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Mental Health Assessment – The First Step to Diagnosing a Mental Health Problem When individuals seek out mental health services they are often overwhelmed by their feelings and aren't sure what to do about them. Fortunately, loved ones are usually able to tell when something is wrong and encourage the person to take action. The assessment process is the way therapists gather data and analyse it to determine a client's specific requirements. It can be informal or formal, standardized or non-standardized, self-report or therapist-administered. Mental health A mental health assessment is a process that a medical professional conducts to see if someone might have a mental health problem. The procedure may involve an examination for medical reasons, observations and tests. The assessment may be lengthy and may require several appointments. It is important to answer all questions in a professional manner and be honest with your healthcare professional. This will assist the doctor make an accurate diagnosis. Psychologists and psychiatrists use a variety of methods to evaluate mental health. You may be given written or verbal assessments. These tests are called psychological tests and may be standardized tests that detect specific disorders. These tests are typically utilized in conjunction with interviews and observations to help diagnose the person. The MMPI-2 test is among the most frequently used tests. It measures a variety of mental disorders. Another common test is the Y & Z Test, which evaluates a person's reaction to anxiety and stress. Mental health professionals will also assess the patient's cognitive performance during the examination. This will include a description about the person's alertness and level of consciousness in relation to their motor and speech activities, their feelings and moods, their thought and perception as well as attitudes and understanding. They will also test the capacity to recall information and abstractly think, as well as follow the directions. If you are concerned that your child may have a mental health problem it is crucial to take them to get evaluated by a professional. This could be a psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor. It is crucial that the professional has sufficient time to understand your child's situation and how they feel. It is best for the child to be alone with the expert during the entirety or a portion of the evaluation. Explain to your child that the test is not punishment and that you're hoping that the professional will be able find out what's going on so that it can be treated. It might be helpful to remind your child that everyone experiences depression and anxiety at times however if the symptoms persist, they should be addressed. Signs and symptoms Mental health disorders can alter the way you think and behave. It can make it difficult to manage daily life and relationships. Counselling and medication may help. Everyone is worried or sad at times however it's more serious when these changes affect your life and continue to happen. If you know someone who has changes in their emotions and their behavior that are disturbing or making it hard for them to function day-to-day, speak to them about it. If you suspect they may be at risk of suicide or self-harm contact triple zero (000) immediately. Depression anxiety disorders, depression and other mental illnesses affect approximately 264 million people around the world. These symptoms include low mood and difficulty getting enough sleep or concentrating, as well as changes in eating or drinking. The condition can be caused by a variety of things including brain chemicals, genes or stress. Traumatic events like a car crash, a natural disaster, or war can also trigger it. Other causes include an ancestral history, certain medications, or physical health problems. There is no single test that can be used to identify mental health issues. However, a diagnosis can be made by a psychiatrist, other medical doctors, or clinical psychologists. Mental health professionals use a system of classification called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM which classifies disorders into categories such as anxiety disorder, depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. Alternative diagnostic methods include non-categorical systems like the ones developed by German psychiatrist Kraepelin during the 19th century and more recent ones, like the dimensional model. There is learn here how to get a private mental health assessment continuing debate in the field of science regarding the relative advantages of categorical systems versus non-categorical ones. Stigmatisation can lead to negative outcomes for those with mental illness. There are a variety of organizations and movements that work to educate people on mental health issues and dispel the myths regarding them. The Royal College of Psychiatrists campaign Changing Minds and the Carter Centre which is based in the United States which provides fellowships to journalists who conduct research and writing about mental illness and illness are two examples. Diagnosis Finding a mental health issue diagnosed is the first step towards managing your symptoms. A diagnosis will help your doctor figure out what's causing your mood and issues with behavior and determine the best course of treatment. Depending on the condition it could be that you require outpatient treatment, hospitalization or medication. A mental health evaluation will also allow your doctor to determine if a physical issue is causing your symptoms. During the mental state exam the doctor will ask you questions to assess how you feel and think. They can also conduct an examination of your body to look for any muscle weakness or changes in vision, or trouble walking. They will ask about any medication you are taking in addition to any over-the-counter medicines and supplements. There are a variety of mental health tests that range from simple questionnaires to brain imaging techniques. Certain tests are used to identify certain illnesses, like depression or anxiety. Certain tests are used to evaluate a person's abilities like memory or concentration. One of the most important parts of a mental health assessment is the cognitive assessment, which checks for conditions that affect the way you think. Your doctor will assess your alertness, capacity to pay attention and focus as well as your memory, reading comprehension and your use of language to express yourself. You may be asked to read a short piece of literature, and be asked questions about it later. This is to check for paraphasic errors (mistakes made in pronunciation), semantic mistakes (mistakes made in meaning) and neologisms. Some tests, such as personality inventories, measure a patient’s emotions or behaviors. These tests can reveal whether you are optimistic, pessimistic, compassionate or competitive or if your character is more inclined to be a person of trust or be competitive. Other tests test the skills, capabilities and motivations, like the work-related competencies or the values associated with jobs. Many mental health professionals have their own set of assessments tools they prefer to use. They can also mix these tools with other methods, such as conducting interviews with clients or recording physiological functions. The MMPI-2 is one of the most widely used psychometric tests around the world. It evaluates your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. It includes 10 clinical scales, and three subscales that can detect defenses, lies and inconsistent responses. Treatment Many people have tough times and some may even suffer from a mental disorder. Mental illness can affect the whole family. It can cause unemployment and homelessness, substance abuse, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and a diminished quality of life. Treatment for mental disorders can be extremely efficient and enhance the quality of life of a person. Treatment includes a variety of therapy and medications. Some patients may have to be hospitalized in a mental health facility. During a mental health assessment in a mental health assessment, a doctor will find out how well the person thinks and how well he or she remembers and processes information (cognitive functioning). The doctor will assess and ask questions to the person. The doctor will also question the patient about their relationships with other people. The mental health assessment can include tests that measure short-term memory which is the capability to recall information instantly after completing another intellectual task. The test may involve learning four concepts that are not related or items, a sentence or a person's name and address. After 3 to 5 minutes you would be asked to recall the information. The Beck Anxiety Inventory is a popular self-report test to assess anxiety. In some cases doctors will request a physical examination to rule out neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. These conditions can have similar symptoms to some mental disorders. During the physical exam, the doctor will check the person's reflexes, sensory perception, gait and posture. The doctor might also perform an urine or blood test to rule out infections or other diseases that might interfere with the patient's mental health. Talking therapies and psychiatric drugs are the most popular treatments for mental disorders. Talking therapies include psychotherapy as well as group therapy. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers and benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed medications. The use of psychiatric medication can ease symptoms, but it is not always efficient. The effectiveness of treatment is dependent on the severity and nature of disorder and the response of the patient and the length of time in treatment. Early treatment can help prevent symptoms from worsening and improve recovery.