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Mental Health Assessment – What to Expect Mental health issues can have a a significant impact on people's lives as well as their physical well-being. If you're concerned about your mental health, it's imperative to act and seek help as quickly as you can. A new law has entered force, giving customers of services the right to have independent advocacy. It also places duties on local authorities and Health Boards to provide advocacy. What is an assessment of mental health? Mental health assessments are designed for healthcare professionals to understand your issues. They can be used to find the most effective treatment options for you, regardless of whether that is therapy or medication. They can be used to keep track of your treatment over time and evaluate its effectiveness. A mental health evaluation begins by discussing your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. mental health assesment www.iampsychiatry.uk to be honest in this phase of the process. This could be a major influence on the treatment you receive. The assessment process can consist of psychometric tests or interviews. These questionnaires could be written or verbal and could concentrate on questions regarding how you feel as well as your thoughts and your memory. They may also include questions about your family history and previous mental health issues. In addition to these questionnaires, the healthcare professional may decide to conduct an examination of your body as part of the evaluation. This can aid in determining any medical conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms, for instance diabetes or thyroid problems. During a mental health assessment, a healthcare professional will be watching you and asking about any issues you might face at work or at home. They may also inquire about your previous experiences with alcohol or drugs, and any risk factors for mental illness, for instance, an ancestor's history of depression or genetic traits. They might also ask about any medications you're taking and will determine if any of your symptoms are related to a specific medication. In certain situations, a medical professional might decide to conduct a more thorough psychological exam. This is typically performed to learn more about the underlying cause of the symptoms and also to examine your personality, your past experiences, and interests. They may also conduct tests to see how your brain functions by taking your reaction time and observing your eye movements. These tests are known as neuropsychological tests. A psychiatrist or psychologist can conduct a psychiatric examination. They are skilled in diagnosing and treating mental disorders. They will evaluate you using a combination of psychological and physical techniques and will discuss your condition with you in depth. What happens during an assessment of mental health? The doctor will ask you about your thoughts, feelings and behaviour. They will also consider any previous diagnoses or treatments that you have had. They will also review your family and social history as well as any other information that could help them determine what is causing your symptoms. It is essential to answer all of the questions with honesty. This will give the doctor the best chance of receiving an accurate diagnosis. Some of the questions you are asked could be triggering or sensitive However, it is vital that you try to discuss your feelings and experiences with confidence. The assessment will allow your doctor to determine what may be causing your symptoms, and what treatment is best for you. During the appointment your doctor will observe your behavior, appearance and how you interact with other people. They will look for signs of psychosis, anxiety or depression, and will try to figure out what you feel. They'll also want to know what kind of work you perform and if you use any medications. They will also need to find out if you've had any trauma in the past and whether you know people who have experienced similar issues. They should determine if you suffer from heart disease or diabetes which could be causing the symptoms. The test can last between 30 minutes and 90 minutes depending the reason you are assessed. The doctor will ask you to complete written or oral tests to take during the examination and may perform a physical exam as well. If you're not satisfied with the results of your mental health assessment, you have the right to seek an opinion from a second source. This can be done through your local NHS trust. You can also contact your psychiatrist or care coordinator for advice and support. What should I expect from a mental health assessment? The assessing professional will ask about your medical background, family history, and any symptoms you've been experiencing. They might also review your past treatment for psychiatric issues and current medications. This is essential as it assists professionals in ruling out physical causes of your symptoms. The test will include an examination of your body. It could involve urine and blood tests, as well as a review your reflexes. If they suspect you may have a neurological issue, they might also order an EEG scan or CT scan. It is crucial to be truthful during the interview and to be able to answer all the assessing professional's questions. This will help them determine the most accurate diagnosis and determine which treatment is most appropriate for you. But, keep in mind that it can take some time to get an accurate diagnosis. It's common for people to feel anxious and frustrated while they wait for a diagnosis. In some instances an assessment of mental health could include a thorough examination of the person to identify indicators such as suicidal thoughts or violence towards themselves or others. This is a very important aspect of the assessment and you will need the help of a trained professional. If the mental health assessors discover that a person poses a threat to themselves or others, they may decide that the individual needs to be admitted to hospital. Depending on the circumstances, they might be admitted right after the assessment or at some later date. The professionals assessing the person will be able to see how the person interacts with family and with other people in their lives. They'll ask questions about the biggest sources of stress as well as any traumatic events that may have occurred in the person's life. The medical professionals who conduct the evaluation will need to have signed consent and authorization forms from the patient prior to the evaluation being conducted. You can always get an additional opinion if family members of the person are concerned that the experts assessing them might not give the best diagnosis. You can do this through your GP or private therapists, or through community mental health services. What can I do if I'm not happy with my mental health assessment? If you're unhappy with the results of your assessment It's crucial to tell someone. Health and social care professionals should always be able to explain what happens during an appointment and the length of time it will take. They should also inform you who they will be sharing information with and why, and ask for your permission prior to sharing any information. You may also bring a friend or an advocate to your appointment, and they can represent your interests and views. They could be volunteers like mental health charity workers or they could be professionals, like lawyers. It's important to remember the aim of a mental health assessment is to assist people in getting better. If you can't be honest with the person conducting the assessment, they won't be able assess your needs and properly treat you. NHS offers free mental health services, but you should be aware that there could be waiting lists, and the wait could cause your symptoms to worsen. If you feel you're unable to wait, you could pay for an assessment and treatment done privately. This isn't an option for all, but it's a possibility if you can afford it. It's also worth bearing in mind that the way the NHS operates has changed. New Integrated Care Systems have been implemented in various parts of England and these connect different health and care institutions. You could be referred to an entirely different Mental Health Team than before. It's crucial to voice your concerns when you are not happy with the way of treatment or assessment. It's not easy, but it's crucial to make a statement. Your mental health professional will be able to provide an appointment for a second opinion or refer you to another 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 your home, the MHT will transfer your entire support to a new provider as soon as is possible. However it's not guaranteed. It's also a good idea to let your MHT know that you're moving house, as this can affect how much support you get from them.