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Mental Health Assessment - What to Expect
Mental health issues can have a huge impact on a person's mental and physical wellbeing. If you're worried about your mental health it's essential to take action and seek help as soon as you can.
A new law is now in force that gives service users the right to independent advocacy. It also imposes obligations on local authorities and Health Boards to offer advocacy services.
What is a Mental Health Assessment?
Mental health assessments are made for healthcare professionals to understand the issues you face. They can be used to find the most effective treatment options for you, whether that is therapy or medication. They can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of your current treatment and monitor changes over time.
A mental health assessment starts with a discussion of your symptoms and their impact on your life. It's essential to be honest during this phase of the process. This could affect the treatment you receive.
The assessment process could consist of psychometric tests or interviews. These questionnaires may be verbal or written, and might ask questions about your feelings, thoughts and memories. They may also include questions about your family history and previous mental health issues. As part of the assessment the healthcare professional will also conduct a physical examination. This will aid in determining any medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms, like diabetes or thyroid problems.
During the mental health assessment, a health professional will monitor your behavior and ask about any issues you may have at home or at work. They might inquire about your history of using drugs or alcohol, and about any risk factors that could cause mental illness, such as a family background of depression or genetic characteristics. They could also inquire about any medication you're taking and check whether your symptoms are linked to a specific medication.
In some cases, a healthcare professional will opt to conduct a more detailed psychological examination. They usually utilize this procedure to gather more details about the source of your symptoms. They will look at your past experiences as well as your relationships, personality and interests. They may also perform tests to determine how your brain is functioning by testing your reaction times and observing your eye movements. These tests are referred to as neuropsychological tests.
A psychiatric evaluation is performed by a psychologist or psychiatrist. These are doctors with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They will evaluate you with a mix of physical and psychological methods, and will discuss your diagnosis with you in detail.
What happens during a mental health assessment?
The doctor will inquire about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They will also consider any previous diagnoses or treatments that you've received. They will also look at your family and social history, as well as any other information that might help them work out the cause of your symptoms. It is crucial to answer all the questions in a straight and honest manner. This will give your doctor the best chance of making an accurate diagnosis.
The questions you are asked could be difficult or upsetting However, it is vital that you be honest about your feelings and experiences openly. This is because the assessment will assist your doctor in figuring out what might be causing your symptoms and what kind of treatment would be the most suitable for you.
During the visit, your doctor will also take note of how you are behaving, your appearance and the way you interact with others. They will look for signs of anxiety, depression or psychosis. They will attempt to determine why you might be experiencing the way you are.
They'll also want to know what type of work you perform and if you take any medications. They should also know about any previous traumas you have experienced and will want to know if have any friends or family who have experienced similar issues. They will need to be aware of whether you suffer from heart disease or diabetes which could be the cause of the symptoms.
The examination can last anywhere between 30 minutes and 90 minutes depending the reason you are assessed. The doctor will require written or oral tests to complete during the exam and may carry out a physical examination as well.
If you are not happy with the outcome of your mental health assessment you are entitled to seek an opinion from a second source. You can request this through your local NHS trust. You can also ask your doctor or care coordinator for advice and support.
What do I get from a mental health evaluation?
The assessing professional will ask about your medical history, family history, and any symptoms you've experienced. They may also review your current medications and previous psychiatric treatments. This is important because it helps professionals rule out physical causes of your symptoms.
Your assessment will also involve an examination of your body. assessing mental health may include urine and blood tests, and also a review of your reflexes. If you think you have a neurological issue you may also be referred to an EEG or CT scan.
It is crucial to be truthful during the interview, and to answer all of the questions asked by the professional assessing you. This will assist them in making an accurate diagnosis and identify the best treatment option for you. Remember that getting an accurate diagnosis may take time. It's normal for individuals to experience some anxiety and frustration as they wait for an answer.
In some cases an assessment of mental health could include an exhaustive exam of the patient to look for indicators such as suicidal thoughts or aggression towards themselves or others. This is a very important part of the assessment, and you will need the help of a trained professional.
If the mental health assessors determine that someone poses a risk to themselves or others, they could decide that the person needs to be hospitalized. Depending on their circumstances, they may be admitted immediately after their assessment or later.
The professionals assessing the person will be able observe how the person interacts with their family and with other people in their life. They'll ask questions about the biggest sources of stress and about any traumatic events that have occurred in the life of the person. The doctors who carry out the assessment will need to have completed authorization and consent forms from the individual before the evaluation can begin.
You can always get an alternative opinion if family members of the person are concerned that the experts assessing them might not be giving the best diagnosis. This can be done through their doctor, private therapists, or community mental health services.
What can I do if I'm unhappy with my mental health assessment?
If you aren't satisfied with the results of your assessment It's essential to say something. Health and social care professionals should always explain the appointment, indicating what will take place and how long it is anticipated to last. They should also explain to you who they will be sharing information with and for what reason and get your permission prior to sharing any information. You can invite an advocate or a friend to your appointment. They can represent your interests and views. They could be volunteers like mental health charity workers or they can be professionals, like lawyers.
It's important to remember the aim of a mental health assessment is to assist patients in getting better. If you're not able be open with the professional carrying out the assessment, it's not likely that they'll be able to evaluate and treat you appropriately.
NHS offers free mental health care however, you must be aware that there may be waiting lists and that the wait could cause your symptoms to worsen. If you feel you're unable to wait, you could pay to have an evaluation and treatment in private. This isn't a viable option for everyone but if you are able to afford it, it's worth looking into.
It's also worth bearing in mind that the way the NHS operates has changed. In some parts of England, new Integrated Care Systems were introduced which connect various health and health services. You could be referred to an entirely different Mental Health Team than before.
It's important that you voice your concerns if you don't like the way of treatment or assessment. It can be difficult to voice your concerns but it's important. Your mental health professional is likely to be able arrange a second opinion or refer you to another service. If they aren't then you may want to ask an independent advocacy group like Rethink, or Mind, to make a complaint on your behalf.
If you move, the MHT will transfer your entire care to a new service as soon as is possible. However this isn't always the case. It is important to inform your MHT know you are moving, as it can affect the amount of assistance you receive from them.