10 Great Books On Mental Health Assessment

Mental Health Assessment
A mental health evaluation consists of a combination of tests and questions. Your doctor will inquire about your medical history, family history, and your symptoms. They will also conduct a basic physical exam and may also order lab tests like blood tests, thyroid function testing or toxicology tests.
You could have written or verbal tests as well. These could include tests of intelligence and tests of cognitive functioning intelligence, insight, judgment, and looseness of association.
Symptoms
When a healthcare professional conducts an evaluation of your mental health, he'll ask you various questions about your feelings and what's been happening. He might be interested in finding out if you have a family history of mental illness, or your general health. The assessment is designed to give the doctor a clear picture of how you feel, think and behave, in addition to identifying any safety issues. The questions can be written or spoken and are often organized as a questionnaire.
Your health professional needs to know about your general life conditions. This includes your work as well as your relationships and the presence of family members living with you. They will also want to know if there have been any painful experiences in your life and if you have a problem with alcohol or other drugs. They will need to know if you are in danger of harming yourself or others, and could request a blood sample to determine if there are any substances in your system.
Some tests are used routinely during a mental assessment for example, the Hamilton Rating Scale and Beck Anxiety Inventory. These tests assess a wide range of symptoms, and allow health care providers to quickly and efficiently assess a patient’s mood, thinking capabilities, behavior and memory. Other tests can be used to identify specific issues. For example the Mini Mental State Examination can be used to determine a person's consciousness level.
Other tests are sometimes used during an assessment of mental health that include a physical exam (to look for any underlying medical causes) as well as toxicology screenings and laboratory testing (blood or urine tests to see if there are any substances within the body). Some people also choose to keep a record of their emotions, which can be helpful in providing information to their therapy. Some individuals bring a friend or a therapist to their appointment. This is a great option when they are uncomfortable talking about their feelings or if the information is sensitive.
You should speak up if you have any concerns about the treatment that you are receiving or if you feel that the doctor is not taking your concerns seriously. The majority of NHS services have a complaints procedure and your care coordinator or GP should be able to assist, or you can contact the charity Rethink for advice.
Diagnosis
A mental health assessment is the first step to diagnose a mental illness. After you've been diagnosed, your doctor will determine the most effective treatment strategy for you. There may be a need for a combination of treatments, like therapy and medications. Certain disorders are temporary and disappear by themselves while others are of a long-term nature. A diagnosis is essential in many ways. It can help you get disability benefits or protection against discrimination at work and also inform health insurance companies that you have an illness that requires medical treatment.
The diagnosis is a lengthy procedure that requires a thorough examination of the patient's symptoms, and how they affect their life. Your doctor will ask questions about your feelings and how you feel throughout the day. They will also take into account any problems in your family or at work. A physical exam will be conducted to determine if your symptoms are the result of an illness in your body. Some symptoms require additional examination and tests such as urine or blood samples, MRI or EEG scans.
There are a variety of different tools available to help doctors assess a patient's symptoms, including rating scales and questionnaires. They are usually targeted at specific ailments and can help in identifying potential disorders, however, they do not take into account all the psychological, biological and sociological factors that may influence a person's psychiatric state.
In addition to these questionnaires and a general conversation with the patient is conducted, which may involve an in-depth account of the patient's thoughts and feelings. The doctor will also ask about the medical history of their family as well as any medication the patient is currently taking, and whether they have any herbal or dietary supplements that could be impacting their mental health.
If the symptoms are extreme, the patient may require admission as an inpatient to receive further treatment. The doctor could also suggest outpatient therapy or medication. If your doctor believes they aren't competent to diagnose your condition, they should discuss this with you and decide whether a medical opinion is needed. If they agree, you can seek a referral to a psychiatrist at another mental health trust.
Treatment
Often family members and friends may notice signs that indicate mental illness. They could also be the ones who help patients take the first steps towards seeking treatment. While books and the Internet can provide valuable information, nothing replaces the expertise of a qualified professional to assess mental health.
During the exam the doctor will ask you to describe your thoughts and feelings and also about your behavior. He or she will be looking for indicators of depression and neurological disorders. Your doctor will also ask about any previous psychiatric treatments you have received and whether or not you have an ancestral history of mental illness.
Your doctor will also ask you about your medication and perform a physical exam. Your doctor will want to rule out physical conditions that may be causing your symptoms. You must answer every question asked by your doctor honestly and completely. You might be asked if you want to keep a diary of your feelings and thoughts or if you wish to bring a family member or friend to the assessment interview. Your doctor will also likely conduct tests in the laboratory like bloodwork or an urine sample.
In a mental health assessment questionnaires or psychological tests are commonly used. They are a great tool for evaluating your mood, thinking abilities and memory, as well as the way you interact with other people. The tests are typically in the form a written or oral questionnaire. It is recommended to complete these tests prior to your appointment so you can discuss the results with your doctor.
Other assessments use ratings scales that give doctors an extensive overview of your emotional state. These instruments can be used to determine signs of depression, anxiety and Bipolar disorder. These tools can be helpful in assessing the root of the problem such as dementia or other neurodegenerative disorders.
A psychiatric evaluation includes an interview with your doctor and may include psychotherapy, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) which is helpful in treating trauma. In certain instances the psychiatric illness could be so severe that it requires hospitalization in a mental health center.
Prevention
A mental health assessment could be an important first step in preventing the development of a mental illness worse. It can be used to aid in treatment as well, since it provides a clear view of the individual's mental and physical state. A mental health assessment can assist people in getting aid earlier in addressing their issues.
Depending on the purpose of the assessment the assessment may require different methods to conduct the assessment. For example children may be asked to keep a journal of how they are feeling for a couple of days or to ask friends and family about how they behave. For adults, the doctor may use a written questionnaire or even interview the person to learn what they feel. They might also do more thorough tests, such as the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.
The results of the mental health assessment are used to determine if someone needs to be seen by a specialist, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist. If the test reveals indications of mental illness, the specialist will give suggestions on how to treat it. They will usually recommend therapy. If the condition isn't treated, it can lead to poor mental health and even suicide.
People who are experiencing a mental illness should see their GP for any signs of anxiety or depression. If the symptoms persist for a long period of time, it can lead to other health problems, such as physical problems or dementia. People who have chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, must be screened for mood disorders.
It is not uncommon for people to be embarrassed or ashamed of seeking help for a mental health problem, and some members of their families might have a negative view of them going to therapy. This makes it difficult for patients to get the support they need. To reduce this stigma, healthcare professionals can utilize Quenza's Understanding Mental Health Stigma worksheet to aid their clients in discussing the issue with others.