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Mental Health Assessments at Mercy Health A mental health assessment is a series of tests and questions administered by a medical or psychological professional. It is a tool to aid them in assessing your symptoms and decide on the degree of care you require, from outpatient services to inpatient treatment. It is recommended to bring a friend or an advocate to the event and this can be done through your local council or through an advocacy service such as Rethink. Screening A screening mental health assessment is a test used to ascertain whether the patient is functioning in a healthy mental and social level. This kind of test can also aid in the diagnosis of neurological disorders and certain diseases. It is a method of screening for depression, substance abuse and a number of other conditions. These tests are typically less expensive and shorter than professional evaluations provided by mental health professionals. In general, a screening assessment involves a short interview with the person being assessed and questions regarding the present and past symptoms, when they started and the length of time they've been present. The patient could also be asked about a family background of mental illness or when she's been diagnosed with a different medical condition. It is also crucial to discuss the patient's thoughts, feelings, and opinions with the healthcare professional. During the exam, the healthcare provider can inquire about any fears or concerns she might have. The provider will also ask about any medications the patient is taking and how it's functioning. It is recommended to bring someone from the family or a friend to the interview. Following a brief interview, the healthcare professional will likely administer some tests. The tests used will vary according to the type and length of the test. Rating scales can be utilized to help patients simplify complex emotions and feelings. These tests are helpful in determining the severity and planning treatment of a disorder. Other assessment tools include lists of symptoms which provide possible symptoms and can be used to identify a specific disorder. These tools should be used with caution as they don't take into consideration all of the biological, psychosocial and cultural factors that influence the patient's life. Another method through the way that the patient's thoughts and emotions are assessed is by analyzing her thought content. This will assess her ability to form coherent ideas and to make connections between things that are not related to one another. 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 abilities, status or being feared by others; obsessive compulsive behaviors; and fears. Diagnosis Mental health assessments can help identify the root cause of patient symptoms, such as anxiety or depression. They can also assist doctors in determining the most effective treatment strategy for their patients. Mercy behavioral health experts are able to conduct a thorough and complete assessment. They will inquire about their current medication, and any herbal supplements or over-the counter remedies they are taking. They will also inquire if there is a family history of mental illness. During informative post of the mental health assessment, the physician will conduct a physical exam of the patient to rule out any possible neurological disorders or diseases that could be causing the patient's symptoms. This includes assessing motor functions, reflexes and sensations, gait and posture. The physician will also perform an examination of the neurological aspects of eye movements to determine if they are normal. The physician will also assess the patient's cognitive function that includes his or capacity to think and reason and to remember. He or she will look at the patient's appearance and determine whether he or she is dressed in a manner appropriate to their age and is maintaining a high standard of hygiene. The doctor will listen to the patient in order to understand what they are thinking and feeling. Psychologists use a variety of instruments and tests to assess the mood of a patient, their thinking, and behavior. They can, for instance, test a patient's anxiety or depression by asking them questions or by giving an easy questionnaire. They can also do a more detailed test to determine the levels of certain brain chemicals. A psychiatric examination can include an examination of the patient's social environment and relationships. It can also include a discussion about the patient's experiences in the past, like traumatizing events in childhood. It is important to understand the patient's mental and social situation to ensure the most effective treatment. Treatment Everyone goes through tough times, but if you or someone you know suffers symptoms that aren't typical, it may be time to seek help. A mental health assessment helps to pinpoint the issue and determine which kind of treatment will be beneficial. It is usually performed by a medical professional, psychologist or psychiatrist. During the assessment, the healthcare professional will ask questions direct and observe objectively. They will also consider the patient's past which includes the family history, any previous mental health issues and any current medications the patient is taking. The healthcare provider will also want to know whether the patient is taking any herbal remedies, nutritional supplements or non-prescription medicines. The healthcare provider must rule out mental disorders that could exhibit symptoms similar to physical ailments. The healthcare professional will also ask about the patient's life, work and social relationships. They will look for problems such as a lack of motivation, issues in maintaining relationships and avoiding situations which cause negative emotions. They will also determine the possibility of suicidal thoughts or feelings. They will also inquire about his or her lifestyle and routine. The healthcare professional may also suggest other physical exams such as blood tests or computed tomography (CT scan) to determine if there is a physical cause for the symptoms being experienced. The content of thoughts will be assessed through direct questions and looking at the subjects discussed during the interview. A thought disorder is a deviant way of thinking, which can include hallucinations – perceptions of people, objects or events that aren't there; delusions – conviction of false beliefs, despite evidence to the contrary; compulsive and obsessive actions; and a lack of connection – the tendency to make unrelated connections between seemingly unrelated subjects. After the psychiatric assessment The healthcare professional will write down the results and discuss them with the patient. They will then recommend an appropriate treatment plan. The treatment will comprise an amalgamation of medication and psychotherapy, depending on the patient's diagnosis and needs. Once the patient has improved then they will be released. It is important to conduct ongoing assessments in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. They can be conducted in many ways, like asking patients to complete questionnaires at regular intervals or using software like Quenza to assess aspects like cognition and mood. Follow-up At the conclusion of every session, therapists must evaluate the impact of therapeutic interventions on patients' lives. These indicators may include whether they've reached their goals prior to seeking therapy, for example, higher levels of satisfaction in their life or if they're more resilient when faced with challenges. In addition, therapists may have to monitor the progress of a patient through the entire treatment process, such as an ongoing series of mindfulness-based meditation sessions. Therapists could, for instance employ Quenza's “Life Domain Satisfaction”, a pre-loaded activity that asks clients to rate their satisfaction on an arbitrary scale of 10 points, which covers 16 elements of life. This is an enlightening method of measuring progress, as it enables clients to monitor changes in their wellbeing over time, and provides helpful indicators for assessing the improvement of mental health. The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) is a different tool to collect qualitative information during an assessment of mental health. Designed to provide clinicians with a comprehensive picture of the patient's cultural background CFI also includes additional modules that can be used to gather additional information from caregivers and family members. A formal examination of specific cognitive abilities follows an empathetic approach to the patient. It involves testing the performance of a variety of tasks such as memory, attention, and higher-ordered thinking capabilities. This is best done at the end of the doctor-patient meeting to encourage cooperation and avoid resistance. A patient evaluation questionnaire is an important instrument that can be administered to patients after their discharge from psychiatric clinics. These questionnaires allow for a comparison of the patient's responses to those of other patients in the same center, and they also provide a benchmark for improvement that can be tracked over time.