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Mental Health Assessment A mental health evaluation involves an array of tests and questions. Your doctor will inquire about your family history and medications, as well as your symptoms. They will also do a basic physical exam and may order lab work like blood work, thyroid function testing or toxicology screenings. You could have written or verbal tests as well. These may include tests for intelligence and measures of cognitive function such as insight, judgment, and looseness of association. Symptoms When a health professional performs an assessment of your mental health, he'll ask you various questions about your feelings and what has been going on. He might be interested in finding out if you have any family history of mental illness or your general health. The test is designed to provide the doctor an idea of how you feel, think and behave, as well as identifying any safety issues. The questions are usually in a form of questionnaire and may be written or verbally written. Your doctor must know about your general life conditions. This includes your job and relationships, as well as the presence of family members living with you. They'll also need to know if there have been any traumatic experiences in your life, and whether you are struggling with alcohol or other drugs. They'll want to know if you're in danger of harming yourself or others. They may conduct a blood test to check for any substances in your system. Certain tests are routinely used in a mental test, such as the Hamilton Rating Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory. These tests assess a range of symptoms and offer a quick and easy way for health professionals to assess the patient's mood, thinking abilities, behavior, and memory. Other tests are used to help identify specific issues, for example 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. They include physical examinations (to check for any medical conditions that may be underlying) as well as 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 diary of their feelings, which can be helpful when sharing information with their therapist. Some prefer to bring a companion or advocate to their assessment, which can be useful if they are uncomfortable talking about their feelings or in the event that the information is sensitive. If you have concerns about the treatment you're receiving or believe that the doctor hasn't taken all your concerns seriously, tell them that. Most NHS services have a complaint procedure and your care co-ordinator or doctor 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. If you are diagnosed it will help your doctor choose the best treatment option for you. There may be a need for a combination of treatments, such as therapy and medications. Certain disorders last for a short time and then disappear on their own, while others are long-term in the nature. The importance of having a diagnosis is in a variety of ways, including telling health insurance companies you have a condition that requires medical attention and allowing you to qualify for disability support or protection from discrimination in the workplace under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Diagnosis is a complex process that requires a keen understanding of the symptoms of a patient and how they impact their life. Your doctor will ask questions about how you feel and your mood throughout the day. They will also take into account any problems in your family or at work. A physical exam will also be done to see whether your symptoms could be due to a bodily illness. Some symptoms require additional examination and tests like urine or blood samples, MRI or EEG scans. Rating scales and questionnaires are among the tools doctors use to assess a patient's symptomatology. These tools are designed for specific diseases and can help identify potential illnesses. However they do not take into consideration all the biological, psychological and sociological aspects that may influence a patient's psychiatric condition. In addition to these questions, a general interview with the patient is conducted, which could include an extensive account of the person's thoughts and emotions. The doctor will also ask about their family's medical history, any medications the patient is currently taking and whether they have any dietary or herbal supplements that could be impacting their mental health. If the symptoms are extreme, the patient may require admission as an inpatient to receive further treatment. The doctor might also recommend outpatient treatment or medication. If your doctor believes that they are not fully qualified to diagnose your condition and treat it, they should discuss with you if the advice of a specialist is appropriate. If they agree, you may ask for a referral to an expert psychiatrist from another mental health trust. Treatment Friends and family members frequently notice symptoms that indicate mental illnesses. They may also be the ones who assist the patient take the initial steps to seek treatment. While informational resources like books and the Internet can provide valuable information, nothing can take the place of a mental health evaluation by trained professionals. During an assessment, your doctor will ask you questions about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They will look for indications of neurological disorders or depression. Your doctor will inquire about any psychiatric treatment you've received as well as whether you have a previous history of mental illness in your family. Your doctor will also conduct a physical examination and inquire about your medication. Your doctor will ask you to rule out physical conditions that may be causing your symptoms. You should be able to answer all questions asked by the doctor truthfully and fully. You may be asked to write an account of your thoughts and feelings or to bring a friend or family member with you for the assessment interview. Your doctor may perform other laboratory tests, such as urine tests or blood tests. Psychological testing, or questionnaires, are often used in a mental health assessment. They are a useful instrument for evaluating your mood, thinking capabilities, memory and the way you interact with other people. These tests usually come in the form of a written or a verbal 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 provide doctors with an extensive overview of your emotional state. These tools can help you 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 entails an interview with your doctor and may include psychotherapy, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy that is effective in treating trauma. In some cases, your psychiatric condition might be so severe that it requires hospitalization in an inpatient or mental health facility, or a residential program. Prevention A mental health assessment could be the first step to prevent an illness from getting worse. It can be utilized to assist in treatment as it provides a clear view of what's going on in the person's body and mind. A mental health assessment can help people get help sooner for their problems. Depending on the reason for the test, various methods can be employed to accomplish it. For instance children may be asked to keep a journal of how they feel for a few days, or to inquire with family and friends about their behavior. In adults, the physician might use a questionnaire written in writing or even interview the person to find out what they feel. They may also perform more in-depth tests, like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The results of a mental health assessment can be used to determine if someone needs to be examined by a specialist such as a psychiatrist, or psychologist. If the test shows symptoms of mental illness, an expert will provide advice on how to manage it. They will often recommend therapy. If more.. isn't treated, it can alter the way someone thinks and behaves, leading to poor quality of life and even suicide. People suffering from mental illness should consult their GP when they exhibit signs of anxiety or depression. If the symptoms persist for a long time, they can cause other issues such as physical problems and dementia. People who have a chronic medical issue, such as diabetes or heart disease, should also make sure they are being checked for mood issues. Many people feel embarrassed or embarrassed about seeking help for a mental illness and their loved ones may view them in a stigmatizing way. This can make it difficult for patients to receive the help they need. To reduce stigma, professionals can use Quenza's Understanding Mental Health Stigma Worksheet to help clients talk to their clients about the issue.