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Mental Health Assessments at Mercy Health A mental health assessment is a set of questions and tests conducted by a medical professional or psychologist. It's used to evaluate your symptoms and determine the level of care you require regardless of whether you're an outpatient or inpatient. It's a good idea to bring a friend or an advocate along and this can be done through your local council or through an advocacy service like Rethink. Screening A screening mental health assessment is an examination used to ascertain whether a patient functions in a healthy mental and social level. This kind of test can also be used to identify neurological disorders and diseases. It can be used to test for depression as well as substance abuse and many other conditions. These tests are typically smaller and less expensive than full professional evaluations offered by mental health professionals. In the majority of cases, a screening test includes a brief conversation with the person being assessed and questions about the present and past symptoms, when they started and the length of time they've been suffering for. The patient may be asked for details about her family history or whether she's been diagnosed with a different condition. It is also crucial to discuss the patient's thoughts, feelings and opinions with a healthcare professional. During the screening the healthcare professional will ask the patient if she has any particular concerns or fears. The healthcare provider will ask the patient about any medications she's taking and how they are working. It's recommended for the patient to bring a friend or family member along to the interview and to be as transparent as they can. After a short interview, it is expected that the healthcare professional will conduct some tests. The tests administered will differ based on the nature and scope of the assessment. Rating scales are frequently used to help patients sort complex emotions and feelings into simpler responses. These tests can be helpful 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 determine a specific 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 how the patient's thoughts and feelings are evaluated is through an analysis of the content of her thoughts. This will examine her ability to organize her thoughts and connect seemingly incompatible things. The analysis of thought content is helpful in identifying problems such as hallucinations that are visual tactile, olfactory, or auditory; delusions such as beliefs of special abilities, status or being feared by others; obsessive-compulsive behaviors; and anxiety disorders. Diagnosis Mental health assessments can help identify the root of a patient's symptoms, such as depression or anxiety. They can also assist doctors in determining the most effective treatment strategy for their patients. Mercy's behavioral health specialists are able to perform a thorough and comprehensive assessment. They will inquire about the patient's current medications along with herbal supplements and prescription medications. They will also ask if there is a family history of mental illness. During mental health assessments near me of the mental health assessment, the doctor will conduct a physical examination of the patient to rule out any possible neurological disorders or diseases that could be causing the patient's symptoms. This involves evaluating motor functions, reflexes and sensations, gait and posture. The doctor will also conduct an examination of the neurological aspects of eye movements to determine if they are normal. The doctor will also evaluate the patient's cognitive performance which includes her ability to think, reason, and remember. He or she will look at the patient's appearance, and determine whether or not he is dressed in a manner appropriate to their age and maintains a high level of hygiene. The doctor will listen to the patient to know what they are thinking and feeling. Psychologists employ a variety of instruments and tests to assess the patient's mood, thoughts and behavior. They can, for example test a patient's anxiety or depression by asking them questions or completing an easy questionnaire. They can also perform a more detailed testing to measure the levels in the brain of specific chemicals. A psychiatric evaluation can also include an examination of the patient's situation in society and relationships. It may also include discussions of the patient's past experiences, such as childhood traumas. It is important to understand the patient's psychological, social, and developmental circumstances to provide the most effective treatment. Treatment Everyone experiences tough times. If you, or someone you care about, is experiencing symptoms that aren't normal, it might be time to seek out help. A mental health evaluation helps to pinpoint the issue and determines which type of treatment will help. It is usually performed by a doctor psychologist, psychiatrist or psychologist. During the examination, the healthcare specialist will ask questions directly and observe objectively. They will also look at the patient's past, including any family history, prior psychiatric illness, and any medication the patient is currently taking. The healthcare professional may also want to know about any non-prescription drugs, nutritional supplements and herbal remedies that the patient is taking as well. The healthcare professional must rule out mental disorders that could have symptoms similar to physical conditions. The health professional will also inquire about the patient's work, social life and family. They will look for signs such as a lack motivation, difficulty in maintaining close relationships and avoiding situations that can trigger negative emotions. They will also look into whether there are suicidal thoughts or thoughts. They will talk to the patient about their habits and lifestyle, including whether they drink alcohol or take any illicit drugs. The healthcare professional could also suggest additional physical examinations, like blood tests or computed tomography scans (CT scans), to identify the physical causes behind the symptoms. The thoughts will be analyzed by direct questions and the examination of the topics discussed during the interview. A thought disorder is a mode of thinking that is unusual. It could include hallucinations, delusions and compulsive thoughts, and also repetitive behavior. The healthcare professional will discuss the results with the patient after the psychiatric examination. The healthcare professional will recommend a treatment program. The treatment will include a combination of medication and psychotherapy, depending on the patient's diagnosis and needs. Once the patient has improved, he or she is released. It is crucial to conduct ongoing tests to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. These can be conducted in a variety of methods, including asking the client to complete questionnaires on a regular basis or using software such as Quenza to assess factors like mood and cognition. Follow-up Clinicians should evaluate the impact that therapeutic interventions have had on the lives of clients at the conclusion of each encounter. These indicators may include whether the client has achieved their initial aims for seeking therapy, like more satisfaction in their lives, or whether they are more resilient when faced with challenges. In addition, therapists may have to monitor a client's progression through the entire treatment process like an ongoing series of meditation classes. For instance, therapists using 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 helpful method to gauge the progress of a client, since it allows clients to track changes in their wellbeing over time, and provides helpful indicators for assessing the improvement of mental health. The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) is another useful tool to collect qualitative data during the mental health assessment. The goal of CFI is to provide clinicians with an accurate understanding of the patient's culture CFI also includes additional modules that can be used to collect collateral information from family members and other caregivers. A formal examination of a specific cognitive abilities is an empathetic approach to the patient and involves assessing the performance of a variety of tasks, including memory, attention and higher-ordered thinking abilities. It is best to conduct this test at the end of the encounter between doctor and patient to get the patient's cooperation instead of provoking resistance. After patients have been discharged from psychiatric institutions, a patient evaluation questionnaire can be used to measure their improvement. These questionnaires enable a comparison between the responses of the patient and those of other patients at the same clinic. They also serve as an indication of progress that can measured over time.