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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 well-being. If you are concerned about your mental health, it is crucial to act and seek help as soon as possible. A new law has come into force giving customers of services the right to access 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 created for healthcare professionals to comprehend your problems. They can assist in to determine the best treatment option for you, regardless of whether it is therapy or medication. They can also be used to track your treatment over time and assess its effectiveness. A mental health assessment begins with a discussion of your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. It's important to be honest in this phase. This could be a major influence on the treatment you receive. The assessment process could consist of psychometric tests or interviews. These questionnaires may be verbal or written, and they might ask questions about your thoughts, feelings and memories. They may also include questions about things like your family history and previous mental health issues. In the course of the examination the healthcare professional will conduct a physical examination. This can help them determine any medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms, like diabetes or thyroid problems. During the mental health assessment, a healthcare professional will observe your behavior and ask about any problems at home or at work. They might also inquire about your past experiences with drugs or alcohol and any risk factors for mental illness, for instance, a family history of depression or genetic traits. They might also inquire about any medications you're taking and determine whether any of your symptoms are related to a specific medication. In some cases, the medical professional might decide to conduct a more deep psychological examination. The majority of times, they will conduct this to collect more information regarding the root of your symptoms, and will review your past experiences, relationships, personality, and hobbies. They may also conduct tests to see how your brain functions by measuring your reaction times and looking at your eye movements. These tests are called neuropsychological tests. A psychiatrist or psychologist can complete a psychiatric assessment. These professionals are trained in diagnosing and treating mental disorders. They will assess you using a combination of psychological and physical methods, and will discuss your diagnosis with you in depth. What happens during a psychological assessment? The doctor will inquire about your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. They will also take into consideration any previous diagnoses or treatments that you've received. They will also review your family history and social history, as well as any other information that may help them work out the cause of your symptoms. It is crucial to answer all questions in a straight and honest manner. This will give the doctor the best chance to get an accurate diagnosis. Some of the questions that you are asked might be difficult or upsetting It is important that you try to be honest about your feelings and experiences openly. This is because the evaluation will help your doctor work out what could be the cause of your symptoms and determine what type of treatment would be the most suitable for you. During the visit, your doctor will also take note of the way you behave as well as your appearance and manner in which you interact with other people. They will be looking for signs of anxiety, psychosis or depression, and will try to understand what you are feeling. They'll also want to be aware of the type of work you do and if you are taking any medications. They will need to know about any previous traumas you've been through and will want to know if you have any relatives or friends who have experienced similar problems. They will also want to be aware of any medical condition that could be the cause of your symptoms, such as heart disease or diabetes. The examination will take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the reason why you are being examined. The doctor will have written or oral 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 are entitled to seek an opinion from a second source. The local NHS trust will have a system to handle this and can arrange for it. You can also ask your psychiatrist or care co-ordinator for assistance and advice on this. What can I expect from a mental health assessment? The doctor who examines you will ask questions about your medical history, family history and any symptoms that you have been experiencing. They might also review your past treatment for psychiatric issues and current medications. This is essential because it helps professionals rule out physical causes of your symptoms. The test will include an examination of your body. It could involve urine and blood tests, and a review of your reflexes. If you suspect that you're suffering from a neurological issue, they may also order an EEG or CT scan. how can i get a mental health assessment is important 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. However, remember that it may take time to obtain an accurate diagnosis. It's normal for individuals to feel a bit anxious and frustration as they wait for an answer. In some instances, a full mental health evaluation will include examining an individual for any signs of suicidal behaviour or violence toward them or others. This is often a serious aspect of the evaluation and will require the help of a qualified psychotherapist. If mental health assessors find that someone poses a threat to themselves or others, they might decide that the person has to be admitted to hospital. Depending on the circumstances they could be admitted immediately after the assessment or at some later date. The professionals will also be able observe how a person interacts with relatives and other individuals. They'll ask questions about the main sources of stress as well as any traumatizing events that have been a part of the individual's life. Before the evaluation can begin the physician who will be conducting the assessment must have the authorization and consent forms signed by the patient. 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 your GP or private therapists as well as community mental health services. What can I do if I'm not satisfied with my mental health assessment? It is crucial to tell someone when you aren't satisfied with the outcome of an assessment. Health and social care professionals must explain the appointment, indicating the time it will be held and how long anticipated to last. They should also inform you who they'll be sharing information with, and why and get your permission before doing so. You can bring an advocate or a friend to your assessment. They can represent your interests and opinions. They could be volunteers like mental health charity workers or they can be professionals, like lawyers. Some people might feel the process of having an assessment of their mental health challenging or distressing however, it's important to remember that the goal is to help you get better. If you're not able communicate with the professional conducting the assessment, it's not likely that they'll be able to assess and treat you appropriately. NHS offers free mental health treatment However, you should be aware that there might be waiting lists and the wait could make your symptoms worse. If you're unable to wait, you can pay to have an assessment and treatment privately. This isn't an option for all, but it's a possibility if you can afford it. It is also important to keep in your mind that the way in which the NHS operates has changed. New Integrated Care Systems have been rolled out in parts of England and these bring together various health and care organizations. This means you might be being referred to an alternative Mental Health Team (MHT) than you were before. If you feel that the treatment or evaluation you're receiving doesn't work for you, it's vital to voice your concerns. It can be difficult to express your opinion, but it is important. Your mental health professional will be able arrange for a second opinion, or refer you to a different service. If they aren't, you might want to seek out an independent advocacy group, such as Rethink or Mind to submit a complaint on your behalf. If you decide to move your home, the MHT will transfer your entire services to a new one as quickly as they can. However it's not guaranteed. It's also a good idea to let your MHT know if you are moving home in order to determine how much support you get from them.