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Mental Health Assessment – The First Step to Diagnosing a Mental Health Problem When people seek help for mental health issues they are often overwhelmed by their feelings and aren't sure what to do. Fortunately, family members are often able to discern the signs of trouble and encourage the person to take action. The assessment process is where therapists gather information and analyse it to determine the client's specific requirements. It can be informal or formal, standardized or non-standardized, self-report or therapist-administered. Mental health A mental health evaluation is a procedure in which a professional examines a person to determine if they have problems with their mental health. A medical examination, observations and tests are part of the procedure. The examination could be lengthy and may require several appointments. It is important to answer any questions honestly and be honest with your health professional. This will allow the doctor to make an accurate diagnose. Psychologists and psychiatrists use different techniques to assess mental health . They can give you written or verbal tests. These are referred to as psychological tests. They can include tests that look for specific conditions. These are often used together with observations and interviews to make diagnoses. The most popular tests include the MMPI-2 that measures a number of different types of mental disturbances, and the Y & Z test, which is designed to measure a person's reaction to stress and anxiety. Mental health professionals will assess the cognitive function of patients during an assessment. This will include a report about the patient's alertness, level of consciousness as well as their speech and motor activities, their feelings and moods, their thoughts and perception as well as their attitudes and understanding. They will also test the ability to follow directions, remember things and think abstractly. If you are concerned that your child has a mental health problem It is vital to have them evaluated by a professional. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor. It is essential that the professional has enough time to comprehend your child's needs and the way they feel. It is best for your child to be alone with the professional during the entire or a portion of the assessment. It is important to inform your child that going for an assessment is not a punishment, and that you're hoping the professional can find out what is going on so it can be treated. It may help to remind your child that we all experience anxiety and depression at times However, if the feelings persist, they need to be addressed. Signs and symptoms A mental health problem can affect thinking, perceptions emotions, and behaviour. It can make it difficult to cope with everyday life and relationships. Counselling and medication can help. It's normal to be concerned or sad However, when the changes persist and affect your daily life, it is more serious. If someone you know has changes in their emotions and behavior that make it hard to live day-to-day, talk to them about it. If you suspect they are at risk for self-harm or suicide, call triple zero (0000) immediately. Around 264,000,000 people suffer from depression, anxiety disorders and other mental disorders. The symptoms include mood swings, difficulty in concentrating or sleeping, and changes in eating or drinking. It can be caused by many things, including brain chemicals, genes or stress. Traumatic events like an accident in a car, natural disaster, or a war can also trigger it. Other causes include the family history, certain drugs or physical health problems. There is no one test to determine the presence of mental health problems. A psychiatrist, a different medical doctor or a clinical psychologist can diagnose mental health disorders. Mental health professionals use a classification system known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), which separates disorders such as bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression into categories. Alternative diagnostic methods include non-categorical systems like those devised by German psychiatrist Kraepelin in the 19th century, and more recent ones, like the dimensional model. There is ongoing scientific debate on the relative merits of categorical and non-categorical systems. mental health diagnostic assessment with mental health issues are stigmatized, and it can contribute to worse outcomes. Additionally there are numerous organizations and movements which are trying to educate the public about mental health issues and eliminate the myths associated with them. The Royal College of Psychiatrists campaign Changing Minds and the Carter Centre, based in the United States which provides fellowships to journalists who conduct research and writing stories about mental illness and illnesses, are two examples. Diagnosis Getting a mental health problem diagnosed is the first step to managing your symptoms. A diagnosis can aid your doctor in determining what's causing your mood and behavioral issues and choose the best course of treatment. Based on the severity of your illness you may require hospitalization, outpatient treatment, or medication. A mental health assessment could aid your doctor in finding out if there is something else related to an illness that is physical, could be causing your symptoms. In the mental health exam, your doctor will ask you questions about how you are feeling and thinking. They might also conduct physical examinations to check for any muscle weakness, changes in vision or a difficulty walking. They will ask you about any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements. There are a myriad of types of mental health tests, from simple self-report questionnaires to brain imaging techniques. Some tests are used for screening specific illnesses, like anxiety or depression. Other tests are used to evaluate a person's functioning, such as memory or concentration. One of the most crucial parts of a mental health evaluation is the cognitive evaluation that looks for signs of disorders that affect the way you think. Your doctor will test you on your concentration, alertness and memory, reading comprehension, and the use of language. You may be asked to read a brief piece of literature and be asked questions about it later. This is to look for paraphasic errors (mistakes made in pronunciation) and semantic mistakes (mistakes made in the meaning) and neologisms. Some tests measure a patient's behaviours or emotions such as an inventory of personality. These tests can tell you if you are optimistic, pessimistic, compassionate or competitive, or if your personality is more inclined to trust others or be competitive. Other tests test the capabilities, abilities, and motivations. For instance they can assess the work-related skills or value. Many mental health professionals have their own set of assessment tools they prefer to utilize. They can also combine these tools with other methods such as interviewing the client or recording physiological functions. The MMPI-2, for example is the most commonly used psychometric test, which examines how your thoughts, emotions and behaviors influence your life. It includes 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 lead to many issues that affect all those around. It can result in unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness as well as suicide, inadvertent incarceration and a lower quality of life. Treatment for mental disorders can be extremely efficient and can improve a person's quality of life. The treatment consists of some type of therapy and medication. Certain people may need to be admitted to a mental health facility. During a mental health assessment in a mental health assessment, a doctor will determine how well the individual thinks and how well he or she remembers and processes information (cognitive functioning). The doctor will assess and ask questions to the individual. The doctor will also ask the patient about their relationships with others. The mental health test can include tests that measure short-term memories which is the capability of recalling information immediately after completing an intellectual task. The test could include learning four unrelated objects or concepts, a sentence or a name and address, then being asked to recall them within 3 to 5 minutes. The Beck Anxiety Inventory is a popular self-report test that measures anxiety. In some cases, the doctor will order an examination for physical health to rule out neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease, which can have similar symptoms to some mental disorders. In a physical exam the doctor will examine the patient's reflexes as well as their sensory perception. They will also examine their posture and gait. The doctor might also conduct an examination of blood or urine to confirm any infections or other illnesses that might affect the patient's mental health. The most popular treatments for mental disorders are psychotherapy and psychiatric medications. Talking therapies include psychotherapy and group therapy. The majority of medications are prescribed as antidepressants, benzodiazepines or mood stabilizers. Psychiatric medications can relieve symptoms, but they aren't always effective. The effectiveness of treatment is contingent on the severity and nature of disorder and the response of the patient and the amount of time spent in treatment. Early treatment can stop symptoms from getting worse and make recovery more likely.