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Mental Health Assessment A mental health assessment is an examination of the symptoms of a patient and the effects they exert on their daily activities. It consists of direct questions as well as objective observation. A psychiatric evaluation may also include written or verbal tests. These tests may take the form of a questionnaire or simpler tasks such as recalling brief lists or recognizing objects and shapes. Psychological tests There could be a deeper cause for your symptoms, whether you're struggling at school or work, experiencing relationship problems, or are suffering from anxiety or depression. A mental health assessment tests can help your doctor determine this cause and recommend a treatment plan. In a psycho-evaluation, your doctor will conduct a variety of psychological tests to determine your ability to think clearly, remember information and your emotional stability. These tests are based on scientifically tested psychology theories and range from paper and pencil tasks to computer-based games. A psychological assessment of a basic nature includes a mental state examination, a cognition assessment and a personality or behavioral assessment. These tests are typically carried out by a mental health specialist, but they could also be administered by a doctor or any other qualified medical professional. A mental status examination is a structured examination that examines the patient's general appearance, state of mind and general behavior. It also takes into account speech and motor activity as well as mood and emotional state. Psychological tests can be formal and standardized, with procedures that are that are administered under controlled conditions or informal, involving informal interviews with the client or others who are familiar with the patient's condition. All psychological assessments regardless of the kind of testing, must be conducted by licensed psychologists who are trained to analyze and interpret results. The use of projective tests is in some psychological tests to discover the unconscious. These include the Rorschach test, better known as the inkblot test, and can provide insight into personality and emotional functioning. Other tests that are projective use the use of drawing or word association to assess emotional and thinking processes. During a behavioral or personality assessment the doctor will talk to you and ask you questions about your family history, past experiences as well as your social activities and your current performance. They will examine your facial expressions and body language while doing so to determine your mood and your responses to specific events or stimuli. They will also determine if you have certain traits such as introversion or extroversion, that could contribute to your symptoms. Screening Tests Many mental health assessments start with a simple screening test. These tests often take the form of a questionnaire and may be written or written. They ask you to discuss your symptoms and how they affect your life. They might also inquire about your family history, as mental illness can run in families. These tests are designed to determine whether the symptoms you're experiencing could be the result of an illness of the mind or another issue, like a thyroid disease. If the results of the test indicate to the doctor or another mental health professional that you might have a mental illness, they'll usually request additional tests to determine if you have one of the more common disorders such as anxiety or depression. They may also conduct an examination to rule out any other causes, like thyroid disease or substance or alcohol abuse. There are screening instruments that are specifically tailored to the requirements of adolescents and children because it is difficult to accurately evaluate the needs of these age groups with more general screening tests. They could also be at a greater risk of suicide or other serious illnesses such as bipolar disorder. Checklists are used in some of these assessment tools. These are lists that focus on specific symptoms. These can be used in addition to other methods, however the physician must keep in mind that they do not consider all of the psychological, social, and cultural factors that may influence a patient. There are a number of tools that concentrate on a specific type of disorder, like ones that are designed to detect PTSD or depression. They tend to be more thorough than the more basic screening tools. If the tests show up that indicate a mental health issue, the doctor will refer you for the services of psychologists or psychiatrists. These providers are trained to treat a variety of mental illnesses and assist you in managing your symptoms. They can also assist you to work on strategies for coping and learn to deal with challenging situations in your life. Diagnostic tests for diagnosis Mental health screening tests can provide crucial clues to a patient's symptoms. Primary health care providers (PCPs) and behavioral health specialists, and others may use them to screen for anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental disorders. These tests are typically more thorough than screening questionnaires, and can aid in gathering additional information about the nature and severity of symptoms. They are a way to detect physical conditions that could be associated with mental illness or increase the likelihood of developing it. During a mental assessment patients are required to talk to a doctor or other trained professional about their feelings, thoughts and behaviors. The patient will be asked when the symptoms started and how they affect their daily lives and what causes them to become worse or better. A behavioral health professional might also employ a rating system to provide accurate information about the severity of a problem. These tests can help identify the symptoms of a patient, but they cannot make an accurate diagnosis. A licensed therapist or psychologist will need to conduct a thorough evaluation of the patient and search for clues in their behavior and interactions with others. They must also consider any evidence of mental illness in the patient's family and the patient's medical history overall. Many people with mental problems can improve with the right treatment and guidance from an expert in mental health. They can learn to manage their symptoms, and live a more enjoyable life. The best way to receive the appropriate treatment is to consult a psychologist or psychiatrist. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication to treat certain mental illnesses and a psychologist will offer emotional support and discuss lifestyle changes that could improve the patient's quality of life. If you think that you or a loved one needs a mental health assessment or treatment, please contact Mercy Behavioral Health for more details. The earlier you begin treatment and the more efficient it will be. Treatment Plan A treatment plan is a document that a counselor and client make together to describe the steps they'll take in addressing a client's mental health needs. It should include an explanation of the client's present problems, their mental health history, and current diagnosis. The plan should also include specific, measurable goals and a time-frame to meet those goals. Both the counselor and the patient 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. Some plans require that the plan be reviewed and updated every 30 days, whereas others only require the review of an existing treatment plan every 100 days. The creation of an effective treatment plan is an essential element of the assessment process, as it helps ensure that the client is fully involved in their therapy and that their therapist is aware of their needs at the moment. A treatment plan will aid the counselor in getting a clearer picture of the client's issues and how they affect their daily life. It can also aid in determining the kind of therapy needed to address those symptoms. Counselors may use various templates to make the treatment plan. But, it is crucial to keep in mind that every client's treatment plan will be specific and should reflect the unique requirements of the individual. It is essential that the counselor listens to the client and incorporates the results of the assessment in their treatment sessions. A counselor must evaluate the client's readiness to change as part of the treatment plan. This can be done either by asking questions about the client's feelings and behavior, or by watching their body language and behavior. A counselor should also inquire about the family of the client and work to determine the extent to which their psychiatric issues influence these aspects of their life. The treatment plan will be discussed with the client in another session. At this point the therapist will generally seek feedback from the patient on the goals and objectives of the treatment plan. If there are any issues with the treatment plan they will be discussed during this session as well.