Mental Health Assessment - What to Expect
Mental health problems can have a significant impact on the lives of people and their physical health. If you're worried about your mental health it's essential to take action and seek help as soon as possible.
A new law has come into force, giving service users the right to seek independent advocacy. It also imposes obligations on local authorities, Health Boards and other organizations to provide advocacy services.
What is an assessment of mental health?
Mental health assessments are designed to assist medical professionals understand the challenges you're experiencing. They can assist in to determine the best treatment option for you, whether that is medication or therapy. They can be used to track your treatment over time and determine its effectiveness.
A mental health assessment starts with a discussion regarding your symptoms and how they're affecting your life. It's important to be honest with your health professional during this phase of the process because it could have a significant influence on the kind of treatment you get.
The assessment process may involve various methods, such as interviews and psychometric tests. These questionnaires could be written or verbal and could focus on questions about how you feel, your thoughts, and your memory. They could also ask questions about your family history and previous mental health issues. In the course of the examination the healthcare professional will conduct a physical exam. This will help them determine any medical conditions which may be contributing to the symptoms you're experiencing, such as thyroid or diabetes.
During the mental health assessment, the healthcare professional will observe your behavior and ask about any issues at home or at work. They might also inquire about your past experience with alcohol or drugs, and any risk factors for mental illness, like a family history of depression or genetic characteristics. They may also inquire about any medication you're taking, and determine whether any of your symptoms are connected to a specific medication.
In assessing mental health , a healthcare professional will opt to conduct an additional psychological exam. They will usually use this to gather more information regarding the root of your symptoms, and will examine your previous experiences, relationships, personality, and interests. They might also do some tests to see how your brain functions like taking your reaction time and observing your eye movements. These tests are called neuropsychological tests.
A psychiatric assessment is performed by a psychiatrist or psychologist. These are doctors with specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They will evaluate you using a combination of psychological and physical methods and will discuss your diagnosis with you in detail.
What happens during a psychological test?
The doctor will inquire about your thoughts and feelings and also your behavior. They will also take into consideration any previous diagnoses and treatments you've had. They will also consider your family history, social history as well as any other information they believe might be helpful in determining the source of your symptoms. It is essential to answer all the questions honestly. This will give the doctor the best chance of getting an accurate diagnosis.
It is essential to be honest and forthcoming when answering the questions. The test will assist your doctor to determine what is causing your symptoms, and what treatment is most suitable for you.
During the examination the doctor will observe your behavior, appearance and your interactions with other people. They will be looking for any signs of anxiety, depression or psychosis. They will attempt to determine why you are feeling the way that you do.
They'll also want to know what type of work you do and if you take any medications. They will also want to be aware of if you've experienced any previous trauma and if you know of anyone who has experienced similar problems. They will also need to know if you suffer from a medical condition that is responsible for your symptoms, such as diabetes or heart disease.
The test could last between 30 and 90 minutes depending the reason why you're being seen. The doctor might have to conduct written or verbal assessments as well as an examination during the exam.
If you are not happy with the results of your mental health assessment You have the right to request a second opinion. You can arrange this through your local NHS trust. You can also ask your psychiatrist or care coordinator for advice and help.
What should I expect from an assessment of my mental health?
The assessing professional will ask about your medical history, family history, and any symptoms you've been experiencing. They will also review previous treatments for psychiatric disorders and the current medication. This review is important because it will help professionals rule out any physical reasons for your symptoms.
Your assessment will also involve physical examination. It could involve urine and blood tests as well as a review your reflexes. If there's a chance you have a neurological issue it is possible to request an EEG or CT scan.
It is essential to be honest during the interview, and to be able to answer all the questions asked by the professional assessing you. This will help them form an accurate diagnosis and decide the best treatment option for you. Remember that getting an accurate diagnosis can take a long time. It's normal for people to feel a bit anxious and frustration while waiting for a diagnosis.
In some instances the assessment of mental health will include an in-depth examination of the person to look for signs such as suicidal thoughts or aggression towards themselves or others. This is usually a important aspect of the assessment and will require the help of a qualified therapist.
If mental health assessors determine that someone poses a risk to themselves or others, they may decide that this person needs to be admitted to hospital. Based on the circumstances, they might be admitted right after their assessment or at some later date.
The professionals will also be able observe how an individual interacts with family members and with other people. They'll ask questions about the main sources of stress as well as any traumatic events that have been a part of the individual's life. The doctors who perform the evaluation will need to have completed authorization and consent forms from the patient before the evaluation can begin.
You can always get an additional opinion if family members of the person are concerned that the experts assessing them might not be providing the most accurate diagnosis. This can be done through your doctor or private therapists, or through community mental health services.
What can I do if I'm not happy with my mental health assessment?
It is important to let your voice be heard in the event that you are not happy with the outcome of an assessment. Health and social care professionals must always explain the appointment, indicating the nature of the appointment and how long it is scheduled to last. They should also inform you who they'll be sharing information with, and why and get your permission before doing so. You may bring a person who is a friend or an advocate to your assessment, and they can represent your views and interests. They can be volunteers, like mental health charity workers or they could be professionals, like lawyers.
It's important to remember the aim of a mental health assessment is to help people get better. If you're unable to be honest with the professional who's conducting the assessment, it's not likely that they'll be able to evaluate and treat you effectively.
NHS offers free mental health care However, you should be aware that there may be waiting lists and that the wait could cause your symptoms to worsen. If you are unable to wait for treatment, you may pay privately to receive an assessment and treatment. This is not an option for everyone but when you can afford it, it's worth looking into.
It's also worth keeping in your mind that the way in which the NHS operates has changed. In parts of England, new Integrated Care Systems were introduced that bring together different health and health services. This means that you could be referred to an entirely different Mental Health Team (MHT) than before.
It is crucial to speak up in the event that you don't agree with the treatment or the assessment. It isn't easy to voice your concerns but it's important. Your mental health professional should be able to arrange an additional opinion or refer you to a different service. If they do not then you may want to seek out an advocacy group that is independent, such as Rethink or Mind to submit an appeal on your behalf.
The MHT will transfer your care to the new provider as soon as possible when you move, however this isn't a guarantee. You should also let your MHT know you are moving, as it could affect the amount of assistance you receive from them.