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Mental Health Assessment – What to Expect Mental health issues can have a major impact on a person's mental and physical well-being. If you're concerned about your mental health, it is important to take action and seek help as soon as possible. A new law is now in force that gives clients the right to independent advocacy. It also imposes obligations on local authorities, Health Boards and other organizations to provide advocacy services. What is a Mental Health Assessment? Mental health assessments are designed to assist healthcare professionals to understand the issues you're experiencing. They can help find the most effective treatment options for you, regardless of whether that is therapy or medication. They can also be used to track your treatment over time and evaluate its effectiveness. A mental health assessment begins with a discussion about your symptoms and their impact on your life. It's crucial to be honest during this phase of the process. This could be a major influence on the treatment you receive. The assessment process can include interviews and psychometric testing. These questionnaires can be either verbal or written and may be focused on how you feel as well as your thoughts and your memory. They could also ask questions about things like your family history and previous mental health issues. In the course of the examination the healthcare professional will conduct a physical exam. This will help them determine any medical conditions that could be contributing to your symptoms, like thyroid issues or diabetes. During the mental health assessment, a healthcare professional will be observing your behavior and ask about any issues you may have at home or at work. They might also inquire about your past 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 inquire about any medication you're taking and determine whether your symptoms are linked to specific medications. In some cases medical professionals may opt to conduct more thorough psychological tests. This is usually done to find out more about the underlying cause of the symptoms and also to examine your personality, past experiences, and hobbies. They might also do some tests to see how your brain is functioning, such as measuring your reaction times and observing your eye movements. These tests are referred to as neuropsychological tests. A psychiatric examination is performed by a psychiatrist or psychologist. These are doctors with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They will examine you with an amalgamation of physical and psychological methods and will discuss your condition in depth. What happens during a mental health assessment? The doctor will inquire about your thoughts, feelings and behavior. They will also take into consideration any previous diagnoses or treatments that you might have received. They will also take into consideration your family history, your social history and any other information they think may be helpful in determining the source of your symptoms. Answer all questions truthfully. This will give your doctor the best chance to make an accurate diagnosis. It is crucial to be honest and open when answering the questions. This is because the assessment will assist your doctor in figuring out what might be causing your symptoms and determine what type of treatment would be the most suitable for you. During the examination the doctor will observe your manner of conduct, appearance and how you interact with other people. They will look for indications of anxiety, psychosis or depression. They will also attempt to determine the emotions you are experiencing. They should also know if you are taking any medication and what kind of work you are doing. They will also need to be aware of if you've experienced any kind of trauma in the past and whether you know anyone who has experienced similar problems. They will also need to know if you have a medical condition that might be causing your symptoms, like heart disease or diabetes. The assessment could last between 30 minutes and 90 minutes, depending on why you are being examined. The doctor may need to take written or oral assessments and perform an examination of the body during the examination. You are entitled to seek an additional opinion if you're not satisfied with the results of your mental health assessment. The local NHS trust has a procedure for this and can arrange it for you. You can also consult your doctor or care coordinator for advice and support. What can I expect during an assessment for mental health? The person who is assessing you will ask questions about your medical history, family history, as well as any symptoms you've experienced. They may also review past treatment for psychiatric issues and current medications. This is important since it can help doctors rule out any physical reasons for your symptoms. The test will also include an examination of your body. This could include urine and blood tests and also a review of your reflexes. If you think you're suffering from a neurological issue you may also be referred to an EEG or CT scan. It is essential to be honest during the interview and to answer all of the questions of the professional who is assessing. This will allow them to form an accurate diagnosis and determine the most effective treatment option for you. But, keep in mind that it can take some time to obtain an accurate diagnosis. It's normal for patients to feel anxious and frustrated as they wait for a diagnosis. In some cases, an assessment of mental health will include an exhaustive examination of the individual to find indicators such as suicidal thoughts or violence towards others or themselves. This is often a serious aspect of the evaluation and requires the assistance of a trained psychotherapist. If the mental health assessors find that someone poses a risk to themselves or to others, they might decide that the person needs to be hospitalized. Based on their situation, they may be admitted right away following their assessment or later. The assessing professionals will also be able observe how the person interacts with family members and other people in their lives. They'll ask questions about the main sources of stress as well as any traumatic events that may have been a part of the individual's life. Before the evaluation can begin the medical professional who will be conducting the assessment must have the authorization and consent forms signed by the patient. You can always get a second opinion if the family members of the individual are concerned that the professional who are evaluating them may not give the best diagnosis. You can do this through your doctor, private therapists or community mental health services. What should I do if I'm not satisfied with my mental health assessment? If you're not happy with the results of your assessment It's essential to make a statement. Health and social care professionals should always explain what will happen during an appointment and the length of time it will take. They should also tell you who they will be sharing information with and for what reason, and ask for your consent prior to sharing information. You may also bring a friend or advocate with you to your assessment and they could represent your interests and views. They could be volunteers like mental health charity workers or they can be professionals, such as lawyers. It is important to keep in mind that the goal of a mental health assessment is to assist patients in getting better. If you're not able be open with the person carrying out the assessment, it's unlikely they'll be able to evaluate and treat you properly. The NHS offers free mental health services. However, it's important to consider that t here may be waiting lists for treatment and waiting 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 everyone, but when you can afford it, it's definitely worth looking into. It is important to keep in mind that the NHS has changed. New Integrated Care Systems have been rolled out in parts of England and combine different health and care organisations. This means that you could be referred to an entirely different Mental Health Team (MHT) than before. It is crucial to speak up if you don't like the treatment or the assessment. It's not easy, but it's essential to make a statement. Your mental health professional should be able to arrange an appointment for a second opinion or refer you to another service. If they do not suggest it, you could ask an independent advocacy group like Rethink or Mind to file a complaint on your behalf. If you are moving your home, the MHT will transfer your entire care to a new service as quickly as they can. However, this is not guaranteed. You should also let your MHT know that you are moving, as this could impact the support they provide you with.