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Mental Health Assessment A mental health assessment is an examination of the patient's health issues, and their effects on their daily functioning. It includes both direct questioning and objective observation. A psychiatric evaluation may also include tests for verbal or written. They can be in the form of a questionnaire or may be simple tasks such as recalling short lists or recognizing objects and shapes. Psychological Tests If you're having trouble at school or at work or have issues with your relationships, or experiencing anxiety or depression, there is likely some deeper reason behind these symptoms. A mental health assessment test can help your doctor determine this cause and recommend a treatment plan. When you undergo a psychological examination the doctor might employ a variety of psychological tests to gauge your ability to concentrate and remember information, as well as to assess your emotional stability. These tests are based on scientifically proven psychology theories and range from pencil and paper tasks to computer-based games. A basic psychological assessment will consist of a mental health exam as well as a cognitive assessment. an assessment of personality or behavior. These assessments are usually carried out by a mental health professional, but they may also be performed by a doctor or any other qualified medical practitioner. A mental status examination is a formal examination of the patient's general state of mind. It includes descriptions of the patient's appearance, general behavior, level of alertness and consciousness, motor and speech activity, mood and affect, perception and thought attitude and insight and cognitive abilities like alertness, memory, constructional ability and abstract thinking. Psychological tests may be formal, utilizing standardized procedures that are administered under controlled conditions. Or, they may be informal, involving an unstructured conversation with the client or with other individuals who are familiar with the situation of the client. All psychological assessments, regardless of the type of testing, should be conducted by licensed psychologists who have been trained to analyze and interpret results. Tests that are projective are used in a variety of psychological tests to gain access to the unconscious. The Rorschach, or inkblot, test is one of the most popular tests in this category. It provides insights into personality and emotional functioning. Other tests that are projective use the use of drawing or word association to test the emotional and cognitive processes. During the examination during the assessment, you will be interviewed by your doctor and asked questions about your family history as well as your past experiences, current functioning, and your social activities. They will look at your facial expressions and body language in order to gauge your emotional state and how you react to certain events or stimuli. They will also look for signs that you have certain traits, such as introversion or extroversion that could contribute to your symptoms. Screening tests Most mental health assessments start with a simple screen test. These tests usually take the form of a survey and can be either verbal or written. They will ask you about the symptoms you have been having and what impact they are having on your life. They might inquire about your family history because mental illness is a trait that runs in families. These tests are used to determine if your symptoms could be caused by an illness of the mind or another issue like thyroid disease. If the results of the test indicate to the doctor or another mental health professional that you may be suffering from mental illness, they will usually request additional tests to determine if you suffer from one of the most common disorders such as anxiety or depression. They will also perform a physical exam to rule out other causes such as a thyroid condition or any other alcohol or drug abuse. There are screening instruments that are specifically tailored to the needs of adolescents and children because it is difficult to assess accurately the needs of these age groups with more general screening tests. They can also be more at risk of committing suicide or affected by other serious disorders like bipolar disorder. Checklists are utilized in a few of these assessment tools. These are lists that are focused on specific symptoms. These can be used in conjunction with other techniques, but the doctor should keep in mind that they do not consider all of the psychological, social and cultural factors that could affect a patient. There are also a few tools that target a specific type of disorder. For example, those test for PTSD or depression. They are usually more thorough than the more basic screening tools. If the results of your tests suggest that you be suffering from a mental health issue, your doctor will refer to a psychiatrist or a psychologist for treatment. These providers are trained to treat a range of mental illnesses and can assist you in coping with your symptoms. They can also assist you to develop the skills you use to cope and come up with ways to cope with difficult situations in your life. Diagnosis tests Screening tests for mental health offer valuable clues to the symptoms of a patient. Primary health care providers (PCPs), behavioral health specialists, and others can use them to screen for anxiety disorders, depression bipolar disorder, depression and other mental disorders. this link are usually more detailed than screening questionnaires, and can provide additional information on the severity and nature of symptoms. They are a way to detect physical conditions that may accompany mental disease or increase the risk of developing it. In a mental health assessment patients are required to speak with a doctor or a trained professional about their feelings thoughts, behaviors and thoughts. The patient will be asked when symptoms began and how they affect their daily lives and what causes them to become worse or better. A behavioral health specialist might also employ a rating system to give an objective assessment of the severity of a condition. These tests can help determine a patient's symptom but they cannot provide diagnoses. A licensed therapy professional will conduct a thorough evaluation of the patient looking for clues in their behavior and interactions with others. They must also consider the history of mental illness within the family of the patient as well as the person's medical history. Many people who suffer from mental disorders can improve with the right treatment and support of a mental health professional. They can learn how to manage their symptoms and live a more enjoyable life. The best method to receive the best treatment is to visit a psychologist or psychiatrist. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication to treat certain mental illnesses and a psychologist will provide emotional support and talk about lifestyle changes that can enhance the quality of life of the patient. If you think you or someone you love is in need of a mental health assessment or treatment, please contact Mercy Behavioral Health for more details. The earlier you begin treatment, the more effective. Treatment Plan A treatment plan is a written document that a counselor creates with clients to outline the steps taken in addressing the client's mental health needs. It should contain the client's current problems, past mental history, as well as the current diagnosis. The plan should also include specific, quantifiable goals and a time frame to meet those goals. It is essential that both the counselor and the client sign the plan to show that they agree with its content. Most medical insurance plans, and managed care organizations, require their clients to have a treatment plan. Some plans even mandate that a plan be reviewed and updated every 30 days, whereas others may only require an examination of an existing treatment plan every 100 days. The creation of a treatment plan is an essential part of the assessment process, because it ensures that the client is engaged in their therapy, and that their therapist is attuned to their current needs. A treatment plan can help the counselor to get more information about the client's issues and how they affect their daily life. It can aid in determining the type of therapy needed to deal with those symptoms. Counselors may use various templates to make an effective treatment plan. But, it is crucial to remember that each client's treatment plan will be specific and should reflect the unique needs of the client. It is important that the counselor listens to the client, and incorporates the assessment results in their treatment sessions. As part of the process of planning treatment the counselor needs to determine the readiness of the client to change. This can be done either by asking questions regarding the client's feelings and behavior, or by watching their behavior and bodylanguage. A counselor may also have to ask the client about their family and professional life, to see how their psychiatric symptoms affect these areas of their lives. After the treatment plan has been completed the treatment plan will be laid out during a meeting with the client. At this moment the therapist will generally seek feedback from the client on the goals and objectives of the treatment plan. At this point, any issues with the plan will also be discussed.