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Mental Health Check Up Screening for mental health issues can help distinguish normal, age-appropriate issues from more serious ones. They can also allow people to detect early signs of depression or anxiety, to ensure that treatment is initiated before the problems become more grave. Set realistic goals for your visit, for example, describing your symptoms, getting an accurate diagnosis and establishing your treatment plan. Symptoms A mental health check up usually involves the completion of a questionnaire as well as a physical examination. Doctors may also inquire about your past experiences and feelings. Answering questions honestly and completely is important. The doctor will likely keep a record of a patient's symptoms and behavior during the examination. They might even consult an individual from the family or a friend for information. A person can find it helpful to keep a journal of their thoughts and feelings throughout the days or weeks prior to their appointment. They can take this journal with them to the evaluation or hand it to their doctor to review. It is also a good idea to prepare the list of any medications they are taking, which includes herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications. If you're suffering from mental health problems, it's crucial to schedule an appointment as soon as you can. It is particularly important to seek help if these symptoms are causing major disruption to the daily life or causing difficulties to maintain relationships with other people. If someone has tried to manage their symptoms on their own without success, they should speak to their physician about getting an appointment with a specialist or finding community resources that can help. It's important to remember that seeking help for mental health issues is not a sign weakness. It's actually a positive step towards healing. Many people are unaware that mental illness can present with physical symptoms. It's important to have regular physical examinations, so that your doctor can check for any underlying illnesses. Talkspace articles are written by skilled mental health contributors, and are reviewed by an expert panel of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists from different specialties). We strive to provide the most reliable, valuable, and objective information we can. We use trusted third-party sources and link to them in the text or at the end of each article. This allows readers to make informed decisions about their health. Our team includes medical and editorial reviewers who ensure that we provide the best quality content. Diagnosis If you suffer from an illness like a headache or cold and headache, you visit your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. When it comes to mental health issues, people tend to brush symptoms under the carpet and believe that they will go away by themselves. A mental health checkup can be as important as physical exam. During the examination, you'll talk with your doctor or mental health professional about your feelings and behaviors. They will ask you about your home and work life, if you have family members or friends who could be a source of support and how you deal with stress. They will ask you whether you've ever been in a traumatic situation and whether alcohol or other drugs were used. They'll also want learn about your religion and the goals you set for yourself in your life. Your doctor may conduct a thorough medical history and conduct a physical examination. They may also conduct lab tests to rule out physical illnesses such as an imbalance in electrolytes or thyroid disorder that could be the cause of your symptoms. During the appointment, your doctor will listen carefully to your symptoms and observe your body language to determine what kind of disorder may be present. They will also refer you to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to determine the most appropriate diagnosis. During a psychiatric evaluation or psychological assessment Your doctor will consider all of this information to determine the most effective treatment for you. They will also assist you to locate local resources for help. If your doctor suspects that you suffer from a mental disorder they will create an action plan that can include therapy, medication or counseling. They may recommend periodic appointments to track your progress and determine how you are responding to treatment. If needed, they'll refer you to a specialist. Treatment Someone who is suffering from a mental health problem can benefit from treatment. A psychiatrist, therapist, or psychologist can provide various therapies and medications to manage symptoms. Someone may require treatment if they cannot function well in their daily life or if suicidal. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a mental disorder after visiting their primary care physician or a friend or family member recommends them to a specialist. A medical check up may include questions about the patient's mood, sleep, appetite, feelings, and other factors that might indicate a mental health problem. It is also possible to inquire about the person's past mental health background. Depending on the severity of the person's symptoms, the doctor may conduct lab tests or scans of the brain to determine if there are any physical causes. Changes in sleeping or eating habits could be a warning indicator of anxiety or depression. Other indicators of a mental health problem include a lack of enthusiasm for activities, feeling depressed or hopeless, or having thoughts about harming you or others. The anxiety and mood disorders can cause serious consequences, so it is crucial to talk about these concerns during a health check up. Psychiatrists are trained for the diagnosis of various psychological issues and mental illnesses. They may prescribe medication or other treatments, and could recommend a lifestyle or self-care program to help manage symptoms. They may also instruct strategies for coping, such as yoga and meditation. Certain psychiatrists specialize in treating children while others specialize in certain disorders like schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder. It's a good idea for mental health checks to be scheduled with the same frequency as physical checks. Mental health issues can lead to symptoms that are as severe as physical ailments and can affect the life of an individual. The majority of health insurance plans cover mental health services, and U.S. laws require that insurance companies don't charge higher copayments or coinsurance for mental health services than they do for other types of services. Follow-up Patients with mental health issues should be following up with their doctors like they would with a physical examination. super fast reply need the support from a network of professionals who can assist them in staying on track with their treatment. In the case of mental illness, this network might include counselors, nurses and psychologists. In the ideal situation, these professionals can be found in the same office or facility as the primary doctor of care. Patients will not need to travel across the hospital or a different building to see these providers. Patients with serious mental illness or chronic medical conditions should be checked up promptly. Research suggests that those who have a mix of mental and medical health issues have higher rates of hospitalization and death than those who suffer from either on their own. Untreated medical conditions can cause psychiatric issues and increase the risk for suicide. In this regard, the HEDIS measure of a first outpatient follow-up visit within 7 days of psychiatric discharge is important. Recent research suggests that patients who receive this kind of follow-up are more likely to seek outpatient care that includes mental health services. This includes psychotherapy, medication adherence sessions and assertive community therapy (ACT for schizophrenia). Adults who received their first outpatient mental health check-up within 7 days of psychiatric discharge are less likely to be hospitalized in the next six months due to any reason than adults who don't receive this type follow-up. This was true for the depression and schizophrenia cohorts. However, the differences were not statistically significant, suggesting that there may be other factors in play. Those who received a visual card reminding the appointment time had a 9-point increase in attendance, compared to those who didn't. The results of this study, even though not statistically significant in nature it suggests that simple methods could improve the likelihood that patients with mental health issues can keep their appointments. This is an important step in preventing unnecessary emergency department visits and readmissions.