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Mental Health Assessments at Mercy Health A mental health assessment is a series of questions and tests conducted by a medical professional or psychologist. It is a tool to help them assess your symptoms and decide on the amount of care you require from outpatient care to inpatient care. It is a good idea to bring a friend or advocate along to help you, which is possible through your local council or an advocacy service like Rethink. Screening A screening mental assessment is a test used to determine whether a patient is functioning at an adequate level both psychologically and socially. This kind of test can also be used to identify neurological disorders and other illnesses. It can be used to test for depression, substance abuse and a number of other conditions. These types of assessments generally are shorter and less expensive than the complete professional evaluations offered by mental health professionals. In the majority of cases, a screening test involves a brief interview with the person who is being evaluated and questions about the present and past symptoms, when they started and the length of time they've been suffering for. The patient could also be asked about a family history of mental illness or the possibility of being diagnosed with a different health issue. It is also crucial to discuss the patient's thoughts, feelings and perceptions with the healthcare professional. During the exam, the healthcare provider will ask the patient if she has any particular fears or concerns. The healthcare provider will also inquire about any medication the patient is currently taking and how it's functioning. It's usually a good idea for the patient to bring a family member or friend member along to the interview and to be as honest as they can. After a brief conversation, the healthcare professional will most likely administer some tests. These tests will vary based on the kind of test that is being conducted. Rating scales are commonly used to help patients sort complicated emotions and feelings into simpler responses. These tests can be useful in determining the severity of a condition and in planning treatment. Other assessment tools include symptom checklists which are lists of possible symptoms that can be used to pinpoint a specific disorder. However, these tools should be used with caution because they don't take into consideration all the biological, psychological and sociological factors that affect a patient's life. Another way in the way that the patient's thoughts and feelings are evaluated is through an analysis of her thought content. This will assess the ability of her to formulate coherent ideas and make connections between things that are not related to one another. The analysis of thought content is helpful in identifying problems such as hallucinations that are visual, tactile, olfactory, or auditory and delusions like the belief of special powers, status or persecution by others; obsessive-compulsive behavior and phobias. Diagnosis Mental health assessments can identify the root cause of patient symptoms, including anxiety or depression. They also aid doctors in determining the right treatment plan for their patients. Mercy behavioral health experts can perform a thorough, comprehensive assessment. They will inquire about their current medications, and also any herbal supplements or over-the-counter remedies they are taking. They will also ask if there is a family history of mental illness. In the initial diagnosis phase of the mental assessment the doctor will conduct a physical examination of the patient to determine if there are any neurological disorders or diseases which may be contributing to their symptoms. This includes assessing motor function, reflexes sensation, posture, and gait. In addition, the physician will conduct a neurological examination of eye movements and visual field to determine if they are normal. The doctor will also evaluate the patient's cognitive functioning which includes her ability to think and reason as well as remember. He or she will examine the patient's appearance and decide whether or not he is dressed in a manner appropriate to their age and maintains a high level of hygiene. The doctor will also pay attention to the patient's thoughts and feelings in order to gain a better understanding of the issues that are affecting them. Psychologists can use a variety of instruments and tests to determine the mood of a patient, their thinking, and behavior. For instance, they can test for anxiety and depression by asking the patient questions or by giving them a brief questionnaire. They can also do a more detailed test to determine the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. assess your mental health may include a discussion about the patient's relationships and social circumstances. It could also include a discussion of the patient's experiences in the past, such as traumas that occurred in childhood. In order to provide the best possible care it is crucial to know the patient's mental development, social and developmental history. Treatment Everyone has tough times. However, if you or someone you care about, has symptoms that aren't typical, it might be time to seek assistance. A mental health evaluation can help to determine the cause of the problem and determine what kind of treatment will be beneficial. It is usually performed by a psychiatrist, psychologist or a medical doctor. During the examination, the healthcare professional will ask direct questions and observe objectively. They will also consider the patient's past, including any family history, prior mental illness, as well as any medications that the patient is currently taking. The healthcare provider will inquire if the patient takes any herbal remedies, nutritional supplements or non-prescription medications. The healthcare provider should rule out mental disorders that may have symptoms similar to physical conditions. The health professional will inquire about the patient's work, social life and family. They will look for problems such as a lack motivation, difficulties in maintaining relationships and avoiding situations which cause negative emotions. They will also assess the severity of any suicidal thoughts or thoughts or feelings. They will ask the patient about their life and habits. The healthcare professional may also suggest other physical examinations, such as blood tests or computed tomography scans (CT scans) to rule out physical causes of the symptoms. Thought content will be evaluated through direct questions and analysing the topics that are mentioned during the interview. A thought disorder is an abnormal way of thinking, which may include hallucinations, perceptions of objects, people, or events that are not present; delusions – belief of false beliefs, despite evidence to the contrary obsessions and compulsions – repetitive behaviors; and looseness of associations – the tendency to make unrelated connections between non-related topics. After the psychiatric assessment the healthcare professional will record the results and discuss them with the patient. The healthcare professional will prescribe a program of treatment. This will be a combination of psychotherapy and medication according to the diagnosis and the patient's personal needs. Once the patient feels better, they will be removed from the clinic. Continuous assessments can be useful in measuring the effectiveness of treatment. These assessments can be conducted in many ways, like asking clients to fill out questionnaires at regular intervals or using software like Quenza to assess aspects like cognition and mood. Follow-up Clinicians must evaluate the impact that therapeutic interventions have had on the lives of patients at the end of every encounter. Indicators could include whether the client has achieved the goals they set for themselves when seeking therapy, such as greater happiness in their lives or if they're more resilient when faced with difficulties. Alternatively, clinicians may need to monitor the progress of a patient through an entire treatment pathway like an ongoing series of mindfulness-based meditation sessions. For instance, therapists who use Quenza's preloaded “Life Domain Satisfaction” activity can ask clients to rate their satisfaction with 16 aspects of their lives based on 10-point rating scales. This is a great way to measure progress as it allows clients to monitor their health over time. It also provides valuable indicators to assess mental health improvement. The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) is another useful tool for collecting qualitative data during an assessment of mental health. It is designed to give clinicians a comprehensive picture of the patient's cultural background, CFI includes supplementary modules that can be used to gather collateral information from caregivers and family members. A formal examination of specific cognitive abilities is an approach that is more limiting to the patient. It involves testing a range of tasks, including memory, attention and higher-ordered thinking abilities. This is best done at the conclusion of the doctor-patient session to encourage cooperation and avoid resistance. After patients have been discharged from psychiatric facilities the questionnaires for evaluation of patients can be used to measure their improvement. These questionnaires permit an evaluation of the responses of the patient and the responses of other patients in the same clinic. They also serve as an indication of progress that can measured over time.