Mental Health Assessment - What to Expect
Mental health issues can have a major impact on people's mental and physical health. If you are worried about your mental health, it's imperative to act and seek help as soon as possible.
A new law is in force that gives the users of services the right to an independent advocacy. It also requires local authorities and Health Boards to provide advocacy.
What is an assessment of mental health?
Mental health assessments are created for healthcare professionals to understand your issues. They can be used to determine the best treatment options for you, whether it 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 about your symptoms and their impact on your life. It's important to be honest in this stage of the process. This can have a significant impact on the treatment you receive.
The assessment process may involve several different methods, such as interviews and psychometric tests. These questionnaires can be written or verbal, and can focus on questions about how you feel as well as your thoughts and your memory. These questionnaires can also inquire about your family history or any previous mental health issues. As part of the evaluation, the healthcare professional will also perform a physical examination. This will aid in determining any medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms, like thyroid issues or diabetes.
During the mental health assessment, the healthcare professional will observe your behaviour and ask you about any issues at home or at work. They might inquire about your history of using drugs or alcohol, and about any risk factors that could contribute to mental illness such as the family history of depression or genetic traits. They might also ask about any medications you're taking and determine whether your symptoms are linked to specific medications.
In some cases, the healthcare professional may decide to conduct a more in-depth psychological examination. This is typically performed to learn more about the cause of symptoms and to examine your personality, past experiences and interests. They may also perform tests to assess how your brain functions, such as measuring reaction times and examining your eye movements. These tests are called neuropsychological tests.
A psychologist or psychiatrist can perform a psychiatric evaluation. These professionals are trained to diagnose and treating mental disorders. They will assess you with a mix of psychological and physical 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 behaviour. They will also consider any previous diagnoses and treatment that you have had. They will also review your family and social history and any other information that could help them work out what is causing your symptoms. It is crucial to answer all the questions with honesty. This will give your doctor the best chance to make an accurate diagnosis.
The questions you are asked might be difficult or upsetting However, it is vital that you talk about your feelings and experiences with confidence. The assessment will allow your doctor to determine what could be causing your symptoms, and the best treatment for you.
During the appointment, your doctor will observe your manner of conduct, appearance and how you interact with other people. They will be looking for any symptoms of depression, anxiety or psychosis. They will try to understand why you're experiencing the way you are.
They'll also want know what type of work you perform and if you take any medications. They should also know about any traumas you have experienced and will want to know if you have any family members or friends who have had similar experiences. They will want to be aware of whether you suffer from heart disease or diabetes which could be causing the symptoms.
The test can last between 30 minutes and 90 minutes, depending the reason you are seen. The doctor will require written or oral tests to complete during the assessment and might carry out a physical examination as well.
assessment mental health are entitled to seek an additional opinion if you're not satisfied with the results of your mental health assessment. The local NHS trust will have a system to handle this and can arrange for it. You can also ask your doctor or care coordinator for advice and support.
What can I expect from a mental health assessment?
The assessing professional will ask about your medical background, family history, and any issues you've experienced. They might also review your past treatments for psychiatric disorders and the current medication. This review is important because it can help doctors rule out any physical reasons for your symptoms.
Your evaluation will consist of an examination of your body. This can include blood and urine tests as well as an assessment of your reflexes and balance. If they suspect that you have a neurological issue, they might also order an EEG scan or CT scan.
It is crucial to be truthful during the interview, and to be able to answer all the questions of the professional who is assessing. This will assist them in making an accurate diagnosis and decide the best treatment option for you. Remember that getting an accurate diagnosis can take a long time. It's common for patients to feel anxious and frustrated while they wait for a diagnosis.
In certain situations, a full mental health evaluation will include examining an individual for any indications of suicidal behavior or violence toward themselves or others. This is an essential component of the assessment and you'll require the help of a trained professional.
If mental health assessors decide that someone is a risk to themselves or others, they could decide that the person has to be admitted to a hospital. Depending on the circumstances they might be admitted right after the assessment or at some later date.
The professionals assessing the person will be able to see how the person interacts with family and with other people in their lives. They will inquire about the most important causes of stress, as well as any traumatizing experiences the person has experienced. Before the evaluation can begin the medical professional who will be conducting it must have authorization and consent forms signed by the patient.
If the individual's family members are worried that the professionals assessing them might not be giving them the most accurate diagnosis they are able to request an additional opinion. You can do this by contacting your doctor, private therapists or community mental health services.
What can I do if I'm unhappy with my mental health assessment?
It is important to let your voice be heard when you aren't satisfied with the outcome of an assessment. Health and social care professionals must always be able to explain the appointment, including the time it will be held and how long it's scheduled to last. They should also tell you why and who will share your information, and get your permission prior to sharing. You can also bring a friend or advocate with you to your appointment and they could represent your views and interests. They could be professionals like lawyers, or even volunteers like mental health workers from charities.
Some people might find the experience of having a mental health assessment difficult or stressful however, it's important to remember that the goal is to help you improve. If you're unable to be honest with the person conducting the assessment, it's not likely that they'll be able and treat you effectively.
NHS offers free mental health care however, you must be aware that there could be waiting lists and waiting can make your symptoms worse. If you're unable to wait, you can pay for an evaluation and treatment in private. This isn't for everyone, but it's a possibility if you're able to afford it.
It's important to remember that the NHS has changed. In parts of England the new Integrated Care Systems were introduced that bring together different health and health services. This means that you could be being referred to an entirely different Mental Health Team (MHT) than you were before.
If you believe that the treatment or assessment you're receiving doesn't work for you, it's crucial to let them know. This can be challenging but it's essential to speak up. Your mental health professional will be able arrange for an additional opinion, or suggest a different service. If they don't then it could be worth asking for a complaint to be filed on your behalf by an independent advocacy group like Rethink or Mind.
The MHT will transfer your care to the new provider in the shortest time possible in the event of a move, but this isn't guaranteed. It's also important to let your MHT know if you're moving to a new home, as this can affect the level of support you receive from them.