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Mental Health Check Up Screenings for mental health can help differentiate normal, age-appropriate problems from those that are clinical. They can also help people to recognize early signs of anxiety or depression, so treatment can be commenced before the issues become serious. Set this page for your visit such as describing your symptoms, getting an assessment and developing your treatment plan. Signs and symptoms A mental health check-up typically includes a questionnaire and a physical examination. Doctors may also ask about your past experiences and feelings. It is important to be truthful and answer the questions thoroughly. During the exam the doctor may take notes on a person's behavior and symptoms. They might even request an individual from the family or a friend for details. One might find it useful to keep a diary of their thoughts and feelings in the weeks or days before their appointment. this page can bring this journal with them to the evaluation or give it to their doctor to read. It is also a good idea to prepare an inventory of all medication they take, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. If you're suffering from mental health symptoms it is crucial to make an appointment with a doctor as soon as you can. It is particularly important to seek assistance if these symptoms are causing significant disruption in one's everyday life or making it difficult to maintain relationships with other people. If someone has tried to manage their symptoms on their own with no success, they should talk to their doctor about getting an appointment with a specialist or finding local resources that can assist. It's important to remember that seeking assistance for mental health issues isn't an indication of weakness. Instead, it's an important step towards healing. Most people aren't aware that mental illness can present with physical symptoms. Therefore, it's important to undergo regular physical exams to ensure that a doctor is able to examine any underlying issues that need treatment. Talkspace articles are written and reviewed by clinical experts (therapists psychiatrists, therapists, and other experts) who are all skilled mental health and wellness contributors. We strive to provide accurate, useful and objective information. We rely on trusted third-party sources and include links to them in the text or at the bottom of every article. This allows readers to make informed health decisions. We also have a team of editorial and medical reviewers to ensure top quality content. Diagnosis When you have an illness like a headache or cold and headache, you visit your doctor for a precise diagnosis. When it comes to mental health issues, people tend to brush symptoms under the carpet and hope that they will go away by themselves. A mental health checkup can be as important as an annual physical checkup. During the examination, you'll talk to your doctor or a mental health professional about your behavior and feelings. They will also ask you questions about your home and work life, if you have family members or friends who provide supportive and how you cope with stress. They'll want to know if you have had any painful experiences in your past, and if you use alcohol or drugs. They will also ask about your religion and what goals you're pursuing in life. Your doctor is likely to conduct an examination of your body and collect your medical history in detail. They can also conduct lab tests to rule physical ailments out for example, an electrolyte balance or thyroid disease. During the interview your doctor will observe the way you describe your symptoms and observe your body language for clues about what type of disorder you might be suffering from. They will also refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to identify the appropriate diagnosis. In a psychiatric assessment or psychological assessment your doctor will take into account all of the information provided in order to determine the most effective treatment for you. They will also assist you to locate local resources to support you. If your doctor suspects you have a serious mental illness, he or she will devise a treatment program that may include therapy, medication, or counseling. They may recommend follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and assess how you are responding to treatment. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialist. Treatment Someone who is suffering from a mental health problem may benefit from treatment. A therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist can provide various therapies and medications to manage symptoms. Someone may require treatment if they do not function well in their daily life or are suicidal. Many people are diagnosed with having a mental disorder after visiting their primary physician or being referred to an expert by a friend or relative. A medical check-up could include questions about the patient's mood and sleeping patterns, appetite, and other factors which could be indicative of a mental illness. The patient could also be asked about his or her previous health background. The doctor could perform brain scans or laboratory tests depending on the extent and duration of symptoms. Changes in your sleeping or eating habits could be a warning sign of depression or anxiety. Other signs of mental health disorders include feeling depressed or gloomy, or having thoughts of harming yourself or others. It is crucial to talk about anxiety and mood disorders when you have the course of a physical exam because they could cause serious harm. Psychiatrists are trained in the diagnosis of various psychological problems and mental illnesses. mental health assessments can prescribe medication or other treatments. They may also recommend a self-care or lifestyle regimen to treat symptoms. They can also teach techniques for coping, like meditation and yoga. Some psychiatrists specialize in treating children, and some specialize in certain disorders, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It's a good idea for mental health screenings to be scheduled at the same frequency as physical checkups. The signs of a mental health issue can be just as severe as those of physical ailments, and they can have lasting impacts on the life of a person. Most health insurance plans cover mental health services and U.S. laws require that insurance companies don't charge higher copayments or coinsurance rates for psychiatric services than they charge for other services. Follow-up Mental health patients must follow up with their physicians the same way they would with physical examinations. They also require support from a network of professionals who can help them stay on the right track with their treatment. For those suffering from mental illness, this may include counselors, psychologists and nurses. The ideal scenario is for these professionals to be found in the same facility or office as the primary medical doctor. The patient won't have to travel across the hospital or to another building to see these providers. The need for prompt monitoring is particularly important for those suffering from comorbid severe mental illness and chronic medical illnesses. Research suggests that people with a combination of mental and medical health issues have higher rates of hospitalizations and deaths than those who suffer from either by themselves. Additionally the untreated medical conditions can cause psychiatric symptoms and increase the likelihood of suicide. For this reason, the HEDIS measure of a first follow-up visit within seven days of psychiatric discharge is important. The findings of a recent study suggest that people who receive this kind of follow-up are more likely to use outpatient services, which includes mental health services. This includes medication adherence, psychotherapy sessions and assertive community therapy (ACT for schizophrenia). Adults who underwent their first outpatient follow-up within 7 days following the discharge from a psychiatric hospital were less likely to be hospitalized due to any reason in the following six months than adults who did not receive this kind of mental health follow-up. This was the case for both depression and schizophrenia cohorts. However, the differences were small and not statistically significant, suggesting that there may be other factors at work. In the same way those who received a visual self-assessment form that reminded them of their appointment were 9 percentage points more likely to attend their follow-up appointment than 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 suffering from mental health issues attend their follow-up appointments. This is a significant step in preventing unnecessary emergency department visits and readmissions.