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Mental Health Assessment A mental health evaluation consists of an array of questions and tests. Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and family history and symptoms. They will also do an initial physical exam and may request lab tests like blood tests, thyroid function testing or toxicology screenings. You may also be required to take written or oral tests. These may include tests for intelligence and tests of cognitive functioning, insight, judgment and looseness of association. Signs and symptoms If a health professional performs an assessment of your mental health, he'll ask you various questions about your feelings and what's been happening. He may be interested in knowing whether you have an ancestral history of mental illness or general health. The test is designed to provide a doctor with a picture about how you feel and behave and also to identify any security concerns. The questions can be written or verbal and are often arranged in a form of a questionnaire. Your health professional will need to know about your life's general circumstances including 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 you've had any traumatic experiences in your life and if you have a problem with alcohol or drugs. They will want to know if there is any danger to you or anyone else. They could also take samples of your blood to check if there are 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 assess a range of symptoms and provide a quick and easy way for health care providers to assess a patient's mood, thinking skills, behavior and memory. Other tests are able to be used to diagnose specific problems. For instance, the Mini Mental State Examination can be used to determine a person's consciousness level. In a mental health assessment various tests are used. These include physical examinations (to determine if there are any underlying medical conditions) as well as toxicology screenings and laboratory tests (blood tests or urine tests to determine if there are substances present in the body). Some people also choose to keep a journal of their feelings which can prove helpful when sharing information with their therapist. Some prefer to bring a friend or advocate to their assessment and this can be beneficial if they are uncomfortable talking about their feelings or in the event that the information is sensitive. If you are concerned about the treatment you receive or believe that the doctor has not considered all your concerns seriously, tell them that. You can complain about most NHS services. Your healthcare coordinator or GP will be able help you. You can also make contact with Rethink, a charity that provides advice. Diagnosis A mental health assessment is the initial step to diagnose the presence of a mental illness. Once you have a diagnosis, it will assist your doctor decide on the most appropriate treatment for you. You may require a mix of treatment, such as therapy and medication. Some disorders are short-lived and heal by themselves, while others have a long-term nature. A diagnosis is important in many ways. It will help you get disability benefits or protection against discrimination at work and also inform health insurance companies that you suffer from a medical condition. Diagnosis is a complex process that requires careful attention to a patient's symptoms and how they affect their lives. Your doctor will ask questions regarding your mood and how you feel throughout the day, taking into account any problems that are happening in your workplace or family. A physical exam will be conducted to determine whether your symptoms are result of a medical condition. Certain symptoms may require additional tests or examinations, including blood or urinary samples, MRIs, or EEG scans. Questionnaires and rating scales are among the tools doctors use to determine the symptomatology of a patient. These instruments are designed to treat specific illnesses and can aid in identifying possible diseases. However, they do not consider all the psychological, biological and sociological factors that can affect the psychiatric state of a patient. A general interview may be conducted with the patient, which may include a detailed description of their thoughts and feelings. The doctor will inquire about the medical background of the patient's relatives, any medications they are currently taking, and if they are taking any dietary supplements or herbal supplements that could be impacting mental health. If the symptoms are severe, the patient could require admission as an inpatient for additional treatment. In other cases, the doctor might suggest outpatient therapy and medication instead. If your psychiatrist feels they aren't qualified to diagnose your illness, they should discuss this with you and decide whether a medical opinion is needed. If they are in agreement, you may request the referral of another psychiatrist within a mental health trust. Treatment Often family members and close friends may notice signs that indicate mental illness. They could also be ones who help a patient take the first steps towards seeking treatment. While informational sources like books and the Internet can provide valuable information, nothing can take the place of a mental health assessment by an experienced professional. During the examination the doctor will ask you to describe your thoughts and feelings as well as your behaviour. They will be looking for signs of depression and neurological disorders. Your doctor will inquire about any psychiatric treatment you have had and whether you have a history of mental illness in your family. Your doctor will also inquire with you about your medications and will conduct a physical exam. Your doctor will ask you to rule out any physical ailments that could be causing your symptoms. You should be able to answer all of the doctor's questions completely and honestly. You may be asked to keep a journal about your thoughts and feelings, or if you would like to bring someone from your family or friends to the assessment interview. Your doctor will also likely perform laboratory tests like bloodwork or an urine sample. Psychological tests, also known as questionnaires, are commonly used in a mental health assessment. These tests are helpful in evaluating your thinking and mood and how you interact with others. These tests usually take the form 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 assessments employ rating systems that give doctors an overall view of your psychological state. These tools can help you identify symptoms like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. These tools can be helpful in determining the cause of underlying disorders, such as dementia or other neurodegenerative diseases. A psychiatric examination entails an interview with your doctor and could also include psychotherapy like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), which can be helpful in the treatment of trauma. In certain instances, a psychiatric condition could be so severe that it needs hospitalization at a mental health facility. The following is a list of preventions. A mental health assessment could be the first step to prevent an illness from getting worse. It can be used to aid in treatment too, as it provides a clear picture of the person's mental as well as physical health. A mental health assessment can help people find aid earlier in addressing their issues. Based on the reason for the examination, there are different ways to go about it. For instance children may be asked to keep a diary of how they feel for a couple of days or to inquire with family and friends about how they behave. For adults, the doctor may ask a written questionnaire or interview the person to learn how they feel. They may also perform more thorough tests, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. The results of the mental health assessment will determine whether a person should see a specialist such as a psychologist or psychiatrist. If mental health assessments shows symptoms of a mental illness, the doctor will offer advice on how to treat it. They will usually suggest therapy. If the problem isn't addressed, it can lead to poor mental health, and possibly suicide. If you experience symptoms of anxiety or depression, it is important to consult your GP. If the symptoms persist for a long time, they could lead to other problems such as physical issues and dementia. People who have chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, must be screened for mood disorders. It's not uncommon for people to be embarrassed or ashamed of seeking help with a mental health problem and certain members of their family might be sceptical of people who seek therapy. This can make it difficult for individuals to get the support they require. To lessen the stigma, healthcare professionals can utilize Quenza's Understanding Mental Health Stigma worksheet to aid their clients in discussing the problem with others.