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Mental Health Assessment – What to Expect Mental health issues can have an enormous impact on people's lives and their physical well-being. If you're worried about your mental wellbeing it's essential to take action and seek help as soon as you can. A new law is now in force that grants the users of services the right to an independent advocacy. It also imposes obligations on local authorities and Health Boards to provide advocacy services. What is a mental health assessment? Mental health assessments are designed to aid healthcare professionals understand the problems you're experiencing. They can be used for finding the most effective treatment for you, whether that is therapy or medication. They can be used to track your treatment over time and evaluate its effectiveness. A mental health evaluation begins with a discussion of your symptoms and how they impact your life. It's essential to be open and honest during this phase of the process. This can have a significant impact on the treatment you receive. The assessment process can include various methods, including interviews as well as psychometric tests. These questionnaires may be verbal or written, and might ask questions about your thoughts, feelings, and memory. They may also ask questions about things like your family history, and any previous mental health issues. In addition to these questions the healthcare professional might want to do a physical exam as part of the assessment. This will aid in determining any medical conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms, like diabetes or thyroid problems. During the mental health evaluation, the healthcare professional will be observing your behavior and ask you about any issues at home or at work. They might inquire about your previous experiences with drugs or alcohol and about any risk factors that could contribute to mental illness like the family history of depression or genetic traits. They may also inquire about any medications you're taking and will determine whether any of your symptoms are related to particular medications. In private mental health assessment uk may opt to conduct an additional psychological exam. This is typically conducted to find out more about the underlying cause of the symptoms as well as examine your personality, your past experiences, and interests. They may also perform tests to determine how your brain functions, such as testing your reaction time and your eye movements. These tests are referred to as neuropsychological testing. A psychiatric examination is performed by a psychologist or psychiatrist. These professionals are skilled in diagnosing and treating mental disorders. They will assess you using a combination of psychological and physical methods and discuss your diagnosis in depth. What happens during a psychological assessment? The doctor will inquire about your thoughts and feelings and also your behavior. They will also take into consideration any previous diagnoses or treatments that you might have had. They will also consider your family history, social history as well as any other information they feel might be helpful in determining the root of your symptoms. It is essential to answer all of the questions with honesty. This will give your doctor the best chance to provide an accurate diagnosis. It is essential to be honest and open when answering the questions. This is because the evaluation will help your doctor figure out what could be the cause of your symptoms and determine what type of treatment is most suitable for you. During the appointment, your doctor will observe your appearance, behavior and your interactions with other people. They will look for signs of psychosis, anxiety, or depression, and will try to understand the emotions you are experiencing. They should also know if you are taking any medication, and what kind of work you perform. They should be aware about any traumas you've experienced and will want to know if you have any friends or family who have experienced similar issues. They will also need to be aware of any medical condition that might be causing your symptoms, such as diabetes or heart disease. The assessment is expected to take between 30 to 90 minutes, based on the reason you are being examined. The doctor may have to complete written or verbal assessments as well as perform an examination during the assessment. You are entitled to request an alternative opinion if you are unhappy with the results of your mental health assessment. You can arrange this through your local NHS trust. You can also consult your psychiatrist or care coordinator for advice and assistance. What do I get from a mental health test? The professional assessing you will ask you questions about your medical history, your family history, as well as any symptoms that you have been experiencing. They may also review past treatments for psychiatric disorders and the current medication. This is important as it can help doctors determine if there are any physical causes for your symptoms. Your examination will also involve a physical exam. It could involve blood and urine tests as in addition to an assessment of your balance and reflexes. If there's a chance you're suffering from a neurological issue, they may also order an EEG or CT scan. It is crucial to be truthful and answer all questions asked by the doctor who is evaluating you. This will assist them in making an accurate diagnosis and determine the best treatment option for you. However, remember that it could take time to get an accurate diagnosis. It's common for patients to be anxious and angry as they wait for a diagnose. In certain situations an assessment of mental health could include a thorough examination of the person to find signs such as suicidal thoughts or aggression towards others or themselves. This is usually a 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 could determine that the person needs to be admitted into a hospital. Based on their situation, they may be admitted immediately following their evaluation or after. The assessing professionals will also be able observe how the individual interacts with their family and other people in their lives. They'll ask questions about the most significant sources of stress as well as any traumatic events that have occurred in the person's life. Before the evaluation can begin the medical professional who will be conducting it must have the authorization and consent forms signed by the person. You can always seek a second opinion if the family members of the person are concerned that the experts conducting the assessment might not be giving the best diagnosis. This can be done through your doctor or private therapists as well as community mental health services. What should I do if I'm not satisfied with my mental health assessment? It is important to let your voice be heard if you are not satisfied with the results of an assessment. Health and social care professionals should always be able to explain the appointment, including the nature of the appointment and how long it is scheduled to last. They should also inform you who they will be sharing information with, and why and seek your permission before doing so. You can bring a companion or an advocate along to your assessment and they will be able to represent your opinions and interests. They can be volunteers, like mental health charity workers or they could be professionals, such as lawyers. Some people might find the experience of having an assessment for mental health difficult or distressing however, it's important to remember that the goal is to help you recover. If you're not able to be open with the professional who's conducting the assessment, it's unlikely that they'll be able to assess and treat you effectively. NHS provides free mental health care, but you should be aware that there might be waiting lists, and waiting can make your symptoms worse. If you're unable to wait for treatment, you can pay privately to receive an assessment and treatment. This is not an option for everyone but when you can pay for it, it's worth considering. It's important to remember that the NHS has changed. In some parts of England the new Integrated Care Systems were introduced that bring together different health and health-related organizations. You may be referred by a different Mental Health Team than before. If you believe that the treatment or assessment you're receiving doesn't work for you, it's vital to let them know. It can be difficult, but it's crucial to be vocal. Your mental health professional will be able to provide an appointment for a second opinion or refer you to a different service. If they can't then it could be worth making a request for a complaint to be made on your behalf by an independent advocacy organisation, such as Rethink or Mind. If you move your home, the MHT should transfer your entire care to a new service as quickly as they can. However it's not guaranteed. It's also important to let your MHT know when you're moving to a new home and this could affect the level of support you receive from them.