Mental Health Assessment - What to Expect
Mental health problems can have a significant impact on people's lives as well as their physical wellbeing. If you're concerned about your mental health it's crucial to act and seek help as quickly as possible.
A new law has come into force, granting service users the right to access independent advocacy. It also places duties on local authorities and Health Boards to provide advocacy services.
What is a Mental Health Assessment?
Mental health assessments are designed to help healthcare professionals to understand the issues you're experiencing. They can be used to find the best treatment options for you, regardless of 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 assessment starts by discussing your symptoms and their impact on your life. It's important to be open and honest during this phase. This could affect the treatment you receive.
The assessment process may involve various methods, including interviews as well as psychometric tests. These questionnaires can be either verbal or written and may concentrate on questions regarding how you feel about your thoughts, how you feel, and your memory. These questionnaires could also inquire about your family history and previous mental health problems. As part of the evaluation the healthcare professional will conduct a physical examination. This will help them determine any medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms, such as thyroid or diabetes.
In a mental health assessment an expert in healthcare will examine you and ask about any issues that you might be experiencing 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 such as an ancestral history of depression or genetic characteristics. They might also inquire about any medications you're taking and assess whether your symptoms are connected to a specific medication.
In some cases, the healthcare professional may opt to conduct an deep psychological examination. They will usually conduct this to collect more details about the source of your symptoms. They will examine your previous experiences, relationships, personality, and interests. They may also perform tests to determine the way your brain works, such as taking note of your reaction times and looking at your eye movements. These tests are known as neuropsychological testing.
A psychiatric assessment is performed by a psychiatrist or psychologist. These are doctors with specialization in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They will evaluate you using the use of both physical and psychological methods and will explain your diagnosis in detail.
What happens during a mental health assessment?
The doctor will inquire about your thoughts and feelings as well as your behaviour. They will also take into account any previous diagnoses and treatment that you've received. 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 important that you answer all the questions in a straight and honest manner. This will give the doctor the best chance to get an accurate diagnosis.
Some of the questions that you are asked might be difficult or upsetting However, it is vital that you discuss your feelings and experiences with confidence. The test will assist your doctor to determine what could be causing your symptoms, and what treatment is best for you.
During the interview your doctor will observe your manner of conduct, appearance and your interactions with other people. They will be looking for signs of anxiety, psychosis or depression. They will also try to figure out what you are feeling.
They'll also want know what kind of work you do and if you are taking any medications. They should be aware about any traumas you have experienced and will want to know if have any relatives or friends who have experienced similar problems. They should determine if you suffer from heart disease or diabetes which could be responsible for the symptoms.
The assessment should last between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the reason you are being seen. The doctor might have to conduct written or verbal assessments as well as perform a physical exam during the assessment.
You have the right to seek an additional opinion if you are not satisfied with the results of your mental health assessment. Your local NHS trust has a procedure to handle this and will be able to arrange for it. You can also ask your psychiatrist or care coordinator for advice and help.
What should I expect from an assessment for mental health?
The person who is assessing you will ask you questions about your medical history, your family history, as well as any symptoms that you have experienced. They might also review your past treatments for psychiatric disorders and the current medications. This review is important because it will help professionals determine if there are any physical causes for your symptoms.
The test will also include physical examination. This can include urine and blood tests as well as an examination of your reflexes and balance. If you suspect that you have a neurological issue, they may also order an EEG or CT scan.
It is crucial to be truthful and answer all the questions posed by the professional who is evaluating you. This will allow them to determine the most accurate diagnosis and determine which treatment is the best for you. Be aware that it can take some time to receive an accurate diagnosis. It's normal for people to experience some anxiety and frustration as they wait for an answer.
In some cases, an assessment of mental health will include an exhaustive exam of the patient to look for indications of suicidal thinking or violence towards themselves or others. This is a very important part of the assessment, and you will need the assistance of a trained professional.
If mental health assessors find that someone is a risk to themselves or others, they may determine that the person needs to be admitted to hospital. Depending on their circumstances they could be admitted immediately after their evaluation or after.
The professionals who assess the patient will be able observe how the person interacts with family and other people in their lives. They will inquire about the main sources of stress and any traumatic events that the person has been through. Before the evaluation can begin, the doctor who will be conducting it must have the authorization and consent forms signed by the patient.
You can always get an alternative opinion if family members of the individual are concerned that the professionals who are evaluating them may not give the best diagnosis. You can do this by contacting your GP or private therapists, or through community mental health services.
What should I do if I'm not satisfied with my mental health assessment report?
It's important to speak up when you aren't satisfied with the outcome of an assessment. Health and social care professionals must always provide a clear explanation of what will happen during an appointment and the length of time it will take. They should also explain to you who they'll be sharing information with and for what reason, and ask for your consent prior to sharing information. You can invite an advocate, or a friend to your assessment. They can represent your interests and your opinions. They could be volunteers like mental health charity workers or they can be professionals, such as lawyers.
Some people may be able to find the experience of undergoing an assessment for mental health difficult or even painful It's crucial to remember that the aim is to help you improve. If you aren't honest with the professional who is conducting the assessment, they won't be able evaluate you and treat you properly.
NHS offers free mental health treatment However, you should be aware that there might be waiting lists and waiting can cause your symptoms to worsen. If you're unable to wait, you can pay to have an assessment and treatment privately. This isn't a viable option for everyone but when you can afford it, it's definitely worth considering.
It's also worth bearing in your mind that the way in which 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 by a different Mental Health Team than before.
It's crucial to voice your concerns in the event that you don't agree with the treatment or the assessment. 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 don't then it could be worth asking for a complaint to be made on your behalf by an independent advocacy organization such as Rethink or Mind.
If you move, the MHT will transfer all your services to a new one as soon as is possible. However it's not guaranteed. It is also important to let your MHT know that you are moving, as this could affect the level of support they provide you with.