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Mental Health Assessments at Mercy Health A mental health assessment is a sequence of questions and tests conducted by a medical or psychological professional. It's a tool that can assist them in assessing your symptoms and decide on the amount of care you require, from outpatient services to inpatient care. You can also bring your friend along or even a representative through your local council or a service such as Rethink. Screening A screening mental assessment is an exam used to determine whether a patient is functioning on an adequate level both psychologically and socially. This kind of assessment can also be used to identify neurological disorders and certain illnesses. It can be employed as a screening tool for depression, substance abuse and other conditions. These assessments are usually much smaller and less expensive than full professional evaluations provided by mental health professionals. A screening assessment typically involves a brief interview with the person being assessed. Questions are asked about past and present symptoms and when they began and how long they've been present. The patient might be asked for details about her family history, or if she has been diagnosed with another condition. It is also important to discuss the patient's thoughts, feelings and perceptions with a healthcare professional. During the examination, the healthcare provider may ask the patient to discuss any concerns or fears she may have. The doctor will also inquire about any medication the patient is currently taking and how well it's working. It's recommended for the patient to bring a friend or family member to the appointment and to be as transparent as possible. After a brief interview, it is likely that the healthcare professional will conduct certain tests. These tests will vary based on the type of test that is being carried out. Rating scales are often used to aid patients in separating complex emotions and feelings into simpler responses. These tests are useful in determining the severity and planning treatment for the disorder. Other assessment tools include symptom lists, which are lists that contain possible symptoms and can be used to determine the presence of a particular disorder. These tools should be used with caution as they don't take into consideration all of the psychological, biological and cultural aspects of the patient's life. Analyzing the patient's thought content is another way to assess her emotions and thoughts. This will assess the ability of her to formulate coherent ideas and to make connections between things that seem unrelated to one another. The analysis of thought content is helpful in identifying problems such as hallucinations that are visual tactile, auditory, or olfactory and delusions like the belief of special powers, status or persecution by others; obsessive-compulsive behavior and phobias. Diagnosis Mental health assessments can help identify the cause of symptoms such as anxiety or depression. They can also aid doctors in determining the right treatment plan for their patients. Mercy behavioral health experts can perform a thorough, comprehensive assessment. They will ask about the patient's current medications as well as herbal supplements and prescription medications. They will also ask if t here is a family history of mental illness. During the diagnosis portion of the mental health assessment, the doctor will conduct a physical examination of the patient to rule out any possible neurological conditions or diseases that could be causing the patient's symptoms. This includes assessing motor functions, reflexes and sensations, posture and gait. Additionally, the doctor will conduct a neurological examination of the eye movements and visual field to determine if they are normal. The physician will also evaluate the patient's cognitive ability that includes their ability to reason, think and remember. He or she will look at the patient's appearance and decide if he or she is dressed in a manner appropriate to their age and maintains a high standard of hygiene. The doctor will listen to the patient to be able to understand what they are thinking and feeling. Psychologists can use different tools and tests to assess a patient's mood and behavior. For example, they can test for depression and anxiety by asking the patient questions or by giving them a brief questionnaire. They can also conduct more thorough test to assess the levels in the brain of certain chemicals. A psychiatric assessment can include an examination of the patient's social situation and relationships. It could also include a discussion on the patient's experiences from the past, such as traumas that occurred in childhood. To ensure the best possible care it is crucial to understand the patient's psychological, social and development background. Treatment Everybody experiences difficult times. However, if you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms that aren't typical, it might be time to seek assistance. A mental health assessment helps determine the cause and what type of treatment can help. This is usually conducted by a psychologist, psychiatrist or a medical doctor. During the assessment the healthcare specialist will ask questions directly and observe objectively. They will also take into consideration the patient's medical history, including the family history, any previous psychiatric illnesses and any medications that the patient is taking. The healthcare provider will also inquire if the patient takes any herbal remedies or nutritional supplements as well as prescription medications that are not prescribed. The healthcare provider must rule out mental disorders that could have symptoms similar to physical conditions. The health professional will ask about the patient's life, work and social relationships. They will look for signs of a lack of motivation, issues in maintaining close relationships, and avoiding situations that can trigger negative emotions. They will also look for the possibility of suicidal thoughts or feelings. They will ask the patient about their lifestyle and habits. The healthcare professional could recommend other physical tests such as a blood test or computed tomography (CT scan) in order to rule out physical causes for the symptoms being experienced. The thoughts will be evaluated through direct questions and the examination of the issues raised during the interview. A thought disorder is an abnormal mental state, which may include hallucinations, perceptions of objects, people, or events that aren't in reality; delusions and conviction of false beliefs regardless of evidence to the contrary obsessions and compulsions – repetitive behavior; and lack of association and the tendency to make unrelated connections between seemingly unrelated subjects. After the psychiatric assessment The healthcare professional will record the results and discuss them with the patient. The healthcare professional will then determine a treatment plan. This will be a combination of psychotherapy and medication dependent on the diagnosis and the individual requirements. Once the patient feels better, he or she is released. It is crucial to conduct regular tests to determine the effectiveness of the treatment. These assessments can be conducted in a variety of ways, such as asking clients to fill out questionnaires at regular intervals or using software like Quenza to gauge aspects like mood and cognition. Follow-up Clinicians must assess the impact therapeutic interventions have had on the lives of clients at the end of every encounter. Indicators may include whether the client has achieved their initial aims for seeking therapy, such as more satisfaction in their lives or if they are more resilient when faced with challenges. In addition, therapists may have to track a patient's progress through an entire treatment pathway, such as an ongoing series of meditation classes. For instance, therapists who use Quenza's preloaded “Life Domain Satisfaction” activity can ask clients to evaluate their satisfaction with 16 aspects of their lives on 10-point scales of rating. This is a great method to gauge progress since it allows clients to monitor their health over time. It also provides valuable indicators for assessing mental health improvements. 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 a comprehensive picture of the patient's cultural background CFI also includes additional modules that can be used to gather collateral information from family members and other caregivers. A formal dissecting of specific cognitive abilities follows a more reductionistic approach to the patient. It involves testing the performance of a variety of tasks like attention, memory, and higher-ordered thinking capabilities. This should be conducted at the end of the doctor-patient meeting to encourage cooperation and reduce resistance. A patient evaluation questionnaire is a vital instrument that can be administered to patients after their release from psychiatric facilities. These questionnaires permit to compare the patient's responses and those of other patients at the same clinic. They also provide an indication of progress that can be tracked over time.