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Mental Health Assessment – What to Expect Mental health issues can have a major impact on people's physical and mental health. If you are concerned about your mental health, it is important to take action and seek help as quickly as possible. A new law is now in force, which grants the users of services the right to an independent advocacy. The law 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 made for healthcare professionals to understand the issues you face. They can be used to find the best treatment options for you, regardless of whether that is therapy or medication. They can be used to monitor your treatment over time and assess its effectiveness. A mental health assessment starts with a discussion about your symptoms and how they affect your life. It is crucial to be honest with the healthcare professional during this part of the process, since it could have a significant impact on the type of treatment you'll get. The assessment process could include interviews and psychometric testing. These questionnaires may be verbal or written, and they may ask questions about your feelings, thoughts and memories. These questionnaires can also inquire about your family history or previous mental health issues. In addition to these questionnaires, the healthcare professional may require physical examination as part of the assessment. This can aid in determining any medical issues that could be causing your symptoms, like thyroid or diabetes. During a mental health assessment an expert in healthcare will examine you and ask about any issues you may have at home or work. They may also inquire about your past experience with alcohol or drugs and any risk factors for mental illness, such as the 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 specific medications. In some cases, a medical professional may decide to perform an additional psychological exam. This is usually done to find out more about the cause of the symptoms and also to look at your personality, past experiences and interests. They can also conduct tests to determine how your brain functions, such as measuring reaction times and examining your eye movements. These tests are also known as neuropsychological tests. A psychologist or psychiatrist may perform a psychiatric evaluation. These professionals are skilled in diagnosing and treating mental disorders. They will assess you using a combination of physical and psychological techniques and discuss your diagnosis in detail. What happens during a psychological evaluation? The doctor will inquire about your thoughts and feelings as well as your behaviour. They will also consider any previous diagnoses and treatment that you have had. They will also consider your family history, social history and any other information they believe could be useful in determining the source 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 transparent when answering the questions. The test will assist your doctor to determine what is the cause of your symptoms, and the best treatment for you. During the examination, your doctor will pay attention to your behavior, appearance and how you interact with other people. They will look for any signs of anxiety, depression or psychosis. They will also try to understand why you're feeling the way that you are. They'll also want to know what type of work you do and if you are taking any medications. They will need to know about any traumas you've experienced and will be interested in knowing if you have any family members or friends who have experienced similar issues. They will want to be aware of whether you suffer from diabetes or heart disease, which could be the cause of the symptoms. The test can last anywhere between 30 and 90 minutes, depending the reason you are examined. The doctor will have written or oral tests to complete during the assessment and might carry out a physical examination as well. You are entitled to ask for a second opinion if you're 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 it for you. Alternatively, you can ask your doctor or care coordinator for assistance and advice on this. What should mental health assesment expect from an assessment of my mental health? The person who is assessing you will ask you questions about your medical history, your family history and any symptoms you've been experiencing. They might also look over your current medications and previous treatment for psychiatric disorders. This is important as it will help professionals identify any physical cause for your symptoms. Your assessment will also involve physical examination. It could involve blood and urine tests as along with a review of your reflexes and balance. If they suspect you may be suffering from a neurological disorder, they might also order an EEG scan or CT scan. It is essential to be honest and answer all questions posed by the professional who is evaluating you. This will help them determine the most accurate diagnosis and determine the treatment that is the best for you. Be aware that it can take some time to get an accurate diagnosis. It's normal for people to experience some anxiety and frustration while waiting for an answer. In some instances, an assessment of mental health will include a thorough examination of the individual to find indicators such as suicidal thoughts or aggression towards others or themselves. This is an essential part of the assessment, and you will need the assistance of a trained professional. If the mental health assessors find that someone is a danger to themselves or to others, they may determine that the person has to be hospitalized. Depending on their circumstances the person could be admitted right away following their evaluation or after. The professionals will also be able observe how a person interacts with family members and with other people. They'll ask questions about the most significant sources of stress, as well as any traumatizing events that have been a part of the individual's life. The medical professionals who conduct the examination will need have completed authorization and consent forms from the individual prior to the evaluation being conducted. If the family members of the patient are worried that the professionals assessing them might not be giving them the most accurate diagnosis They can always get a second opinion. This can be done through their GP or private therapists, or community mental health services. What should I do if I'm not happy 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 must always explain the appointment, indicating what will take place and how long scheduled to last. They should also explain to you why and who will share your personal information, and ask permission before sharing. You may bring a friend, or advocate to your assessment. They can represent your interests and opinions. They can be volunteers, like mental health charity workers or they could be professionals, such as lawyers. It's important to remember the goal of a mental health evaluation is to help people get better. If you're not able communicate with the professional carrying out the assessment, it's unlikely they'll be able to assess and treat you appropriately. NHS offers free mental health treatment, but you should be aware that there could be waiting lists and waiting can cause your symptoms to get worse. If you feel you're unable to wait, you can pay for an assessment and treatment done privately. This isn't an option for everyone, but it's a possibility if you can afford it. It's important to be aware that the NHS has changed. New Integrated Care Systems have been implemented in a few areas of England and connect different health and care institutions. This means that you may be referred to a different Mental Health Team (MHT) than before. If you think the treatment or evaluation you're receiving isn't working for you, it's crucial to let them know. It can be difficult, but it's important that you make a statement. Your mental health professional will be able to provide an appointment for a second opinion or refer you to a different service. If they aren't then you may want to seek out an independent advocacy group like Rethink or Mind to submit an appeal on your behalf. If you are moving your home, the MHT should transfer all your services to a new one as quickly as they can. However it's not guaranteed. It's also worth letting your MHT know that you are moving home, as this can affect how much support you get from them.