Mental Health Assessment - What to Expect
Mental health issues can have a a significant impact on the lives of people and their physical well-being. If you are worried about your mental health, it's imperative to act and seek help as soon as possible.
A new law has come into force, granting 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 an assessment of mental health?
Mental health assessments are designed to help healthcare professionals understand the problems you're experiencing. They can be used to identify the most effective treatment options for you, regardless of whether that is medication or therapy. They can also be used to keep track of your treatment over time and assess its effectiveness.
A mental health evaluation begins with a discussion about your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. It's important to be honest in this phase. This can be a major influence on the treatment you receive.
The assessment process can include several different methods, including interviews as well as psychometric tests. These questionnaires can be written or verbal, and can focus on questions about how you feel, your thoughts, and your memory. These questionnaires may also ask about your family history or any previous mental health problems. As part of the assessment, the healthcare professional will also conduct a physical exam. 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 healthcare professional will be observing your behaviour and ask you about any problems at home or at work. They may inquire about your past experiences with drugs or alcohol and about any risk factors that could contribute to mental illness like an ancestral history of depression or genetic traits. They might also ask about any medication you're taking and determine whether your symptoms are linked to specific medications.
In some cases, the medical professional might decide to do a more in-depth psychological examination. They will usually use this to gather more information about the cause of your symptoms. They will review your past experiences, relationships, personality, and other interests. They may also conduct tests to determine how your brain is functioning, such as taking your reaction time and observing your eye movements. These tests are also known as neuropsychological tests.
A psychologist or psychiatrist can perform a psychiatric evaluation. They are trained in diagnosing and treating mental disorders. They will assess you using the use of both physical and psychological methods and will discuss your condition in depth.
What happens during an assessment of mental health?
The doctor will ask about your thoughts and feelings, and also your behavior. They will also take into consideration any previous diagnoses and treatments that you have had. They will also consider your family and social history, as well as any other information that might aid them in determining the cause of your symptoms. It is essential to answer all the questions in a straight and honest manner. This will give the doctor the best chance of receiving an accurate diagnosis.
Some of the questions that you are asked could be difficult or upsetting, but it is essential to try to be honest about your feelings and experiences openly. This is because the assessment will help your doctor work out what is causing your symptoms and what kind of treatment is most suitable for you.
During the examination, your doctor will also take note of how you conduct yourself in your appearance, how you dress and the manner in which you interact with other people. They will be looking for any signs of depression, anxiety or psychosis. They will try to understand why you are experiencing the way you are.
They will also want to know what 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 be aware of any medical condition that could be the cause of the symptoms, such as heart disease or diabetes.
The test could last between 30 and 90 minutes, depending the reason you are assessed. The doctor may have to conduct written or verbal assessments and perform an examination during the examination.
If you're not satisfied with the outcome of your mental health assessment you are entitled to seek a second opinion. The local NHS trust will have a procedure to handle this and can arrange it for you. You can also consult your psychiatrist or care coordinator for advice and support.
What should I expect from a mental health assessment?
The person who is assessing you will ask questions about your medical history, family history and any symptoms that you have experienced. They may also review past treatment for psychiatric issues and current medications. This is important as it will allow professionals to identify any physical cause for your symptoms.
The test will also include a physical exam. This may include blood and urine testing, and also a review of your reflexes. If they suspect you may be suffering from a neurological disorder it is possible to request an EEG scan or CT scan.
It is crucial to be honest and answer all the questions asked by the professional assessing you. This will assist them in making an accurate diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment option for you. But, keep in mind that it may take time to get an accurate diagnosis. It's normal for people to feel a bit anxious and frustration while waiting for a diagnosis.
In some instances the full mental health assessment will involve the person being examined for signs of suicidal behavior or violence towards them or others. This is a very important part of the assessment, and you'll need the assistance of a trained professional.
If the mental health assessors determine that a person poses a threat to themselves or to others, they could decide that the person needs to be admitted to hospital. Depending on the circumstances, they could be admitted immediately after the assessment or at a later date.
The experts will also be able to observe how an individual interacts with family members and other people. They'll ask questions about the most significant sources of stress and about any traumatic events that 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 before the evaluation can begin.
You can always get an alternative opinion if family members of the individual are concerned that the professional assessing them might not be giving the best diagnosis. You can do this through your GP or private therapists, or through community mental health services.
What should 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 should always provide a clear explanation of what will happen during an appointment and how long it will last. They should also tell you who they'll be sharing information with and why and get your consent prior to sharing information. You may bring a friend, or advocate to your appointment. They can represent your interests and your views. They could be volunteers like mental health workers from charities or they can be professionals, like lawyers.
Some people might find the experience of having an assessment for mental health difficult or distressing, but it's important to remember that the aim is to help you recover. If you're unable to be open with the person carrying out the assessment, it's unlikely they'll be able and treat you effectively.
NHS offers free mental health treatment however, you must be aware that there may be waiting lists and that waiting could make your symptoms worse. If you're not able to wait for treatment, you may pay privately to receive an assessment and treatment. This isn't for everyone, but it's an possibility if you can afford it.
It's important to remember that the NHS has changed. In parts of England there are new Integrated Care Systems were introduced that connect different health care and health organizations. You could be referred by an entirely different Mental Health Team than before.
If you believe that the treatment or evaluation you're receiving isn't working for you, it's crucial to say so. It isn't easy to express your opinion but it's important. Your mental health professional is likely to be able arrange a second opinion or refer you to a different service. If they do not suggest it, you could seek out an independent advocacy group, such as Rethink or Mind to file a complaint on your behalf.
If you decide to move to another location, the MHT should transfer all your services to a new one as soon as is possible. However this isn't always the case. You should also let your MHT know you are moving, as it can affect the level of assistance you receive from them.