Mental Health Assessment - What to Expect
Mental health issues can have a significant impact on people's mental and physical well-being. If you're worried about your mental health it's essential to take action and seek assistance as soon as possible.
A new law has come into force giving service users a right to access independent advocacy. It also imposes obligations on local authorities and Health Boards to offer advocacy services.
What is an assessment of mental health?
Mental health assessments are designed to assist medical professionals understand the challenges you're facing. They can be used for finding the best treatment option for you, whether that is medication or therapy. They can also be used to assess the effectiveness of your current treatment and track changes over time.
A mental health assessment starts with a discussion about your symptoms and how they affect 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 a variety of different methods, including interviews as well as psychometric tests. These questionnaires could be written or verbal and could 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. In the course of the examination, the healthcare professional will also conduct a physical examination. This will help them determine any medical conditions that may be contributing to the symptoms you are experiencing, like thyroid or diabetes.
During the mental health evaluation, the health professional will monitor your behavior and ask you about any issues you may have at home or at work. They may ask about your previous experiences of using drugs or alcohol, and about any risk factors that could contribute to mental illness like the family history of depression or genetic characteristics. They may also ask you about any medications you're taking and determine if your symptoms are related to certain medications.
In certain situations, a medical professional might decide to conduct a more in-depth psychological examination. This is typically done to find out more about the cause of the symptoms and also to look at your personality, your past experiences, and interests. They can also conduct tests to assess how your brain functions including measuring reaction times and examining your eye movements. These tests are also known as neuropsychological tests.
A psychiatric examination is performed by a psychiatrist or psychologist. They are doctors who have specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They will examine you with the use of both physical and psychological methods and discuss your diagnosis in depth.
What happens during a psychological evaluation?
The doctor will inquire about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They will also look at any prior diagnoses or treatments you might have had. They will also review your family history 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 honestly. This will give the doctor the best chance to get an accurate diagnosis.
Some of the questions you are asked may be difficult or upsetting However, it is vital that you try to talk about your feelings and experiences with confidence. This is because the assessment will help your doctor work out what could be the cause of your symptoms and what kind of treatment would be the most suitable for you.
During the interview your doctor will also be looking at the way you behave in your appearance, how you dress and the way you interact with other people. They will look for indications of psychosis, anxiety, or depression. They will also try to figure out the emotions you are experiencing.
They should also be aware of whether you are taking any medication and what sort of work you perform. They will also need to be aware of if you've experienced any trauma in the past and if you know of anyone who has experienced similar issues. They will also need to know if you suffer from a medical condition that is causing your symptoms, like heart disease or diabetes.
The assessment can last anywhere between 30 minutes and 90 minutes depending the reason you are seen. The doctor may have to take written or oral assessments as well as perform an examination of the body during the assessment.
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 for this and can arrange it for you. You can also consult your psychiatrist or care coordinator for advice and support.
What can I expect during an assessment of my mental health?
The assessing professional will ask about your medical history, family history, and any other symptoms you've experienced. They will also review previous treatments for psychiatric disorders and the current medication. This is essential because it allows professionals to rule out physical causes for your symptoms.
Your assessment will also involve physical examination. It could involve urine and blood tests, as along with a review of your reflexes and balance. If they suspect you be suffering from a neurological disorder it is possible to request an EEG scan or CT scan.
It is crucial to be truthful and answer all questions posed by the professional who is evaluating you. This will allow them to form an accurate diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment option for you. Be aware that it could take time to receive an accurate diagnosis. It's normal for individuals to experience some anxiety and frustration as they wait for an answer.
In certain situations, a full mental health assessment will involve examining an individual for any signs of suicidal behaviour or violence towards themselves or others. This is often a very serious part of the assessment and requires the assistance of a qualified psychotherapist.
If mental health assessors decide that someone poses a risk to themselves or others, they might decide that the person has to be admitted to a hospital. Depending on the circumstances, they could be admitted immediately after their assessment or at a later date.
The professionals will also be able see how a person interacts with family members and with other people. They'll ask questions about the main sources of stress and about any traumatic events that have occurred in the life of the person. Before the evaluation can begin, the doctor who will be conducting it must have the consent and authorization forms signed by the individual.
If family members of the person are concerned that the assessing professionals might not give them the best diagnoses, they can always get a second opinion. This can be done through their doctor or private therapists, or community mental health services.
What should I do if I'm not happy with my mental health assessment?
If you aren't satisfied with the results of your evaluation It's crucial to tell someone. Health and social care professionals should always explain the appointment, including the time it will be held and how long it's scheduled to last. They should also tell you who and why they will share your information, and get your permission prior to sharing. You may also bring a friend or an advocate 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 be able to find the experience of undergoing an assessment for mental health difficult or even painful It's crucial to remember that the purpose is to help you get better. If you don't share your truth with the professional who is conducting the assessment they won't be able to assess your needs and properly treat you.
The NHS offers no-cost mental health services. However, it's important to consider that there may be waiting lists for treatment, and this can make your symptoms worse. If you're unable to wait, you can pay for an assessment and treatment privately. This isn't a viable option for everyone, but it's an possibility if you can afford it.
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 these combine different health and care organisations. You could be referred to a different Mental Health Team than before.
It is crucial to speak up if you don't like the treatment or the assessment. It isn't easy to express your opinion but it's important. Your mental health professional will be able to get an additional opinion, or recommend you to another service. If they aren't, it might be worth asking for a complaint to be made on your behalf by an independent advocacy organisation, such as Rethink or Mind.
If you decide to move to another location, the MHT should transfer all your care to a new service as quickly as they can. However this isn't always the case. It's also worth letting your MHT know that you're moving to a new home, as this can affect the level of support you receive from them.