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Mental Health Assessment – What to Expect Mental health issues can have a significant impact on a person's mental and physical health. If you're concerned about your mental health it's essential to take action and seek assistance as soon as you can. A new law is in force that grants service users the right to an 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 help find the best 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 evaluate its effectiveness. A mental health assessment begins by discussing your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. It's important to be open and honest during this phase of the process. This can affect the treatment you receive. The assessment process may consist of psychometric tests or interviews. These questionnaires may be verbal or written, and might ask you questions about your thoughts, feelings and memories. They may also include questions about your family history and previous mental health issues. As independent mental health assessment of the assessment the healthcare professional will also perform a physical examination. This will help them determine any medical conditions that may be causing the symptoms you're suffering from, for example, diabetes or thyroid. During a mental health assessment A healthcare professional will examine you and ask about any problems that you might be experiencing at home or work. They may also ask about your past experience with alcohol or drugs, and any risk factors for mental illness, like an ancestor's history of depression or genetic characteristics. They may also inquire about any medication you're taking, and will determine whether your symptoms are linked to specific medications. In certain instances, the medical professional might decide to conduct a more in-depth psychological examination. This is typically performed to learn more about the underlying cause of the symptoms and also to look at your personality, past experiences, and interests. 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 known as neuropsychological testing. A psychologist or psychiatrist may complete a psychiatric assessment. These doctors are trained to diagnose and treating mental disorders. They will evaluate you using a combination of physical and psychological methods and will discuss your condition in depth. What happens during a mental health assessment? The doctor will ask you about your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. They will also consider any previous diagnoses and treatments you've had. They will also consider your family and social history, as well as any other information that could help them determine the cause of your symptoms. It is important that you answer all the questions honestly. This will give your doctor the best chance to provide an accurate diagnosis. It is crucial to be honest and forthcoming when answering the questions. This is because the examination will assist your doctor in figuring out what could be the cause of your symptoms and what kind of treatment is most suitable for you. During the interview, your doctor will be paying attention to your manner of conduct, appearance and your interactions with other people. They will be looking for signs of anxiety, psychosis or depression, and will attempt to determine what you feel. They'll also want to know what type of work you do and if you use any medications. They should also know whether you have had any previous trauma and if you know of someone who has had similar problems. They should know whether you have diabetes or heart disease, which could be the cause of the symptoms. The test will take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the reason you are being assessed. The doctor may have to take written or oral assessments as well as an examination during the exam. If you are not happy with the results of your mental health assessment you are entitled to request an additional opinion. The local NHS trust has a procedure for this and will be able to arrange for it. Alternatively, you can ask your psychiatrist or care coordinator for assistance and advice on this. What do I get from a mental health assessment? The professional assessing you will inquire about your medical history, family history and any symptoms you've been experiencing. They might also review your past psychiatric treatment and current medication. This review is crucial because it allows professionals to rule out physical causes of your symptoms. Your assessment will also involve physical examination. This could include blood and urine tests, as along with an assessment of your reflexes and balance. 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 honest and answer all questions asked by the professional assessing you. This will enable them to make an accurate diagnosis and determine which treatment is most appropriate for you. Remember that getting an accurate diagnosis can take time. It's normal for patients to experience anxiety and frustration while waiting for an answer. In some cases the assessment of mental health will include an exhaustive exam of the patient to look for indications of suicidal thinking or aggression towards themselves or others. This is often a very serious part of the assessment and will require the help of a qualified psychotherapist. If the mental health assessors discover that someone is a danger to themselves or others, they may determine that the person has to be admitted to a hospital. Depending on the circumstances, they may be admitted immediately after the assessment or at some later date. The professionals assessing the person will be able observe how the person interacts with family and other people in their life. They'll ask questions about the biggest sources of stress and about any traumatic events that have occurred in the person's life. The doctors who carry out the evaluation will need to have signed consent and authorization forms from the patient before they can begin the assessment. You can always seek an alternative opinion if family members of the person are concerned that the professional conducting the assessment might not be giving 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 not happy with my mental health assessment? If you aren't satisfied with the results of your assessment, it's important that you tell someone. Health and social care professionals must always explain the appointment, indicating the nature of the appointment and how long expected to last. They should also tell you who and why they will share your personal information, and get your permission prior to sharing. You can bring a friend, or advocate to your assessment. They can represent your interests and opinions. They can be professionals such as lawyers, or even volunteers like mental health charity workers. It's crucial to remember that the purpose of a mental health evaluation is to assist people in getting better. If you can't be honest with the person conducting the assessment, they won't be able evaluate your needs and properly treat you. The NHS offers no-cost mental health services. However, it's worth considering that there could be waiting lists for treatment and this can make your symptoms worse. If you feel you're unable to wait, you can pay to have an assessment and treatment privately. This isn't a viable option for all, but it's a possibility if you're able to afford it. It's important to be aware that the NHS has changed. In certain parts of England, new Integrated Care Systems were introduced that connect different health and health-related organizations. You may be referred by a different Mental Health Team than before. It is crucial to be vocal if you don't like the treatment or assessment. It can be difficult to voice your concerns however it's crucial. Your mental health professional is likely to be able arrange a second opinion or refer you to a different service. If they aren't consider it, you could consider asking for a complaint to be made on your behalf by an independent advocacy group such as Rethink or Mind. If you are moving, 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 is also important to let your MHT know that are moving, as it could impact the assistance you receive from them.