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Mental Health Assessment – What to Expect Mental health problems can have an impact on the lives of people and their physical health. If you are worried about your mental health, it is imperative to act and seek assistance as soon as you can. A new law has entered force giving customers of services the right to seek independent advocacy. It also imposes obligations on local authorities and Health Boards to offer advocacy services. What is a mental health assessment? Mental health assessments are designed to assist healthcare professionals understand the problems you're facing. They can assist in finding the best treatment option for you, regardless of whether it is medication or therapy. They can be used to monitor your treatment over time and determine its effectiveness. A mental health assessment starts with a discussion of your symptoms and the impact they have on your life. It's important to be open with your health professional during this phase of the process, since it can have a big impact on the type of treatment you get. The assessment process can consist of psychometric tests or interviews. These questionnaires can be written or verbal and could focus on questions about how you feel as well as your thoughts and your memory. These questionnaires may also ask about your family history and previous mental health problems. As part of the assessment the healthcare professional will conduct a physical exam. This will help them determine any medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms, such as thyroid or diabetes. During the mental health assessment, a healthcare professional will be observing your behavior and ask you about any problems at home or at work. They may also ask about your past experiences with alcohol or drugs and any risk factors for mental illness, such as a family history of depression or genetic characteristics. They could also inquire about any medication you're taking and assess if your symptoms are related to certain medications. In certain situations, a medical professional might decide to conduct a more thorough psychological exam. This is typically conducted to find out more about the root of the symptoms and also to look at your personality, your past experiences, and hobbies. They may also perform tests to assess how your brain is working by measuring your reaction times and observing your eye movements. These tests are referred to as neuropsychological tests. A psychiatric evaluation is performed by a psychologist or psychiatrist. They are doctors who have specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They will examine you with a mix of psychological and physical methods and will discuss the diagnosis with you in depth. What happens during a psychological assessment? The doctor will ask you about your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. They will also take into consideration any previous diagnoses and treatment you've had. They will also consider your family and social history, as well as any other information that might help them determine the cause of your symptoms. Answer every question honestly. This will give your doctor the best chance to provide an accurate diagnosis. The questions you are asked might be triggering or sensitive, but it is essential that you talk about your feelings and experiences with confidence. The test will allow your doctor to determine what is the reason for your symptoms and what treatment is most suitable for you. During the examination the doctor will observe your appearance, behavior and how you interact with other people. They will look for signs of anxiety, depression or psychosis and will attempt to determine why you are feeling the way that you are. They should also know if you are taking any medication and what kind of work you do. They will need to know about any previous traumas you have experienced and will be interested in knowing if you have any friends or family who have experienced similar issues. They should determine if you suffer from diabetes or heart disease, which could be responsible for the symptoms. The assessment can last anywhere between 30 and 90 minutes, depending the reason you are seen. The doctor might have to take written or oral assessments as well as perform a physical exam during the exam. You are entitled to ask for an additional opinion if you are unhappy with the results of your mental health assessment. You can request this through your local NHS trust. You can also ask your doctor or care coordinator for advice and support. What should I expect during an assessment of my mental health? The assessing professional will inquire about your medical history, family history and any issues you've experienced. They might also review your past psychiatric treatment and current medication. This is important as it will allow professionals to determine if there are any physical causes for your symptoms. The test will also include physical examination. This can include blood and urine tests, as along with an assessment of your balance and reflexes. If they suspect you have a neurological issue, they might also order an EEG scan or CT scan. It is essential to be honest during the interview, and to answer all of the questions asked by the professional assessing you. This will allow them to determine the most accurate diagnosis and determine which treatment is the best for you. However, remember that it could take time to receive an accurate diagnosis. It's normal for patients to experience some anxiety and frustration as they wait for an answer. In certain situations, an assessment of mental health will include an exhaustive examination of the person to identify indications of suicidal thinking or violence towards others or themselves. This is usually a serious part of the assessment and requires the assistance of a qualified psychotherapist. If mental health assessors decide that someone poses a risk to themselves or others, they could decide that this person needs to be admitted to hospital. Depending on their circumstances, they may be admitted right away following 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'll ask questions about the most significant sources of stress, as well as any traumatic events that may have occurred in the life of the person. The medical professionals who conduct the evaluation will need to have completed authorization and consent forms from the person prior to the evaluation being conducted. You can always get an additional opinion if family members of the individual are concerned that the experts assessing them might not be giving the best diagnosis. This can be done through your doctor, private therapists or community mental health services. What can I do if I'm not happy with my mental health assessment? It's important to speak up when you aren't satisfied with the outcome of an assessment. Health and social care professionals should always be able to explain the appointment, including what will take place and how long expected to last. They should also tell you the reasons and the reason they will share your information, and ask permission before sharing. You can bring an advocate or a friend to your assessment. They could represent your interests and your views. They can be professionals, such as lawyers or even volunteers such as mental health charity workers. Some people might be able to find the experience of undergoing an assessment of their mental health challenging or distressing however, it's important to remember that the aim is to help you get better. If you're unable to be open with the professional who's carrying out the assessment, it's unlikely that they'll be able to assess and treat you appropriately. NHS provides free mental health services However, you should be aware that there could be waiting lists and that waiting can cause your symptoms to get worse. If you're unable to wait, you could pay to have an evaluation and treatment in private. This isn't a viable option for all, but it's a possibility if you can afford it. It is also important to keep in mind that the way the NHS operates has changed. no title Integrated Care Systems have been implemented in a few areas of England and combine different health and care institutions. This means you might be being referred to a different Mental Health Team (MHT) than you were before. If you believe that the treatment or assessment you're receiving doesn't work for you, it's important to say so. It can be difficult to express your opinion however it's crucial. Your mental health professional should be able to arrange a second opinion or refer you to a different service. If they don't, it might be worth asking for a complaint to be filed on your behalf by an independent advocacy organisation such as Rethink or Mind. If you are moving your home, the MHT should transfer your entire services to a new one as quickly as possible. However it's not guaranteed. You should also let your MHT know you are moving, as it can affect the level of support they provide you with.