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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 health. If you're concerned about your mental wellbeing it's essential to take action and seek assistance as soon as you can. A new law is in force, which grants the users of services the right to have independent advocacy. It also imposes obligations on local authorities and Health Boards to provide advocacy. What is a Mental Health Assessment? Mental health assessments are designed to aid healthcare professionals understand the problems you are experiencing. They can be used to find the best treatment options for you, 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 about your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. It's important to be honest during this phase. This could be a major influence on the treatment you receive. The assessment process can include a variety of different methods, including interviews and psychometric tests. These questionnaires could be either verbal or written, and they might ask you questions about your thoughts, feelings and memories. These questionnaires can also inquire about your family history and previous mental health problems. As part of the evaluation, the healthcare professional will conduct a physical exam. This will aid in determining any medical conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms, such as diabetes or thyroid problems. In a mental health assessment an expert in healthcare will be watching you and asking about any issues you might be experiencing at work or at home. They might inquire about your history of using drugs or alcohol, and about any risk factors that could contribute to mental illness, such as the family history of depression or genetic characteristics. They might also inquire about any medication you're taking and assess whether your symptoms are linked to specific medications. In certain instances, the healthcare professional may decide to conduct a more deep psychological examination. They usually use this to gather more information regarding the root of your symptoms. They will examine your previous experiences and relationships, your personality, and other interests. They may also perform tests to determine how your brain is working like taking your reaction time and looking at your eye movements. These tests are called neuropsychological tests. A psychiatric assessment is performed by a psychiatrist or psychologist. These are doctors with specialist training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. They will evaluate you using a combination of physical and psychological methods and will discuss the diagnosis with you in depth. What happens during a mental health assessment? The doctor will ask about your thoughts and feelings and also your behavior. They will also look at any previous diagnoses or treatments that you may have received. They will also consider your family history, your social history, and any other information they think could be useful in determining the root of your symptoms. Answer all questions honestly. This will give your doctor the best chance of making an accurate diagnosis. The questions you are asked might be sensitive or upsetting It is important that you discuss your feelings and experiences openly. This is because the assessment will assist your doctor in figuring out what could be the cause of your symptoms and determine what type of treatment is most suitable for you. During the interview, your doctor will be paying attention to your manner of conduct, appearance and how you interact with other people. They will look for any symptoms of depression, anxiety or psychosis and will look into the reasons you might be experiencing the way you do. They will also need to know if you are taking any medication and what kind of work you are doing. They should also be aware of if you've experienced any kind of trauma in the past and whether you know someone who has had similar problems. They will also need to be aware of any medical condition that could be the cause of your symptoms, like diabetes or heart disease. The examination can last anywhere between 30 and 90 minutes, depending the reason why you're being examined. The doctor will require written or oral tests to take during the exam and may carry out a physical examination as well. If you're not satisfied with the outcome of your mental health assessment, you have the right to request an opinion from a second source. This can be done through your local NHS trust. Alternatively, you can ask your psychiatrist or care co-ordinator for assistance and advice on this. What do I get from a mental health evaluation? The assessing professional will inquire about your medical background, family history, and any issues you've experienced. They may also review your current medications and past treatment for psychiatric disorders. This is essential because it allows professionals to rule out physical causes for your symptoms. Your evaluation will consist of a physical examination. This could include urine and blood tests, and also a review of your reflexes. If there's a chance you have a neurological issue it is possible to request an EEG or CT scan. It is essential to be honest and answer all questions asked by the professional who is evaluating you. This will assist them in making an accurate diagnosis and decide the most effective treatment option for you. Be aware that getting a precise diagnosis can take a long time. It's common for people to feel anxious and frustrated while waiting for a diagnose. In some instances an extensive mental health assessment will involve examining an individual for any indications of suicidal behavior or violence toward them or others. This is an important aspect of the assessment and you'll require assistance from a qualified professional. If the mental health assessors find that someone poses a risk to themselves or others, they may decide that the individual needs to be admitted to a hospital. Depending on the circumstances, they could be admitted immediately after the assessment or at a later date. The assessing professionals will also be able to see how the individual interacts with their family and other people in their life. They will inquire about the primary causes of stress, as well as any traumatizing experiences the individual has had. Before the assessment can begin the medical professional who will be conducting the assessment must have the consent and authorization forms signed by the patient. If family members of the person are worried that the professionals assessing them may not be providing the best diagnoses they are able to request a second opinion. This can be done via their doctor, private therapists, or community mental health services. What should I do if I am not happy with my mental health assessment report? It is important to let your voice be heard if you are not satisfied with the outcome of an assessment. Health and social care professionals must always provide a clear explanation of 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 appointment, and they can represent your views and interests. They could be professionals like lawyers or even volunteers such as mental health workers from charities. Some people may find the experience of having an assessment of their mental health challenging or distressing however, it's important to remember that the aim is to help you recover. If you're not able communicate with the person carrying out the assessment, it's unlikely that they'll be able to assess and treat you properly. NHS provides free mental health services However, you should be aware that there could be waiting lists, and the wait could cause your symptoms to get worse. If you're not able to wait for treatment, you can pay privately for an assessment and treatment. how to get a mental health assessment uk IamPsychiatry isn't an option for everyone but should you be able to afford it, it's definitely worth looking into. It's also worth bearing in mind that the way the NHS operates has changed. In certain parts of England the new Integrated Care Systems were introduced that connect different health care and health organizations. You could be referred to a different Mental Health Team than before. It's important that you speak up when you are not happy with the treatment or the assessment. It isn't easy to express your opinion, but it is important. Your mental health professional can request a second opinion, or recommend you to a different service. If they do not suggest it, you could ask an advocacy group that is independent like Rethink or Mind, to make a complaint on your behalf. If you are moving, the MHT should transfer all your support to a new provider as soon as is possible. However it's not guaranteed. It is important to inform your MHT know that you are moving, as it can affect the level of support you receive from them.