Mental Health Assessment - What to Expect
Mental health issues can have a huge impact on people's mental and physical wellbeing. If you are concerned about your mental health, it's crucial to act and seek assistance as soon as possible.
A new law has entered force, granting service users a right to have independent advocacy. The law 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 made by healthcare professionals to help them understand your problems. They can be used to determine the best treatment options for you, whether that is medication or therapy. They can also be used to determine the effectiveness of your current treatment and track changes over time.
A mental health evaluation begins with a discussion of your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. It's important to be honest with your healthcare professional during this part of the process, as it can have a big influence on the kind of treatment you'll receive.
The process of assessment can involve several 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 about your thoughts, how you feel, and your memory. These questionnaires can also inquire about your family history or previous mental health problems. As part of the assessment, the healthcare professional will also conduct a physical exam. This will help them determine any medical conditions which may be contributing to the symptoms you are suffering from, for example, thyroid or diabetes.
During the mental health evaluation, the healthcare professional will observe your behavior and ask you about any problems at home or at work. They may also ask about your past experience with alcohol or drugs, and any risk factors for mental illness, like the family history of depression or genetic characteristics. They might also inquire about any medications you are taking and determine whether your symptoms are connected to certain medications.
In some cases, a healthcare professional will opt to conduct more thorough psychological tests. This is typically conducted to find out more about the root of the symptoms and also to look at your personality, past experiences, and hobbies. They might also conduct tests to determine how your brain functions by taking note of your reaction times and looking at your eye movements. These tests are referred to as neuropsychological tests.
A psychiatric evaluation can be completed by a psychologist or psychiatrist. These are doctors with specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They will examine you using a combination of psychological and physical techniques and will discuss your condition with you in depth.
What happens during a psychological evaluation?
The doctor will ask you about your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. They will also take into consideration any previous diagnoses or treatments that you have had. They will also look at your family and social history and any other information that could help them work out the cause of your symptoms. It is important that you answer all questions in a straight and honest manner. This will give your doctor the best chance to make an accurate diagnosis.
Some of the questions you are asked may be difficult or upsetting It is important that you try to talk about your feelings and experiences in a candid manner. The evaluation will assist your doctor to determine what may be causing your symptoms, and what treatment is most suitable for you.
During the examination, your doctor will also pay attention to how you are behaving as well as your appearance and manner in which you interact with other people. They will look for signs of depression, anxiety or psychosis. They will look into the reasons you're feeling the way that you do.
They should also be aware of whether you are taking any medication and what sort of work you are doing. They will need to know about any previous traumas you have experienced and will be interested in knowing if you have any friends or family who have had similar experiences. They will need to determine if you suffer from heart disease or diabetes, which could be the cause of the symptoms.
The test can last anywhere between 30 minutes and 90 minutes depending the reason you are examined. The doctor may have to complete written or verbal assessments and perform a physical exam during the examination.
If you're not satisfied with the results of your mental health assessment, you have the right to seek a second opinion. Your local NHS trust will have a system for this and will be able to arrange it for you. Alternatively, you can ask your psychiatrist or care coordinator for advice and assistance on this.
What can I expect during an assessment of my mental health?
The person who is assessing you will ask questions about your medical history, your family history, as well as any symptoms you've been experiencing. They might also review your past treatments for psychiatric disorders and the current medication. This review is important because it will help professionals identify any physical cause for your symptoms.
Your assessment will also involve a physical exam. It could involve urine and blood tests as in addition to an examination of your balance and reflexes. If you think you have a neurological issue it is possible to request an EEG or CT scan.
It is crucial to be truthful during the interview, and to answer all of the assessing professional's questions. This will assist them in making an accurate diagnosis and decide the most effective treatment option for you. But, keep in mind that it can take some time to receive an accurate diagnosis. It's common for people to be anxious and angry as they wait for a diagnose.
In some instances, a full mental health assessment may involve the person being examined for signs of suicidal behaviour or violence towards themselves or other people. This is an essential component of the assessment and you'll need the help of a trained professional.
If the mental health assessors determine that someone is a danger to themselves or others, they might decide that the person needs to be admitted to a hospital. Depending on the circumstances, they might be admitted right after their assessment or at some later date.
The professionals will also be able see how a person interacts with family members and other people. They will ask about the most important causes of stress and any traumatic events that the person has experienced. Before the assessment can begin, the doctor who will conduct it must have authorization and consent forms signed by the individual.
You can always get an alternative opinion if family members of the person are concerned that the professionals who are evaluating them may not give the best diagnosis. You can do this through your doctor or private therapists, or through community mental health services.
What should I do if I'm unhappy with my mental health assessment?
It's important to speak up when you aren't satisfied with the results of an assessment. Health and social care professionals must explain the appointment, including the time it will be held and how long it is anticipated to last. They should also tell you who they'll be sharing information with, and why, and ask for your consent prior to sharing information. You can bring an advocate, or a friend to your appointment. They can represent your interests and your opinions. They can be professionals, such as lawyers or even volunteers such as mental health workers from charities.
Some people might be able to find the experience of undergoing a mental health assessment difficult or even painful however, it's important to remember that the goal is to help you get better. If you're not able communicate with the person carrying out the assessment, it's unlikely they'll be able to evaluate and treat you appropriately.
NHS provides free mental health treatment, but you should be aware that there might be waiting lists, and the wait could cause your symptoms to worsen. If you're unable to wait for treatment, you can pay privately for an assessment and treatment. This isn't for all, but it's a possibility if you can afford it.
It's also worth keeping in mind that the way the NHS operates has changed. New Integrated Care Systems have been rolled out in parts of England and they connect different health and care institutions. You could be referred to an entirely different Mental Health Team than before.
It's important that you speak up if you don't like the treatment or the assessment. This can be challenging but it's essential to make a statement. Your mental health professional will be able get a second opinion, or recommend you to a different service. If how to get mental health assessment , 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 care to the new service in the shortest time possible when you move, however this isn't a guarantee. It's also a good idea to let your MHT know that you're moving to a new home and this could affect the amount of support you receive from them.