Mental Health Assessment - What to Expect
Mental health issues can have a huge impact on people's mental and physical health. If you're worried about your mental wellbeing it's crucial to act and seek help as quickly as possible.
A new law is in force, which grants service users the right to an independent advocacy. It also places duties on local authorities and Health Boards to provide advocacy services.
What is an assessment of mental health?
Mental health assessments are made for healthcare professionals to understand your issues. They can be used for finding the best treatment option for you, whether it is therapy or medication. They can also be used to assess the effectiveness of your current treatment and monitor changes over time.
A mental health assessment starts by discussing your symptoms and their impact on your life. It's crucial to be honest in this stage 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 can be written or verbal and could concentrate on questions regarding how you feel about your thoughts, how you feel, and your memory. These questionnaires can also inquire about your family history and previous mental health issues. In the course of the examination the healthcare professional will conduct a physical examination. This will help them rule out any medical issues that could be contributing to your symptoms, such as thyroid issues or diabetes.
When you undergo a mental health evaluation, a healthcare professional will examine you and ask about any issues that you might be experiencing at work or at home. They may also ask about your past experience with alcohol or drugs and any risk factors for mental illness, for instance, an ancestor's history of depression or genetic traits. They could also inquire about any medication you're taking and check if your symptoms are related to certain medications.
In certain situations medical professionals may opt to conduct a more detailed psychological examination. This is usually done to find out more about the cause of the symptoms and also to examine your personality, your past experiences, and hobbies. They might also do some tests to assess how your brain is working like testing your reaction times and looking at your eye movements. These tests are known as neuropsychological testing.
A psychologist or psychiatrist may perform a psychiatric evaluation. These are doctors with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They will evaluate you using the use of both physical and psychological methods and will discuss your condition in detail.
What happens during a mental health assessment?
The doctor will inquire about your thoughts and feelings, as well as your behavior. They will also look at any prior diagnoses or treatments you may have received. They will also consider your family history and social history and any other information that could help them work out the cause of your symptoms. It is crucial to answer all questions honestly. This will give the doctor the best chance of getting an accurate diagnosis.
It is important to be honest and open when answering the questions. This is because the examination will help your doctor work out what is causing your symptoms and which type of treatment is most suitable for you.
During the interview the doctor will be paying attention to your behavior, appearance and how you interact with other people. They will look for signs of anxiety, psychosis or depression and will try to understand the emotions you are experiencing.
They should also be aware of if you're taking any medication and what sort of work you perform. They will also need to be aware of if you've experienced any kind of trauma in the past and if you know of people who have experienced similar issues. mental health assessment report should also know if you suffer from a medical condition that is responsible for your symptoms, such as diabetes or heart disease.
The examination should last between 30 to 90 minutes, based on the reason you are being seen. The doctor might have to take written or oral assessments as well as an examination of the body during the assessment.
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. The local NHS trust will have a procedure for this and will be able to arrange for it. You can also consult your psychiatrist or care coordinator for advice and help.
What do I get from a mental health assessment?
The assessing professional will ask about your medical history, family history, and any symptoms you've experienced. They may also review your current medications and previous treatments for psychiatric issues. This review is crucial because it helps professionals rule out physical causes of your symptoms.
Your assessment will also involve an examination of your body. This could include urine and blood tests, and also a review of your reflexes. If there's a chance you're suffering from a neurological problem it is possible to request an EEG or CT scan.
It is crucial to be truthful during the interview and answer all of the questions of the professional who is assessing. This will help them form an accurate diagnosis and decide the most effective treatment option for you. Be aware that getting a precise diagnosis can take time. It's normal for patients to experience anxiety and frustration as they wait for a diagnosis.
In certain situations an extensive mental health evaluation will include checking an individual for signs of suicidal behaviour or violence toward them or others. This is often a very serious aspect of the evaluation and will require the help of a qualified therapist.
If mental health assessors decide that someone poses a threat to themselves or others, they could decide that this person needs to be admitted into a hospital. Based on the circumstances, they might be admitted right after the assessment or at some later date.
The assessing professionals will also be able to see how the person interacts with family members and other people in their lives. They will ask about the main sources of stress, and any traumatic events that the person has been through. Before the evaluation can begin, the doctor who will be conducting the assessment must have consent and authorization forms signed by the person.
You can always seek an additional opinion if family members of the individual are concerned that the professionals who are evaluating them may not be giving the best diagnosis. You can do this through your doctor, private therapists or community mental health services.
What can I do if I'm unhappy with my mental health assessment?
It is crucial to tell someone in the event that you are not happy with the results of an assessment. Health and social care professionals should always explain what will happen during an appointment and how long it will last. They should also inform you who and why they will share your information and get your permission prior to sharing. You may bring a friend, or advocate to your appointment. They can represent your interests and your views. They can be volunteers, like mental health workers from charities or they could be professionals, like lawyers.
Some people may be able to find the experience of undergoing an assessment for mental health difficult or stressful however, it's important to remember that the purpose is to help you get better. If you can't be honest with the professional who is conducting the assessment they won't be able to assess you and treat you properly.
NHS provides free mental health services However, you should be aware that there might be waiting lists, and waiting could cause your symptoms to worsen. If you're unable to wait, you could pay to have an assessment and treatment privately. This isn't an option for everyone, but should you be able to pay for it, it's worth considering.
It is important to keep in mind that the NHS has changed. New Integrated Care Systems have been implemented in a few areas of England and they combine different health and care organisations. You could be referred by a different Mental Health Team than before.
It is crucial to voice your concerns if you don't like the treatment or the assessment. It can be difficult, but it's important that you speak up. Your mental health professional will be able to provide an additional opinion or refer you to a different service. If they can't, it might be worth seeking a complaint be made on your behalf by an independent advocacy organisation like Rethink or Mind.
The MHT should transfer your services to the new one in the shortest time possible when you move, however this isn't guaranteed. It's also important to let your MHT know that you're moving house, as this can affect the level of support you receive from them.