Mental Health Assessment - What to Expect
Mental health issues can have a an enormous impact on people's lives as well as their physical well-being. If you're concerned about your mental health, it is important to take action and seek assistance as soon as possible.
A new law is now in force, which grants the users of services the right to have independent advocacy. It also requires local authorities and Health Boards to offer advocacy services.
What is a Mental Health Assessment?
Mental health assessments are created for healthcare professionals to comprehend the issues you face. They can be used to find the best treatment options 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 begins by discussing your symptoms and the impact they have on your daily life. It's important to be open and honest during this phase. This can have a significant impact on the treatment you receive.
The assessment process could include psychometric tests and interviews. These questionnaires could be either verbal or written, and may ask questions about your thoughts, feelings and memories. These questionnaires can also inquire about your family history and previous mental health issues. In the course of the examination the healthcare professional will also conduct a physical examination. This can help them identify any medical conditions which may be causing the symptoms you're experiencing, such as thyroid or diabetes.
During the mental health assessment, the healthcare professional will be observing your behavior and ask you about any problems at home or at work. They may ask about your previous experiences with drugs or alcohol and about any risk factors that could lead to mental illness like a family background of depression or genetic characteristics. They might also inquire about any medications you're taking and will determine whether any of your symptoms are linked to specific medications.
In some cases, a healthcare professional will opt to conduct more thorough psychological tests. They usually utilize this procedure to gather more details about the source of your symptoms. They will examine your previous experiences, relationships, personality, and interests. They may also perform tests to assess the way your brain works including taking note of your reaction times and looking at your eye movements. These tests are also known as neuropsychological testing.
A psychiatric assessment can be completed by a psychiatrist or psychologist. These professionals are trained to diagnose and treating mental disorders. They will assess you with a mix of physical and psychological methods, and will discuss the diagnosis with you in detail.
What happens during a mental health assessment?
The doctor will inquire about your thoughts and feelings, and also your behavior. They will also take into consideration any previous diagnoses and treatment that you've received. They will also consider your family history, social history and any other information they feel might be helpful in determining the cause of your symptoms. Answer all questions honestly. This will give your doctor the best chance of making an accurate diagnosis.
It is important to be honest and transparent when answering the questions. This is because the assessment will help your doctor work out what could be the cause of your symptoms and which type of treatment would be most suitable for you.
During the examination the doctor will pay attention to your behavior, appearance and your interactions with other people. They will be looking for signs of anxiety, depression or psychosis and will try to understand why you're feeling the way that you are.
They'll also want know what kind of work you do and if you take any medication. They will need to know about any traumas you've been through and will want to know if have any family members or friends who have had similar experiences. They will need to determine if you suffer from heart disease or diabetes which could be responsible for the symptoms.
The examination can last anywhere between 30 minutes and 90 minutes, depending the reason you are examined. The doctor may need to conduct written or verbal assessments as well as an examination during the examination.
You have the right to ask for an additional opinion if you're not satisfied with the results of your mental health assessment. Your local NHS trust will have a procedure to handle this and will be able to arrange for it. You can also contact your doctor or care coordinator for advice and support.
What should I expect during a mental health assessment?
The professional assessing you will ask you questions about your medical history, family history as well as any symptoms you've been experiencing. They will also review your current medications and previous treatments for psychiatric issues. This review is important because it can help doctors identify any physical cause for your symptoms.
The test will include a physical examination. It could involve blood and urine testing, and a review of your reflexes. If they suspect you have a neurological issue They may also recommend an EEG scan or CT scan.
It is essential to be honest and answer all questions asked by the professional assessing you. This will assist them in making an accurate diagnosis and identify the best treatment option for you. But, keep in mind that it can take some time to get an accurate diagnosis. It's normal for patients to feel a bit anxious and frustration as they wait for an answer.
In some instances, a full mental health assessment will involve checking an individual for signs of suicidal behavior or violence towards themselves or others. This is often a very serious aspect of the evaluation and requires the assistance of a qualified psychotherapist.
If mental health assessors determine that someone is a risk to themselves or others, they might decide that this person needs to be admitted to a hospital. Depending on the circumstances they could be admitted immediately after the assessment or at a later date.
The professionals assessing the person will be able observe how the person interacts with their family and with other people in their lives. They'll ask questions about the most significant sources of stress and about any traumatic events that have been a part of the individual's life. The doctors who carry out the examination will need have completed authorization and consent forms from the person before the evaluation can begin.
If mental assessment are concerned that the professionals who are assessing them may not be providing the most accurate diagnosis, they can always request a second opinion. You can do this by contacting 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?
If you aren't satisfied with the results of your examination It's crucial to tell someone. Health and social care professionals must always explain the appointment, including what will take place and how long it's anticipated to last. They should also explain to you who and why they will share your personal information, and get your permission prior to sharing. You can invite an advocate, or a friend to your assessment. They could represent your interests and your opinions. They can be volunteers, like mental health professionals, or they can be professionals, such as lawyers.
It is important to keep in mind that the goal of a mental health evaluation is to assist patients in getting better. If you can't be honest with the person conducting the assessment they won't be able to evaluate you and treat you properly.
NHS offers free mental health services, but you should be aware that there may be waiting lists, and waiting can make your symptoms worse. If you feel you're unable to wait, you could pay for an assessment and treatment done privately. This isn't a viable option for everyone but if you are able to pay for it, it's worth taking into consideration.
It is also important to keep in mind that the manner in which the NHS operates has changed. New Integrated Care Systems have been implemented in various parts of England and they connect different health and care institutions. You may be referred by an entirely different Mental Health Team than before.
If you feel that the treatment or evaluation you're receiving isn't working for you, it's important to voice your concerns. It can be difficult to speak up but it's important. Your mental health professional will be able to get an additional opinion or refer you to another service. If they do not then you may want to contact an independent advocacy group, such as Rethink, or Mind to submit an appeal on your behalf.
If you are moving your home, the MHT will transfer all of your support to a new provider as quickly as they can. However this isn't always the case. It's also important to let your MHT know when you are moving home, as this can affect the level of support you receive from them.