the best treatment option for you. It is possible that you require a combination of treatment, such as medication and therapy. Some conditions are only temporary and heal by themselves, while others are of a long-term nature. Having a diagnosis is important in many ways, such as telling health insurance companies that you have a condition that requires medical attention, and allowing you to be eligible for disability support or protection from workplace discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Diagnosis is a complex process that requires careful attention to the symptoms of a patient and how they affect their life. Your doctor will ask questions about how you feel and how you feel throughout the day. They will also take into consideration any issues that you have in your family or at work. A physical exam will also be performed to determine if your symptoms may be a result of bodily illness. Certain symptoms require more examination and tests, such as urine or blood samples, MRI or EEG scans. Questionnaires and rating scales are some of the tools doctors use to determine a patient's symptomatology. These tools are geared towards specific diseases and can aid in identifying potential illnesses. However they don't take into account all the biological, psychological and sociological aspects that could affect a patient's psychiatric condition. In addition to these questions and a general conversation with the patient will also be conducted, which may involve a detailed history of the patient's thoughts and feelings. The doctor will also inquire about their family's medical history as well as any medication the patient is currently taking, and whether they are taking any dietary or herbal supplements that could be impacting their mental health. If the symptoms are serious, the person might require admission for further inpatient care. Alternatively, the doctor may suggest outpatient therapy or medication instead. If your doctor believes they aren't qualified to diagnose your illness, they should discuss this with you and determine whether a medical opinion is needed. If they are in agreement, you can seek an appointment with a psychiatrist at another mental health trust. Treatment Often family members and close acquaintances notice signs that suggest mental illness. They may 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. During the assessment the doctor will ask you questions about your feelings, thoughts and behavior. He or she will look for indications of depression, neurological disorders and addiction to drugs. Your doctor will inquire about any psychiatric treatment you've received as well as whether you have any history of mental illness in your family. Your doctor will also ask you about your medications and perform a physical exam. Your doctor will rule out any physical conditions that could be the cause of your symptoms. You should be able to answer all of the doctor's questions honestly and completely. You may be asked to keep a journal about your feelings and thoughts or if you wish to bring a family member or friend to the interview. Your doctor may also conduct laboratory tests such as urine or blood tests. Psychological testing, also known as questionnaires, are often used as part of an assessment of mental health. These tests are helpful in measuring your thinking and mood and also how you interact with others. 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 you can discuss the results with your doctor. Other tests use rating scales to give doctors an overall picture of your mood. These tools can help you identify symptoms such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. They can also assist in assessing the underlying condition like dementia or other neurological diseases. A psychiatric assessment includes an appointment with your physician and could also include psychotherapy like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) which is a great treatment for trauma. In some instances your psychiatric problem could be enough severe to warrant hospitalization in an institution for mental health or residential programs. Prevention A mental health exam can be a first step in preventing a mental disorder getting worse. It can be used for treatment too, as it gives a clear picture of the individual's mental and physical state. A mental health assessment can assist people in getting aid earlier in addressing their issues. Depending on the purpose of the examination the assessment may require different methods to conduct the assessment. For instance children may be asked to keep a journal of how they feel for a couple of days or to ask friends and family about how they behave. In adults, the doctor may ask a written questionnaire or even interview the person to determine how they are feeling. They could also conduct more in-depth tests, like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The results of the mental health assessment determine whether a person has to see a specialist such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. If the test shows indications of mental illness, the specialist will provide advice on how to treat it. They will usually suggest therapy. If the problem isn't addressed it can result in poor mental health, and possibly suicide. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, it is important to see your GP. If the symptoms last for a long period of time, they can cause other issues such as physical problems and dementia. People who have an ongoing medical condition like diabetes or heart disease should ensure they're being monitored for mood disorders. Some people feel ashamed or embarrassed when seeking help for a mental illness, and their families may consider them to be a stigmatizing way. This could make it difficult for patients to get the support they require. To help reduce stigma, practitioners can use Quenza's Understanding Mental Health Stigma worksheet to help their clients talk about the issue with others.