Mental Health Assessments at Mercy Health
A mental health assessment is a set of tests and questions administered by a psychologist or a medical professional. It is a tool to aid them in assessing your symptoms and determine the level of care you need, from outpatient services to inpatient treatment.
It is recommended to bring a friend or an advocate with you, which can be done through your local council or an advocacy service like Rethink.
Screening
A screening mental health assessment is an examination used to ascertain whether the patient is functioning at a level that is healthy on a psychological and social level. This type of assessment can also assist in the diagnosis of neurological disorders and diseases. It can be used to test for depression or substance abuse, as well as various other ailments. These assessments are usually much less expensive and shorter than professional assessments offered by mental health professionals.
A screening assessment typically involves a brief interview with the person being evaluated. Questions are asked about past and present symptoms and the time they started and how long they have been present. The patient could be asked about her family history of mental illness, or the possibility of being diagnosed with a different health issue. It is crucial to discuss with a healthcare professional about the patient's thoughts and feelings.
During the screening the healthcare professional may ask the patient to discuss any fears or concerns she might have. The healthcare provider will ask the patient about any medications she is taking and how they are working. It's generally a good idea for the patient to bring a family member or friend member to the appointment and to be as open as possible.
After a brief conversation, the healthcare professional will likely conduct some tests. These tests will vary depending on the kind of test that is being conducted. Rating scales are commonly used to help patients sort complicated emotions and feelings into simple responses. These tests are useful in determining the severity of a disorder and planning treatment for the disorder.
Other assessment tools include symptom checklists which are lists of symptoms that can be used to determine a particular disorder. However, these tools should be used with caution as they do not consider all the biological, psychological social and cultural factors in the life of a patient.
The analysis of the patient's thoughts is another method of evaluating her thoughts and emotions. This will look at the ability of her to formulate coherent ideas and make connections between things that appear unrelated to each other. The analysis of thought content is helpful in identifying disorders like hallucinations that are either visual, tactile, olfactory, or auditory and delusions like the belief of special powers, status or persecution by others; obsessive-compulsive behavior and anxiety disorders.
Diagnosis
Mental health assessments can help identify the cause of symptoms such as anxiety or depression. They can also assist doctors determine the best treatment for their patient. Mercy's behavioral health professionals are able to perform a thorough and comprehensive assessment. They will ask the patient about their current medications as well as any herbal supplements or other over-the-counter remedies they are taking. They will also ask if there is any family history of mental illness.
During the diagnosis phase of the mental assessment the doctor will conduct a physical examination of the patient to rule out any neurological disorders or diseases that could be contributing to their symptoms. This includes evaluating motor function, reflexes posture, sensation and gait. In addition, the physician will conduct a neurological examination of the eye movements and visual field to determine if they are normal.
The physician will also assess the patient's cognitive functioning which includes her ability to think and reason and to remember. He or she will take a look at the appearance of the patient to determine if they are dressed appropriately for their age and if they maintain a high standard of hygiene. He or she will also observe the patient's thoughts and feelings in order to get a better understanding of what is going on with them.
Psychologists can use different instruments and tests to evaluate a patient's mood and behavior. For instance, they can test for depression and anxiety by asking the patient questions or by giving them a short questionnaire. They can also conduct more thorough test to assess the levels in the brain of certain chemicals.
A psychiatric assessment can include a discussion of the patient's situation in society and relationships. It may also include a discussion about the patient's experiences from the past, for instance traumatizing events in childhood. In order to provide the best care it is crucial to understand the patient's psychological development, social and development history.
Treatment
Everyone goes through tough times, but if you or someone you know experiences symptoms that aren't common, it might be time to seek out help. A mental health assessment can help identify the issue and determine what type of treatment can assist. It is usually performed by a doctor psychologist, psychiatrist or psychologist.
During the assessment the healthcare specialist will ask questions directly and observe objectively. They will also consider the patient's medical history which includes family history, prior psychiatric illnesses and any current medication the patient is taking. The healthcare professional will also want to know whether the patient uses herbal remedies, nutritional supplements or non-prescription medicines. This is because certain physical conditions have similar symptoms as mental disorders and a healthcare professional must to determine if they are a result of mental illness.
The healthcare professional will inquire about the patient's personal life as well as their work and social interactions. They will look for signs of problems, such as lack of motivation, issues in maintaining relationships and avoiding situations which can trigger negative emotions. They will also look into whether there are suicidal thoughts or thoughts. They will also inquire about their lifestyle and habits. The healthcare professional may also suggest other physical exams, such as blood tests or computed tomography (CT scan) in order to determine if there is a physical cause for the symptoms that are being experienced.
Thought content will be evaluated through direct questions and looking at the subjects mentioned during the interview. A thought disorder is a type of thinking that is unusual. It could include hallucinations, delusions and obsessions, and compulsions, as well as repetitive behaviors.
The healthcare professional will discuss the results with the patient following the psychiatric examination. They will then prescribe a treatment program. The treatment will include a combination of psychotherapy and medication, according to the diagnosis of the patient and requirements. When the patient is feeling better and is able to function normally, they is discharged. Continuous assessments can be useful in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. These assessments can be carried out in a variety of ways, such as asking patients to complete questionnaires regularly or using software like Quenza to measure aspects like cognition and mood.
Follow-up
At the conclusion of every encounter, clinicians need to examine the effect of their therapeutic interventions on their clients' lives. The indicators could include whether the client has fulfilled their initial goals for seeking therapy, such as higher levels of satisfaction in their life, or whether they are more resilient in the face of difficulties. In addition, therapists may have to monitor the progress of a patient through an entire treatment pathway for example, a continuous series of mindfulness meditation sessions.
For instance, therapists who use Quenza's preloaded "Life Domain Satisfaction" activity could invite clients to assess their satisfaction with 16 aspects of their lives using 10-point scales of rating. This is a useful method to gauge progress, since it allows clients to track the changes in their wellbeing over time, and provides helpful indicators to evaluate improvements in mental health.
The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) is a different tool for gathering qualitative information during a mental health assessment . CFI is designed to provide doctors a comprehensive picture of the patient's culture. It also comes with additional modules to collect information from caregivers and family members.
Formal dissection of specific cognitive abilities is a simplistic approach towards the patient. It involves testing a variety of tasks, including memory, attention, and higher-ordered reasoning abilities. Ideally, this is done near the close of the physician-patient encounter to get the patient's cooperation rather than causing resistance.
After patients have been discharged from psychiatric facilities the questionnaires for evaluation of patients can be used to measure their progress. These questionnaires permit a comparison of the patient's response to those of other patients treated in the same clinic and provide an improvement benchmark that can be measured over time.