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Mental Health Assessment – What to Expect Mental health issues can have a huge impact on people's physical and mental well-being. If you're worried about your mental wellbeing it's essential to take action and seek help as quickly as possible. A new law is now in force that gives the users of services the right to have independent advocacy. It also imposes obligations on local authorities, Health Boards, and other organizations to provide advocacy services. What is an assessment of mental health? Mental health assessments are designed for healthcare professionals to understand your problems. They can be used to determine the most effective treatment options for you, whether it is medication or therapy. They can also be used to monitor your treatment over time and assess its effectiveness. A mental health assessment begins with a discussion of your symptoms and how they're affecting your life. It's crucial to be open with your medical professional during this stage of the process because it can have a big influence on the kind of treatment you get. The assessment process could consist of psychometric tests or interviews. These questionnaires could be either verbal or written, and may ask questions about your feelings, thoughts and memories. They may also include questions about things like your family history, and any previous mental health issues. In addition to these questionnaires medical professional may want to do an examination of your body as part of the evaluation. This can help them rule any medical conditions which may be contributing to the symptoms you're experiencing, such as diabetes or thyroid. During the mental health evaluation, the healthcare professional will be observing your behaviour and ask you about any issues you may have at home or at work. They may also ask about your past experience with drugs or alcohol and any risk factors for mental illness, like the family history of depression or genetic traits. They might also inquire about any medications you're taking and will check whether any of your symptoms are connected to specific medications. In some cases, the medical professional might decide to do a more deep psychological examination. They usually use this to gather more details about the source of your symptoms, and will look at your past experiences as well as your relationships, personality and interests. They might also do some tests to assess how your brain is working, such as testing your reaction times and observing your eye movements. These tests are referred to as neuropsychological tests. A psychologist or psychiatrist may conduct a psychiatric examination. These are doctors with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They will assess you using a combination of psychological and physical methods and discuss your diagnosis in depth. What happens during a psychological assessment? The doctor will inquire about your thoughts and feelings as well as your behaviour. They will also consider any previous diagnoses and treatments that you've received. They will also consider your family history and social history as well as any other information that could help them determine the cause of your symptoms. Answer every question honestly. This will give your doctor the best chance to make an accurate diagnosis. It is crucial to be honest and transparent when answering the questions. The evaluation will help your physician determine what could be the reason for your symptoms and what treatment is most suitable for you. During the examination, your doctor will be paying attention to your manner of conduct, appearance and your interactions with other people. They will be looking for symptoms of depression, anxiety or psychosis. They will attempt to determine why you're 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've been through and will want to know if have any relatives or friends who have experienced similar problems. They will also need to be aware of any medical condition that might be the cause of the symptoms, such as heart disease or diabetes. The assessment will take between 30 and 90 minutes, depending on the reason why you are being seen. The doctor might have to complete written or verbal assessments as well as an examination of the body during the exam. You have the right to seek a second opinion if you are not satisfied with the results of your mental health assessment. The local NHS trust will have a procedure for this and can arrange it for you. You can also consult your psychiatrist or care coordinator for advice and help. What should I expect from a mental health assessment? The professional assessing you will inquire about your medical history, family history and any issues you've been experiencing. They may also review past treatments for psychiatric disorders and the current medications. This review is important because it will allow professionals to identify any physical cause for your symptoms. Your assessment will include an examination of your body. It could involve urine and blood tests and also a review of your reflexes. If they suspect that 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 be able to answer all the assessing professional's questions. This will allow them to form an accurate diagnosis and identify the most effective treatment option for you. Remember that getting an accurate diagnosis can take a long time. It's normal for people to experience some anxiety and frustration as they wait for an answer. In some cases the assessment of mental health may include a thorough exam of the patient to identify indications of suicidal thinking or aggression toward themselves or others. This is an essential part of the assessment, and you will need the help of a trained professional. If the mental health assessors determine that someone poses a risk to themselves or to others, they could decide that the person needs to be hospitalized. Based on their situation the person could be admitted immediately following their assessment or later. The professionals assessing the person will be able to see how the individual interacts with their family and other people in their life. They will inquire about the main sources of stress, as well as any traumatizing experiences the individual has had. Before the assessment can begin the physician who will conduct it must have consent and authorization forms signed by the individual. You can always seek a second opinion if the family members of the person are concerned that the professionals assessing them might not give the best diagnosis. This can be done via their physician or private therapists, or community mental health services. What should I do if I am not happy with my mental health assessment report? It is crucial to tell someone when you aren't satisfied with the outcome of an assessment. Health and social care professionals must always explain the appointment, including the time it will be held and how long it's anticipated to last. They should also explain to you who they'll be sharing information with, and why and seek your permission prior to sharing any information. You can bring an advocate, or a friend to your appointment. They can represent your interests and your opinions. They can be volunteers, like mental health workers from charities or they can be professionals, such as lawyers. It is important to keep in mind that the goal of a mental health evaluation is to help people get better. If you can't be honest with the professional conducting the assessment they won't be able to assess you and treat you properly. The NHS offers free mental health services but it's worth examining whether there might be waiting lists for treatment, and this could make your symptoms worse. If you're unable to wait, you could pay for an assessment and treatment done privately. This isn't a viable option for all, but it's a possibility if you're able to afford it. It's important to remember that the NHS has changed. New Integrated Care Systems have been implemented in a few areas of England and they connect different health and care institutions. You may be referred by an entirely different Mental Health Team than before. mental health assessments for adults uk IamPsychiatry is crucial to voice your concerns when you are not happy with the treatment or assessment. It can be difficult to voice your concerns but it's important. Your mental health professional will be able to get an additional opinion or recommend you to another service. If they aren't suggest it, you could contact an advocacy group that is independent like Rethink or Mind, to make an appeal on your behalf. The MHT will transfer your services to the new one as soon as is possible when you move, however it's not guaranteed. It is also important to let your MHT know that are moving, as it could affect the amount of support they provide you with.