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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 health. If you are concerned about your mental health, it is imperative to act and seek help as quickly as possible. A new law is in force that gives the users of services the right to independent advocacy. It also imposes obligations on local authorities, Health Boards, and other organizations to provide advocacy services. What is a Mental Health Assessment? Mental health assessments are designed to aid healthcare professionals to understand the issues you're facing. They can help determine the most effective treatment options for you, whether that is medication or therapy. They can also be used to keep track of your treatment over time and evaluate its effectiveness. A mental health assessment begins by discussing your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. It's essential to be open and honest during this phase of the process. This can have a significant impact on the treatment you receive. The assessment process could consist of psychometric tests or interviews. These questionnaires could be either verbal or written, and might ask you questions about your thoughts, feelings and memories. These questionnaires could also inquire about your family history or previous mental health issues. In addition to these questionnaires medical professional may want to do an examination of your body as part of the evaluation. This can help them rule any medical conditions that may be causing the symptoms you're suffering from, for example, diabetes or thyroid. During the mental health assessment, the health professional will monitor your behavior and ask about any problems at home or at work. They may also ask about your previous experiences with alcohol or drugs, and any risk factors for mental illness, for instance, an ancestor's history of depression or genetic traits. They may also inquire about any medication you're taking, and will check whether any of your symptoms are connected to specific medications. In certain instances, the healthcare professional may decide to do a more deep psychological examination. This is usually performed to learn more about the root of the symptoms and also to examine your personality, your past experiences, and interests. They may also perform tests to assess how your brain functions by taking note of your reaction times and looking at your eye movements. These tests are known as neuropsychological testing. A psychiatric evaluation is performed by a psychologist or psychiatrist. These doctors are trained to diagnose and treating mental disorders. They will examine you with a combination of psychological and physical methods and discuss your diagnosis in depth. What happens during an assessment of mental health? The doctor will inquire about your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. They will also consider any previous diagnoses or treatments you've had. They will also look at your family and social history, as well as any other information that might aid them in determining 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. Some of the questions that you are asked could be difficult or upsetting However, it is vital that you discuss your feelings and experiences openly. Continue Reading is because the assessment will assist your doctor in figuring out what is causing your symptoms and determine what type of treatment would be most suitable for you. During the visit, your doctor will also pay attention to the way you behave in your appearance, how you dress and the manner in which you interact with other people. They will look for signs of depression, anxiety or psychosis. They will also attempt to determine why you might be feeling the way that you do. They will also want to be aware of the type of work you perform and if you are taking any medication. They should also know about any past trauma that you have experienced and will want to know if you have any friends or family who have experienced similar problems. They will also need to know if you suffer from a medical condition that could be the cause of your symptoms, such as heart disease or diabetes. The examination can last anywhere between 30 minutes and 90 minutes based the reason you are seen. The doctor will have written or verbal tests to take during the exam and may perform a physical exam as well. If you're not satisfied with the results of your mental health assessment You have the right to request an opinion from a second source. You can arrange this through your local NHS trust. You can also consult your psychiatrist or care coordinator for advice and assistance. What should I expect from a mental health assessment? The professional assessing you will ask questions about your medical history, your family history, as well as any symptoms you've experienced. They will also review previous psychiatric treatment and current medications. This is essential because it helps professionals rule out physical causes of your symptoms. Your assessment will include physical examination. It could involve blood and urine tests, as well as an examination of your balance and reflexes. If they suspect you may have a neurological problem, they might also order an EEG scan or CT scan. It is essential to be honest and answer all the questions posed by the professional who is evaluating you. This will allow them to form an accurate diagnosis and determine the best treatment option for you. Be aware that getting a precise diagnosis can take a long time. It's common for people to be anxious and angry as they wait for a diagnosis. In certain situations an extensive mental health evaluation will include the person being examined for signs of suicidal behavior or violence towards themselves or other people. This is an important aspect of the assessment and you'll require the assistance of a trained professional. If the mental health assessors find that someone poses a risk to themselves or others, they could determine that the person has to be admitted to a hospital. Depending on their circumstances, they may be admitted immediately after their evaluation or after. The professionals who assess the patient will be able to observe how the person interacts with their family and other people in their life. They'll ask questions about the most significant sources of stress as well as any traumatic events that may have occurred in the life of the person. The doctors who perform the examination will need have signed authorization and consent forms from the person prior to the evaluation being conducted. If the family members of the patient are worried that the professionals assessing them might not be giving them the best diagnoses they are able to seek a second opinion. This can be done by their doctor or private therapists. community mental health services. What can I do if I'm not satisfied with my mental health assessment? If you're unhappy with the results of your assessment, it's important that you make a statement. Health and social care professionals must be able to explain the appointment, including the nature of the appointment and how long it's expected to last. They should also tell you who they will be sharing information with, and why, and ask for your permission prior to sharing any information. You can bring an advocate or a friend to your assessment. They could represent your interests and views. They could be professionals such as lawyers, or even volunteers like mental health workers from charities. It's crucial to remember that the aim of a mental health assessment is to assist patients in getting better. If you can't be honest with the professional who is conducting the assessment, they won't be able assess you and treat you appropriately. NHS offers free mental health care, but you should be aware that there may be waiting lists, and waiting could cause your symptoms to get worse. If you're not able to wait, you could pay for an assessment and treatment done privately. This isn't an option for everyone, but it's an possibility if you can afford it. It's also worth bearing in mind that the way the NHS operates has changed. In parts of England there are new Integrated Care Systems were introduced that connect different health and health services. This means that you may be being referred to an alternative Mental Health Team (MHT) than you were before. If you feel that the treatment or assessment you're receiving isn't helping you, it's important to say so. It isn't easy to express your opinion however it's crucial. Your mental health professional will be able to get an additional opinion or refer you to an alternative service. If they don't, you might want to ask 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 service as soon as possible if you move, but this isn't guaranteed. It is also important to let your MHT know that you are moving, as this could affect the level of assistance you receive from them.