Mental Health Assessments at Mercy Health
A mental health assessment is a set of questions and tests conducted by a psychological or medical professional. It's a method to help them assess your symptoms and determine the degree of care you require, from outpatient services to inpatient treatment.
You can take a friend with you or even a representative through your local council or a service such as Rethink.
Screening
A screening mental assessment is an exam used to determine if a person is functioning at a healthy level socially and psychologically. This type of assessment can also be used to diagnose neurological disorders and certain illnesses. It can be used to test for depression or substance abuse, as well as various other ailments. These tests are usually shorter and cheaper than full professional assessments offered by mental health professionals.
A screening assessment typically involves a short interview with the person being evaluated. Questions are asked about the present and past symptoms, as well as when they first started and how long they have been present. The patient might also be asked about her family history of mental illness, or if she's been diagnosed with another condition. It is essential to discuss with the healthcare professional the patient's thoughts and feelings.
During the examination the healthcare professional will ask the patient if she has specific fears or concerns. The healthcare provider will also inquire about any medications the patient is taking and how well it's working. It is a good idea to bring an individual from the family or a close friend to the interview.
After a brief interview, it is expected that the healthcare professional will conduct certain tests. The tests that are administered will differ based on the type and length of the test. Rating scales are used to assist patients in understanding complex emotions and feelings. These tests can be useful in determining the severity of a condition and in the planning of treatment.
Other assessment tools include symptom checklists, which are lists of possible symptoms that can be used to identify a particular disorder. However, these tools should be used with caution because they do not take into account all the biological, psychological and sociological factors that affect a patient's life.
Another method by the way that the patient's thoughts and feelings are analyzed is through an analysis of her thoughts. This will assess the ability of her to formulate coherent thoughts and connect between things that are not related to one another. Thought content analysis can be useful in identifying disorders like hallucinations that are either visual, auditory, olfactory or tactile; delusions such as beliefs of special abilities, status or being feared by others; obsessive compulsive behaviors and fears.
Diagnosis
Mental health assessments can identify the root of a patient's symptoms, such as depression or anxiety. They also aid doctors determine the best treatment option for their patient. Mercy behavioral health experts can conduct a thorough, complete assessment. They will inquire about their current medication, and any herbal supplements or other over-the-counter remedies they are taking. They will also inquire about any family history of mental health issues.
During the diagnosis phase of the mental assessment, the doctor will conduct a physical examination of the patient to rule out any neurological conditions or diseases which may contribute to their symptoms. This includes assessing motor function, reflexes, posture, sensation, and gait. independent mental health assessment will also perform a neurological exam of the eye movements to determine whether they are normal.
The doctor will also look at the patient's cognitive functioning which includes her ability to think and reason as well as remember. The doctor will look at the appearance of the patient to determine if they are dressed appropriate for their age and if they are maintaining a good standard of hygiene. The doctor will listen to the patient to be able to understand what they are thinking and feeling.
Psychologists can use various tools and tests to evaluate a patient's mood, thinking and behavior. They can, for example, assess a patient's anxiety or depression by asking them questions or completing an informal questionnaire. They can also conduct more detailed testing to measure the levels in the brain of specific chemicals.
A psychiatric examination may include a discussion about the patient's relationships and social circumstances. It could also include a discussion about the patient's experiences in the past, for instance traumatizing events in childhood. To ensure the best treatment, it is important to know the patient's psychological, social and development background.
Treatment
Everybody experiences difficult times. However, if you or someone you care about, is experiencing symptoms that aren't normal, it might be time to seek assistance. A mental health assessment helps identify the issue and determine the best treatment options to help. It is usually performed by a doctor psychologist, psychiatrist or psychologist.
During the examination, the healthcare professional will ask questions directly and observe objectively. They will also take into consideration the patient's history that includes the family history, any previous psychiatric illnesses and any medications the patient is taking. The healthcare provider may be interested in knowing about any prescription drugs or nutritional supplements, as well as herbal remedies that the patient is taking, too. This is because certain physical ailments have similar symptoms as mental disorders, and the healthcare professional needs to rule them out.
The health professional will also inquire about the patient's work, social life and family. They will look for signs of a lack of motivation, issues in maintaining relationships and avoiding situations that cause negative emotions. They will also determine the presence of any suicidal thoughts or feelings. They will talk to the patient about their routine and habits, such as whether they drink alcohol or use any illegal substances. The healthcare professional may also suggest additional physical examinations, like blood tests or computed tomography scans (CT scans) to rule out physical causes of the symptoms.
The nature of the thoughts will be assessed through direct questions and the examination of the topics discussed during the interview. A thought disorder is an abnormal way of thinking, which could include hallucinations - visions of objects, people or events that are not present; delusions - belief of false beliefs regardless of evidence to the contrary obsessions and compulsions - repetitive actions; and a lack of association - the tendency to make irrelevant connections between seemingly unrelated subjects.
After the psychiatric examination the healthcare professional will record the results and discuss them with the patient. The healthcare professional will determine a treatment plan. This could be a combination of psychotherapy and medication, dependent on the diagnosis and the individual requirements. Once the patient has improved, he or she will be released. Regular assessments can be beneficial in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. These assessments can be carried out in many methods, including asking the patient to fill out questionnaires at regular intervals, or by using software like Quenza to measure factors like mood and cognition.
Follow-up
Clinicians must evaluate the impact that therapeutic interventions have had on the lives of patients at the end of every encounter. Indicators can include whether the client has met their initial goals in seeking therapy, like greater life domain happiness, or if they are more resilient in the face of challenges. The clinician may also need to monitor a client's progress through a treatment process such as regular mindfulness meditation sessions.
Therapists can, for instance, use Quenza's "Life Domain Satisfaction", a pre-loaded activity to invite clients rate their satisfaction on a 10-point rating scale with 16 aspects of life. This is an enlightening way to measure progress, since it allows clients to monitor changes in their wellbeing over time, and provides helpful indicators for assessing the improvement of mental health.
The Cultural Formulation Interview is another tool that can be used to collect qualitative data in an assessment of mental health. The goal of CFI is to provide clinicians with an accurate picture of a patient's culture CFI also includes additional modules that can be used to obtain additional information from caregivers and family members.
A formal examination of specific cognitive abilities follows an empathetic approach to the patient. It involves testing a range of tasks, including memory, attention and higher-ordered thinking abilities. This should be conducted at the conclusion of the doctor-patient session to encourage cooperation and avoid resistance.
A questionnaire for evaluation of patients is a vital instrument that can be administered to patients following their release from psychiatric facilities. These questionnaires allow to compare the responses of the patient and the responses of other patients in the same clinic. They also provide a benchmark of improvement that can be measured over time.