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Mental Health Assessment – The First Step to Diagnosing a Mental Health Problem When individuals seek out mental health services they may be overwhelmed by their feelings and aren't sure what to do. Luckily, loved ones can often recognize the signs of something wrong and encourage them to take the next step. Assessment is the method by which therapists collect and analyze information to identify a client's needs. It can be informal or formal, standardized or non-standardized, self-report or therapist-administered. Mental health A mental health assessment is a procedure in which a professional checks to determine if a person may have a mental health issue. The procedure may involve an examination by a doctor as well as tests, observations and examinations. It can take a lot of time, and sometimes the assessment includes several appointments. It is crucial to be honest with the health professional and to answer all questions honestly. This will allow the doctor to make an accurate diagnose. Psychologists and psychiatrists employ different methods for mental health assessments. You may be given written or oral assessments. These are referred to as psychological tests, and they may include tests that are standardised and test for specific disorders. These tests are typically combined with observations and interviews to determine the condition of a person. describes it include the MMPI-2 that measures various types of mental disorders, and the Y & Z test, that is designed to assess a person's reaction to anxiety and stress. Mental health professionals will evaluate the cognitive functioning of a patient during an assessment. This includes a description of the person's alertness, consciousness level, motor and speech activities, moods and feelings as well as perception and thought and their attitude and understanding. They will also evaluate the ability to follow directions, recall things and think abstractly. If you're concerned that your child has a mental health issue, it is very important to take them to get evaluated by a professional. This could be a psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor. It is crucial that the professional has sufficient time to fully understand the child's circumstances and the way they feel. It is best if the child can be alone with the health professional for all or a portion of the examination. You should explain to your child that going for an assessment is not an act of punishment, and that you are hoping the expert can discover what is going on to be able to treat it. It may be helpful to remind them that everyone feels down and anxious every now and often, but if these feelings persist, they need to be addressed. Symptoms Mental health disorders can alter how you think and behave. It can make it hard to cope with everyday life and relationships. Counselling and medication can help. Everyone feels sad or worried at times, but it's more serious when these changes impede your life and continue to happen. Talk to someone about the changes in emotions and behavior that are making it difficult to function on a regular basis. If you suspect they are at risk of self-harm or suicide, call triple zero (0000) immediately. Depression anxiety disorders, depression and other mental illnesses affect approximately 264 million people worldwide. The symptoms include mood swings and difficulty in concentrating or sleeping, and changes in drinking or eating. It is caused by a variety of factors, including brain chemicals, genes or stress. It could also be caused by traumatic events such as a car crash, natural disaster or war. Other causes include a family history, certain medications, or physical health issues. There is no one test that can be used to identify mental health problems. A psychiatrist, a medical doctor, or a clinical psychologist may diagnose mental health issues. Mental health professionals utilize a classification system called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM which categorizes disorders into categories such as depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder. Alternative methods of diagnosis include non-categorical systems like those developed by German psychiatrist Kraepelin during the 19th century, and more recent ones, like the dimensional model. There is a scientific debate on the relative merits of categorical and non-categorical system. People with mental health problems are stigmatised and this can lead to worse outcomes. In addition there are a variety of organizations and movements which are trying to educate the public about mental health problems and dispel the myths that surround them. The Royal College of Psychiatrists campaign Changing Minds and the Carter Centre, based in the United States which provides fellowships to journalists for research and writing stories about mental illness and illnesses, are two examples. Diagnosis The first step to manage your symptoms is to get a diagnosis of mental illness. A diagnosis will aid your doctor in determining the root of your mood or behavior issues, and determine the most efficient treatment. Depending on your illness you may require hospitalization, outpatient treatment, or medication. A mental health exam can help your doctor determine if a physical condition is the cause of your symptoms. During the mental state exam the doctor will ask you questions to find out the way you feel and think. They may also perform physical examinations to check for any muscle weakness and changes in vision or trouble walking. They will ask about any medication you take in addition to over-the-counter medications and supplements. There are many types of tests for mental health that range from simple questionnaires to brain imaging techniques. Certain tests are utilized to identify specific illnesses like anxiety or depression. Certain tests are used to determine a person's ability such as memory or concentration. The cognitive evaluation is one of the most crucial aspects of an annual mental health exam. It identifies any disorders that affect your thinking. Your doctor will assess your alertness, ability to pay attention and concentrate as well as your memory, reading comprehension and your use of language to express yourself. They may also ask you to read an excerpt of a story and inquire about it later to check for paraphasic errors (mistakes in pronunciation) and semantic mistakes (mistakes in meaning) and neologisms (meaningless words that are written exactly like real words but lack significance). Certain tests, such as personality inventories, test a patient’s emotions or behaviors. These tests can reveal whether you tend to be optimistic, pessimistic or compassionate or if you're likely to trust others or be competitive. Other tests test the skills, capabilities and motivations, such as the work-related competencies or the values associated with jobs. Many mental health professionals have their own set of assessments tools they prefer to utilize. They may also choose to combine these methods with other ones, like interviewing clients or recording physiological functions. The MMPI-2 is among the most widely utilized psychometric tests in the world. It assesses your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. It comes with 10 clinical scales, and three subscales to detect the presence of defensiveness, lies, and inconsistent responses. Treatment Many people face difficulties and some may even suffer from a mental disorder. Mental illness can trigger numerous problems that affect all those around. It can cause unemployment or homelessness, substance abuse and in the case of suicide, a wrongly incarceration and a diminished quality of life. Treatment for mental disorders can be highly efficient and enhance the quality of life for a person. The treatment consists of some type of therapy and medication. Some patients may have to be hospitalized in a mental health facility. When conducting a mental health evaluation in a mental health assessment, a doctor will determine how well the person thinks and how well he or she remembers and processes information (cognitive functioning). The doctor will ask the person questions and examine the person. The doctor will also question the person about their relationships with others. The mental health assessment can include tests to measure short-term memory, which is the ability of recalling information immediately after completing an intellectual task. The test may involve learning four unrelated concepts or sentences, objects, or someone's name and address. After three to five minutes, you would be asked to recall the information. The Beck Anxiety Inventory, a popular test that self-reports for anxiety assessment, is used to measure anxiety. In certain situations doctors may recommend a physical exam to rule out neurological disorders like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's that can cause symptoms similar to those of mental disorders. During a physical examination, the doctor will check the patient's reflexes as well as their sensory perception. Also, he will examine their gait and posture. The doctor may also perform a urine or blood test to rule out any infection or other diseases which could affect the patient's mental health. Talking treatments and psychiatric medications are the most common treatments for mental disorders. Talking treatments include psychotherapy and group therapy. They are usually prescribed as antidepressants, benzodiazepines or mood stabilizers. Psychiatric medications can ease symptoms, but it is not always effective. The effectiveness of a treatment depends on the severity and type of the disorder, as well as the person's reaction to it, and how much time the person is in treatment. Early treatment can help prevent symptoms from getting worse and can help improve recovery.