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Mental Health Assessment A mental health assessment is a thorough examination of the patient's symptoms, and their effects on their daily functioning. It involves direct questioning as well as objective observation. Written or verbal tests could also be included in a psychiatric assessment. They can be in the form of a questionnaire or could be a simple task such as recalling short lists or recognizing shapes and objects. Psychological Tests If you're having trouble at work or school, have trouble with your relationships or are suffering from depression or anxiety it is likely that there is some deeper reason behind these symptoms. A mental health assessment tests can help your doctor identify the root cause and suggest a treatment plan. In a psychological assessment during a psychological evaluation, your doctor will utilize a variety of psychological tests to gauge your ability to think clearly and retain information, as well as to assess your emotional stability. These tests are based on research-based psychology theories and can vary from paper and pencil tasks to computer-based games. A psychological assessment of a basic nature will include a mental state examination, a cognition test and a personality or behavioral assessment. These tests are usually conducted by a mental healthcare professional, but they may also be performed by a doctor or another qualified medical practitioner. A mental status examination is a structured test that includes the patient's general state, appearance, and general behavior. It also takes into account motor and speech activity as along with mood and affect. Psychological tests can be either formal with standard procedures that are conducted under controlled conditions, or informal, involving unstructured conversations with the client or others who are familiar with the client's condition. All psychological assessments regardless of the kind of testing, must be conducted by licensed psychologists who have been trained to analyze and interpret the results. Certain psychological tests use techniques known as projective tests, which seek to tap into the unconscious. The Rorschach, or inkblot, test is among the most popular tests in this category. It gives insights into personality and emotional functioning. Other projective tests use words or drawings to test the emotional and cognitive processes. When you undergo a personality or behavior assessment, your doctor will interview you and ask questions about your family history, past experiences, social activities, and your current behavior. Your doctor will evaluate your emotional state by observing your facial expressions and body language. They will also note if you exhibit certain characteristics like introversion or extroversion, that may contribute to your symptoms. Screening tests Many mental health assessments begin with a simple screening test. These tests typically are in the form of a questionnaire, and may be written or written. They ask you about your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may ask about your family history, as mental illness is a condition that is passed down through families. These tests are designed to determine if the symptoms you are experiencing could be the result of a mental health disorder or another issue, like thyroid diseases. If the screen results indicate that the doctor or another mental health professional believes that you have a mental disorder, they will order additional tests to determine if you are suffering from anxiety or depression. They will also conduct an examination to rule out any other causes, like thyroid disease or alcohol or substance abuse. There are specific screening instruments for children and teenagers that are geared to their needs, because these age groups may be difficult to determine accurately using more general screening tests. assessing mental health may also be at higher risk of suicide or other serious illnesses like bipolar disorder. Some of these assessment tools utilize checklists, which are specialized lists that are focused on specific symptoms. They can be used in conjunction with other methods, but the doctor should be aware that they don't take into account all of the psychological, social, and cultural factors that can influence the patient. There are also tools that are aimed at particular types of disorder. For instance, tools test for PTSD or depression. These are generally more comprehensive than the simpler screening tools. If the tests show up showing a potential mental health issue, your doctor will refer you for the services of psychologist or psychiatrist. These professionals are trained to treat various mental illnesses and they can assist you in managing your symptoms. They can assist you in developing resilience skills and teach you how to manage difficult situations. Diagnosis Tests Screening tests for mental health can offer valuable clues to a patient's symptoms. They may be used by primary medical doctors (PCPs) or behavioral health specialists to check the presence of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and other mental disorders. These assessments are more detailed than screening questions and help to gather additional information about the severity and nature of symptoms. They can be used to screen physical conditions that may accompany mental illness or increase the likelihood of developing it. During a mental health assessment patients will be asked to speak with a doctor or other trained professional about their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. The patient will be asked when the symptoms started and how they affect their daily life and what causes them to become worse or better. A behavioral health professional may also utilize an assessment scale to provide objective information on the severity of a disorder. These tests can help determine the symptom of a patient but they cannot provide diagnoses. A licensed therapist or psychologist is required to conduct a thorough evaluation of the patient and search for clues in their behavior and interactions with other people. They will also need to look at any past signs of mental illness within the family of the patient and the overall medical history of the patient. Many people who suffer from mental disorders can be helped by the proper treatment and guidance from a mental health professional. They can learn how to manage their symptoms, and live a more fulfilling lifestyle. A psychiatrist or psychologist is the ideal person to consult for treatment. A psychiatrist may prescribe medication to treat specific mental disorders, and a psychologist can provide emotional support and discuss lifestyle changes that can enhance the quality of life of the patient. Contact Mercy Behavioral Health if you or a family member thinks they need an evaluation for mental health. The earlier you start treatment, the better. Treatment Plan A treatment plan is a document that a counselor creates with clients to outline the steps that are taken to address the client's mental health needs. It should outline the person's current problems, past mental health history, and the current diagnosis. The plan should contain specific, quantifiable goals as well as a timeline to achieve those goals. Both the counselor and client should be able to sign the plan to confirm that they are in agreement with its content. The majority of medical insurance plans and managed care organizations require a treatment plan for their customers. Certain plans require that a treatment plan be reviewed every 30 days. Some plans may only require it to be updated every 100 days. A treatment plan is a crucial part of the assessment, as it ensures that the client is actively involved in their therapy and their therapist is aware of their requirements. A treatment plan will assist the counselor in obtaining an understanding of the client's issues and how they affect their daily lives. It will aid in determining the type of therapy needed to deal with those symptoms. Counselors can use various templates to develop an effective treatment plan. However, it is important to remember that every client's treatment plan is specific and should reflect the specific needs of the client. It is also essential that the counselor takes the time to talk to the client and incorporate evaluation results into their sessions of treatment. A counselor needs to assess the client's willingness to change as part of the treatment plan. This can be done by asking questions regarding the client's feelings and behavior, or by watching their body language and behavior. A counselor will also need to ask the client about their family and work life, to see how their psychiatric disorders affect the way they live their lives. The treatment plan will be discussed with the client in a subsequent session. The therapist will ask the client to provide feedback on the treatment plan's goals and objectives at this stage. At this point, any issues with the treatment plan will be discussed.