Mental Health Assessments at Mercy Health

A mental health assessment is a series of tests and questions administered by a psychologist or medical professional. It is a tool to aid them in assessing your symptoms and determine the degree of care you require, from outpatient services to inpatient treatment.

It is a good idea to bring a mate or an advocate with you to help you, which is possible through your local council or an advocacy service such as Rethink.

Screening

A screening mental health assessment is an examination that determines if the patient is functioning in a healthy mental and social level. This type of carers assessment mental health can also be used to diagnose neurological disorders and illnesses. It can also be used as a screening tool for depression, substance abuse and other ailments. These types of assessments are typically shorter and less costly than the comprehensive, professional evaluations that are provided by mental health professionals.

A screening test usually involves a brief interview with the person who is being assessed. Questions are asked about past and present symptoms and the time they started and how long they have been present. The patient may also be asked about a family background of mental illness or when she's been diagnosed with another health issue. It is also important to discuss the patient's thoughts, feelings, and perceptions with a healthcare professional.

During the screening the healthcare professional will ask the patient if she has particular fears or concerns. The healthcare provider will also inquire about any medication the patient is currently taking and how it's working. It's usually recommended for the patient to bring a family or friend member to the appointment and to be as honest as possible.

After a brief interview, the healthcare professional will likely conduct tests. The tests used will vary based on the type and extent of the assessment. Rating scales can be utilized to assist patients in understanding complicated emotions and feelings. These tests can be useful in determining the severity of a condition and in planning treatment.

Other assessment tools include lists of symptoms that provide 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 account all of the psychosocial, biological and cultural aspects of the patient's life.

Another method through the way that the patient's thoughts and emotions are assessed is through an analysis of the content of her thoughts. This will look at her ability to form coherent ideas and to make connections between things that appear unrelated to one another. The analysis of thought content is helpful in identifying problems such as hallucinations that are visual, tactile, olfactory, or auditory or delusions, such as the belief of special powers, status, or being targeted by others; obsessive-compulsive behaviors; and anxiety disorders.

Diagnosis

Mental health assessments can help identify the root cause of patient symptoms, such as anxiety or depression. They can also aid doctors in determining the right treatment plan for their patients. Mercy's behavioral health professionals are able to conduct a thorough and comprehensive assessment. They will ask about the patient's current medications along with herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines. They will also inquire about any family history of mental health problems.

During the diagnosis portion of the mental health assessment, a doctor will conduct a physical exam of the patient to rule out any potential neurological disorders or diseases that may be contributing to the patient's symptoms. This includes evaluating motor function, reflexes posture, sensation, and gait. The doctor will also conduct a neurological exam of the eye movements to determine if they are normal.

The doctor will also look at the patient's cognitive function which includes capacity to think and reason as well as remember. The doctor will look at the appearance of the patient to see if they are dressing appropriately for their age and maintain a high standard of hygiene. They will also listen to the patient's thoughts and feelings in order to get more insight into what is going on with them.

Psychologists may employ a variety of instruments and tests to evaluate the patient's mood and behavior. For instance, they could test for depression and anxiety by asking the patient questions or providing them a brief questionnaire. They can also perform a more detailed test to determine the levels of certain chemicals in the brain.

A psychiatric evaluation may include a discussion about the patient's relationships and their social circumstances. It can also involve discussions of the patient's experiences in the past including childhood traumas. To provide the best treatment, it is important to know the patient's mental background, social and development history.

Treatment

Everybody experiences difficult times. But if you, or someone you love, has symptoms that aren't typical, it might be time to seek help. A mental health assessment can help identify the problem and determines the type of treatment that can aid. This is typically done by a medical doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist.

During the examination the healthcare professional will ask questions direct and observe objectively. They will also look at the patient's history, including any family history, any prior mental illness, and any medications that the patient is currently taking. The healthcare professional may be interested in knowing about any prescription drugs, nutritional supplements and herbal remedies the patient is taking as well. The healthcare provider should confirm the existence of mental disorders that may exhibit symptoms similar to physical conditions.

The health professional will also ask about the patient’s work, social life and family. They will look for signs such as a lack motivation, difficulties in maintaining relationships, and avoidance of situations that trigger negative emotions. They will also look for the severity of any suicidal thoughts or feelings. 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 other physical examinations, such as blood tests or computed tomography scans (CT scans), to rule out physical causes of the symptoms.

The nature of the thoughts will be analyzed through direct questions and an examination of the topics discussed during the interview. A thought disorder is an abnormal method of thinking that may include hallucinations, perceptions of objects, people or events that are not in reality; delusions and conviction of false beliefs despite evidence to the contrary; obsessions and compulsions - repetitive actions; and a lack of connection and the tendency to make irrelevant connections between seemingly unrelated subjects.

Following the psychiatric evaluation, 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 dependent on the diagnosis and the patient's personal needs. Once the patient feels better and is able to function normally, they will be released. Regular assessments can be beneficial in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. They can be conducted in many ways, such as asking the patient to complete periodic questionnaires, or by using software like Quenza to assess factors like mood and cognition.

Follow-up

Clinicians must evaluate the impact therapeutic interventions have had on the lives of patients at the conclusion of each session. These indicators may include whether they have reached their goals prior to seeking therapy, such as higher levels of satisfaction in their life, or whether they are more resilient in the face of difficulties. The therapist might also need to track a client’s progress through a treatment plan, such as recurring mindfulness meditation sessions.

For instance, therapists using Quenza's preloaded "Life Domain Satisfaction" activity could ask clients to evaluate their satisfaction with 16 aspects of their lives based on 10-point rating scales. This is a useful method of measuring the progress of a client, since it allows clients to track changes in their health over time. It also provides helpful signposts for assessing improvements to mental health.

The Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) is a different tool for gathering qualitative information during a mental health assessment. The goal of CFI is to provide clinicians with an extensive picture of a patient's culture, CFI includes supplementary modules that can be used to obtain additional information from family members and other caregivers.

Dissection of specific cognitive abilities is a simplistic approach to the patient. It involves testing a variety of tasks, including attention, memory and higher-ordered reasoning abilities. This is best done at the end of the meeting between the doctor and patient to encourage cooperation and prevent resistance.

A questionnaire for evaluation of patients is an important tool that can be administered to patients following their discharge from psychiatric clinics. These questionnaires permit a comparison between the responses of the patient and those of other patients in the same clinic. They also serve as an indication of progress that can be measured over time.