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Mental Health Assessment A mental health assessment is a review of a patient's symptoms and the impact they have on their daily activities. It consists of direct questions and objective observation. A psychiatric examination may include tests for verbal or written. These can be conducted in a form of questionnaire or be simple tasks like recalling short lists or recognizing objects and shapes. Psychological Tests If you're having trouble at school or work or are having issues with your relationships, or are suffering from anxiety or depression, there is likely an underlying cause for these symptoms. Your doctor will be able to determine the root cause of your symptoms and suggest a treatment plan using a mental health assessment test. During a psychological evaluation the doctor might employ a variety of psychological tests to assess your ability to concentrate and remember information as well as your emotional stability. These tests are based on scientifically proven psychology theories and can vary from paper and pencil work to computer-based games. A basic psychological examination includes a mental state examination, a cognition assessment and a personality or behavior assessment. They are usually conducted by professionals in the field of mental health however, they may be conducted by a doctor or other qualified medical practitioner. A mental state examination is a structured test that focuses on the patient's overall appearance, state of mind and general behavior. It also includes speech and motor activity as along with mood and emotional state. Psychological tests can be formal, utilizing standardized protocols that are administered under controlled conditions. Or, they may be informal and involve unstructured interview with the client or other people who are familiar with the health of the person. No matter the type of test, all psychological assessments must be administered by licensed clinical psychologists who have been trained to evaluate and interpret results. Projective tests are used in some psychological testing to gain access to the unconscious. The Rorschach or inkblot test is among the most commonly used tests for projectivity. It gives insight into emotional and personality functioning. Other projective tests use drawing or word association to assess emotional and thinking processes. In a personality or behavioral assessment, your doctor will interview you and ask you questions about your family history, your past experiences as well as your social activities and current functioning. They will look at your facial expressions and body language in order to determine your mood and how you react to certain events or stimuli. They will also look for specific traits like introversion and extrovert that could be contributing to your symptoms. Screening Tests A lot of mental health assessments begin with a screen test. These tests usually take the form of a survey and can be either verbal or written. They ask you to describe the symptoms you've been experiencing and the impact they are having on your life. They may also inquire about your family history, since mental illness can be passed down through families. These tests help determine if your symptoms could be caused by a mental illness or another issue like thyroid disease. If the results of the test show the doctor or other mental health professional that you might have mental disease, they'll typically conduct further tests to determine if you suffer from one of the more common disorders like depression or anxiety. 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 adolescents and children that are specifically designed to meet their needs, as these age groups can sometimes be difficult to evaluate accurately using more general screening tests. They may also be more at risk of suicide or affected by other serious illnesses such as bipolar disorder. Checklists are used in some of these assessment tools. These are lists that focus on specific symptoms. They can be used in conjunction with other methods, but the physician must be aware that they do not take into account all the psychological, social, and cultural factors that could influence the patient. There are also a few tools geared towards a specific type of disorder. For instance, they are those test for PTSD or depression. These are generally more comprehensive than the standard screening tools. If the results of the tests indicate that you may be suffering from a mental health issue Your doctor will refer you to a psychiatrist or a psychologist to receive treatment. They are trained to treat a variety of mental disorders and can help you manage your symptoms. They can also assist you to work on the skills you use to cope and come up with ways to cope with difficult situations that arise in your life. Diagnosis Tests Mental health screening tests provide valuable information about a patient's symptoms. They are often used by primary care physicians (PCPs) or behavioral health specialists to assess the presence of anxiety, depression bipolar disorder and other mental disorders. These tests can be more precise than screening questions and assist gather additional information on the nature and severity symptoms. They can also be used to check for physical ailments that could be a part of a mental illness, or increase the likelihood of developing one. When undergoing a mental assessment, patients are asked to talk to a doctor or other trained professional about their emotions thoughts, behaviors and thoughts. The patient will be asked about when the symptoms began, how they impact their daily lives and what causes them to become worse or better. IamPsychiatry can also use an assessment scale to provide objective data on the severity of an illness. These tests can help to determine the symptom of a patient but they cannot provide an accurate diagnosis. A licensed psychotherapist will conduct an extensive evaluation of the patient seeking out clues in their behavior and interactions with others. They must also examine the history of mental illness within the family of the patient as well as the person's medical history. Many people with mental problems can be helped by the proper treatment and the support of a mental health professional. They can learn to manage their symptoms, and live a more enjoyable lifestyle. A psychiatrist or psychologist is the ideal person to talk to for treatment. A psychiatrist can prescribe medications to treat specific mental disorders, and a psychologist can offer emotional support and discuss lifestyle changes that could improve the quality of life of the patient. Contact Mercy Behavioral Health if you or a family member believes they require an evaluation of their mental health. The sooner you start treatment, the more efficient it will be. Treatment Plan A treatment plan is a written document that a counselor drafts with the client to outline the steps taken in addressing the client's mental needs. It should contain the client's present mental health issues, past mental history, and current diagnosis. The plan should also include specific, quantifiable goals and a time frame to achieve those goals. Both the counselor and the client should sign the plan in order to show that they agree with its contents. The majority of medical insurance plans and managed care organizations require the use of a treatment plan for their customers. Some plans even mandate that a plan be reviewed and updated every 30 days, whereas others only require the review of the treatment plan every 100 days. A treatment plan is an essential element of the assessment since it guarantees that the client is fully involved in their therapy, and that their therapist is aware of their needs. A treatment plan will also help the counselor to get a clearer picture of the client's symptoms and how they impact their daily lives. It can also help determine the type of therapy needed to address those symptoms. Counselors may use various templates to develop a treatment plan. It is crucial to keep in mind that every client is going to have a distinct treatment plan that should reflect their unique needs. It is essential that the counselor listens to the client, and incorporates the assessment results in their treatment sessions. A counselor will need determine the client's willingness to change as part of the treatment plan. This can be done either by asking questions about the client's emotions and behaviors or by observing their behavior and bodylanguage. Counselors will also have to inquire about their family and work life, to see how their psychiatric symptoms influence the way they live their lives. Once the treatment plan has been completed the treatment plan will be laid out during a meeting with the client. At this point the therapist will typically ask for feedback from the client regarding the goals and objectives of the treatment plan. If there are any problems with the treatment plan they will be discussed at this time as well.