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Mental Health Assessments at Mercy Health A mental health assessment is a series of tests and questions conducted by a psychological or medical professional. It's used to evaluate your symptoms and determine the level of care that you need, whether it's inpatient or outpatient. You can also bring a friend with you or a representative, either through your local council or through a program such as Rethink. Screening A screening mental assessment is an exam used to determine if a patient is functioning at an adequate level both psychologically and socially. This kind of assessment can also be used to identify neurological disorders and diseases. It can be used to screen for depression, substance abuse and various other ailments. These assessments are usually much less expensive and shorter than professional evaluations offered by mental health professionals. A screening assessment typically involves a brief interview with the person being evaluated. Questions are asked about the present and past symptoms and when they began and the length of time they've been present. The patient may be asked about her family history of mental illness, or if she's been diagnosed with another health issue. It is also important to discuss the patient's thoughts, feelings and opinions with a healthcare professional. During the screening the healthcare professional may ask the patient to discuss any concerns or fears she may have. The provider will also ask about any medication the patient is taking and how well it's working. It's a good idea to bring someone from the family or a friend to the appointment. After a short interview, it is likely that the healthcare professional will administer some tests. The tests administered will differ based on the nature and scope of the assessment. Rating scales can be utilized to aid patients in reducing complex emotions and feelings. These tests can be useful in determining the severity and planning treatment for an illness. Other assessment tools include symptoms lists that list possible symptoms and are used to determine the presence of a particular disorder. However, these tools should be used with caution because they don't take into consideration all the psychological, biological, sociological and cultural variables in the life of a patient. The analysis of a patient's thoughts is a different method to evaluate her emotions and thoughts. This will assess the ability of her to formulate coherent ideas and make connections between things that seem unrelated to each other. The analysis of thought content is helpful in identifying disorders such as hallucinations that are visual, tactile, auditory, or olfactory; delusions such as beliefs of special powers, status or persecution by others; obsessive-compulsive behaviors and anxiety disorders. Diagnosis Mental health assessments can identify the root cause of patient symptoms, like anxiety or depression. They also aid doctors in determining the best treatment plan for their patients. Mercy behavioral health specialists can perform a thorough, comprehensive assessment. They will ask the patient about their current medications 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 stage of the mental examination, the doctor will conduct a physical exam of the patient in order to rule out any neurological conditions or conditions that could be contributing to their symptoms. This includes assessing motor function, reflexes, sensation, posture and gait. Additionally, the doctor will perform a neurological examination of eye movements as well as visual field to determine if they are normal. The doctor will also look at the patient's cognitive function which includes capacity to think and reason and to remember. The doctor will look at the appearance of the patient to determine if they're dressing appropriately for their age and maintain a high standard of hygiene. He or she will listen to the patient to understand what they are feeling and thinking. Psychologists can use a variety of tools and tests to evaluate a patient's mood, thinking, and behavior. They can, for instance, test a patient's anxiety and depression by asking them questions or completing an informal questionnaire. They can also do an extensive test to assess the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. A psychiatric assessment can also include a discussion of the patient's relationships and social situation. It can also involve an examination of the patient's previous experiences like childhood traumas. To ensure the best treatment it is essential to understand the patient's psychological, social and development history. Treatment Everyone goes through tough times However, if you or someone you know has symptoms that aren't typical, it could be time to seek assistance. A mental health evaluation can help to identify the problem, and determines which type of treatment will be beneficial. It is usually performed by a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist. During the assessment, the healthcare specialist will ask questions directly and observe objectively. They will also look at the patient's past history, including any family history, prior psychiatric illness, and any medication the patient is currently taking. The healthcare provider may be interested in knowing about any non-prescription drugs, nutritional supplements and herbal remedies the patient is taking as well. This is because some physical conditions can have similar symptoms as mental disorders, and the healthcare provider needs to rule them out. The healthcare professional will inquire about the patient's personal life and work, as well as social connections. They will look for problems like a lack of motivation, difficulties in maintaining relationships, and avoidance of situations that can trigger negative emotions. They will also determine if there are any suicidal feelings or thoughts. They will talk to the patient about their lifestyle and habits, including whether they drink alcohol or take any illicit drugs. The healthcare professional could also suggest other physical exams like a blood test or computed tomography (CT scan) in order to determine if there is a physical cause for the symptoms you are experiencing. The nature of the thoughts will be analyzed by direct questions and the examination of the issues raised during the interview. A thought disorder is a mode of thinking that is not normal. It can be characterized by hallucinations, delusions and obsessions, and compulsions, as well as repetitive behaviors. The healthcare professional will discuss the findings with the patient after the psychiatric assessment. They will then prescribe the treatment program. This could be a combination of psychotherapy and medication according to the diagnosis and the patient's personal requirements. Once the patient has improved, he or she will be discharged. Regular assessments can be beneficial in evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. They can be conducted in many ways, including asking clients to fill out questionnaires on a regular basis or using software like Quenza to gauge things like cognition and mood. Follow-up At the end of each encounter, clinicians need to evaluate the impact of therapeutic interventions on clients' lives. Indicators may include whether the client has fulfilled their initial goals for seeking therapy, such as greater life domain satisfaction or if they are more resilient when faced with difficulties. The therapist may also have to track a client’s progress through a treatment plan, like regular mindfulness meditation sessions. For instance, therapists who use Quenza's preloaded “Life Domain Satisfaction” activity could ask clients to rate their satisfaction with 16 different aspects of their lives based on 10-point rating scales. This is a great method to gauge progress since it allows clients to monitor their health over time. It also provides valuable indicators to assess mental health improvements. The Cultural Formulation Interview is another instrument that can be utilized to gather qualitative data as part of the mental health assessment. CFI is designed to provide doctors a comprehensive picture of a patient's background cultural. It also includes supplementary modules that collect data from family members and other caregivers. A formal examination of a specific cognitive abilities follows a more reductionistic approach to the patient and involves testing the performance of a variety of tasks like memory, attention and higher-ordered thinking abilities. The ideal time to do this is at the end of the doctor-patient interaction in order to enlist the patient's cooperation rather than causing resistance. A patient evaluation questionnaire is an important instrument that can be administered to patients after their discharge from psychiatric centers. what is mental health assessment allow a comparison between the responses of the patient and those of other patients at the same clinic. They also serve as a benchmark of improvement that can be measured over time.