The History Of Mental Health Assessment In 10 Milestones
Mental Health Assessment
A mental health assessment consists of a combination of tests and questions. Your doctor will ask about your family history, medications and medical history and symptoms. They will also do an initial physical exam and may also order lab tests such as blood tests and thyroid function tests or toxicology screenings.
You could have written or verbal tests as well. These tests may include intelligence and cognitive functioning tests and measures of insight, judgment and looseness of associations.
Symptoms
If a health professional performs an assessment of your mental health, he'll ask you several questions regarding how you feel and what's been going on. He might be interested in finding out if you have a family history of mental illness or general health. The assessment is intended to give a doctor an idea of how you feel and behave as well as identify any security concerns. The questions are typically in a format similar to a questionnaire and may be written or verbally written.
Your health care professional will require information about your general life circumstances, such as the work you do, your relationships and whether you have family members living with you. They may also be interested in any traumatic events you have been through in your life and if you have any problems with alcohol or drugs. They'll want to know if you are in danger of harming yourself or others, and could conduct a blood test to look for any substance in your system.
Certain tests are commonly employed during a mental health assessment like the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. These tests test a broad range of symptoms, and enable health professionals to quickly and efficiently assess a patient’s mood, thinking capabilities, behavior and memory. Other tests can be used to diagnose specific problems. For instance the Mini Mental State Examination can be used to determine a person's consciousness level.
A variety of other tests may be utilized during a mental health assessment that include a physical exam (to check for any underlying medical causes) as well as toxicology screenings and laboratory tests (blood or urine tests to see whether there are any chemicals in the body). Some people keep a diary to document their feelings. This is helpful when they need to share information with their therapist. Some people bring a companion or advocate with them to their assessment. This can be helpful if they feel uncomfortable discussing their feelings or the information is sensitive.
You should speak up when you are concerned about the treatment that you receive or if you feel the doctor is not taking your concerns seriously. Most NHS services have a complaints procedure and your care co-ordinator or doctor should be able to help you, or you can contact the charity Rethink for help.
Diagnosis
The first step to diagnose mental illness is to conduct a mental health assessment. Once you've been diagnosed your doctor will determine the best treatment plan for you. You may require a combination of treatment, such as treatment and medication. Certain disorders are temporary and heal on their own while others have a longer-lasting nature. A diagnosis is crucial in a variety of ways, including telling health insurance companies you have a condition that requires medical attention and allowing you to be eligible for disability support or protection from discrimination in the workplace under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The diagnosis is a complex procedure that requires thorough examination of the patient's symptoms and how they impact their life. Your doctor will ask questions regarding your mood and how you feel throughout the day, taking into consideration any problems that are happening in your workplace or family. A physical exam will be conducted to determine whether your symptoms are the result of a bodily illness. Certain symptoms require additional examination and tests such as urine or blood samples, MRI or EEG scans.
Questionnaires and rating scales are a few of the tools doctors employ to assess a patient's symptomatology. These instruments are designed to treat specific diseases and can help identify potential disorders. However, they do not consider all the biological, psychological and sociological factors that can affect a patient's psychiatric condition.
A general conversation will be conducted with the patient, which may include a detailed description of their thoughts and emotions. The doctor will inquire about the medical history of the patient's family members, any medications they are currently taking, and if they take any herbal or dietary supplements that may affect mental health.
If the symptoms are serious, the patient may need to be admitted to receive further care in hospital. Alternatively, the doctor may suggest outpatient therapy and medication instead. If your doctor believes they are not competent to diagnose your condition, they should discuss this with you and determine whether a specialist's opinion is needed. If they agree, you may ask for an appointment with an expert psychiatrist from another mental health trust.
Treatment
Many times family members and friends notice symptoms that indicate mental illness. They may also help patients take the first step toward seeking treatment. While books and the Internet can provide valuable information, nothing replaces the expertise of a qualified professional to assess mental health .
During the assessment your doctor will inquire about your thoughts and feelings as well as your behaviour. The doctor will search for symptoms of depression, neurological disorders and abuse of drugs. Your doctor will ask you about any previous psychiatric treatments you have received and whether you have an previous history of mental illness in your family.
Your doctor will also conduct a physical examination and inquire about your medications. Your doctor will want to rule out physical conditions which could be the cause of your symptoms. Answer every question honestly and completely. You may be asked to keep a journal of your thoughts and feelings, or if you wish to bring someone from your family or friends to the assessment interview. Your doctor will also likely conduct laboratory tests including bloodwork and a urine sample.
In a mental health evaluation questionnaires or psychological tests are often employed. They are a great instrument to assess your mood, thinking abilities, memory and the way you interact with other people. They usually take the form of a written or verbal questionnaire. It is recommended to take these tests prior to your appointment so that you can talk about the results with your doctor.
Other tests use ratings scales that give doctors a more comprehensive overview of your emotional state. These tools can be used to determine signs of depression, anxiety and Bipolar disorder. They can also assist in determining the root of the problem such as dementia or other neurological diseases.
A psychiatric examination entails an interview with your doctor and may include psychotherapy such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy which is helpful in treating trauma. In certain instances the psychiatric illness could be so severe that it needs hospitalization in a mental health center.
Prevention
A mental health assessment can be an important first step in preventing the development of a mental illness worse. It can be used for treatment too, as it gives a clear picture of the person's mental and physical state. People who get an assessment of their mental health are more likely to begin receiving help for their problems earlier, which could increase their chances of recovery.
Depending on the purpose of the test, there are different ways to go about it. Children might be asked to keep a journal of their feelings for a few weeks or to ask family and friends about their behavior. The doctor may ask the patient a series of questions or conduct an interview to determine the way they feel. They could also conduct more thorough tests, like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.
The results of the mental health test determine if a person needs to seek out a specialist, like a psychologist or psychiatrist. If the test shows indications of mental illness, the doctor will provide advice on how to deal with it. They often suggest therapy. If the condition isn't treated it can result in poor mental health, and possibly suicide.
People suffering from mental illness should consult their GP if they have symptoms of anxiety or depression. If the symptoms persist for a long period of time, they can lead to other problems such as physical problems and dementia. Patients with a chronic medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease, must also ensure that they're being monitored for mood issues.
It's not uncommon for people to be embarrassed or ashamed of seeking help for mental health issues, and some family members might have a negative view of people who seek therapy. This can make it difficult for people to seek out the support they require. To help reduce stigma, healthcare professionals can utilize Quenza's Understanding Mental Health Stigma worksheet to aid their clients in discussing the issue with others.