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Mental Health Assessment A mental health evaluation is an examination of the patient's symptoms and their impact on daily life. It involves both direct questioning and observation. A psychiatric assessment may include written or verbal tests. They can be conducted in a form of questionnaire or be simple tasks such as recalling short lists or recognizing shapes and objects. Psychological Tests There is likely a deeper reason behind your symptoms, regardless of whether you're struggling at work or school, experiencing relationship problems, or are suffering from depression or anxiousness. A mental health assessment tests will help your doctor pinpoint the root cause and suggest a treatment plan. When you undergo a psycho-evaluation your doctor will employ a variety of psychological tests to determine your ability to think clearly, remember information, and maintain your emotional stability. These tests are based on research-based psychology theories and can vary from pencil and paper tasks to computer-based games. A basic psychological evaluation will include a mental status exam, a cognitive assessment and an assessment of personality or behavior. They are typically conducted by an expert in mental health however, they can be conducted by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. A mental status exam is a structured examination of the patient's general state of mind and includes descriptions of the patient's appearance, general behavior, levels of consciousness and attention as well as speech and motor activity, mood and affect, thought and perception as well as insight and attitude and more advanced cognitive functions like alertness memory, ability to construct and abstract thinking. Psychological tests may be formal, utilizing standardized protocols that are administered under controlled conditions, or they can be informal, involving unstructured interview with the patient or others who are familiar with the condition of the client. Whatever the type of test, all psychological assessments must be administered by licensed psychologists who are educated to assess and interpret results. Projective tests are used in a variety of psychological tests to access the unconscious. The Rorschach, or inkblot, test is among the most commonly used tests for projectivity. It offers insight into emotional and personality functioning. Other tests using projective methods employ drawing or word association to test the emotional and mental processes. In a personality or behavioral assessment, your doctor will interview you and ask you questions about your family history, past experiences as well as your social activities and your current performance. Your doctor will evaluate your mood by watching your facial expressions and body language. They will also look for signs that you have certain characteristics like introversion or extrovert, which may contribute to your symptoms. Screening Tests Many mental health assessments start with a basic screening test. These tests typically take the form of a questionnaire, and can be either verbal or written. They ask you to discuss your symptoms and how they impact your life. They may ask about your family history since mental illness is a trait that is passed down through families. These tests are performed to determine if your symptoms are caused by a mental illness or another issue like thyroid disease. If the results of the screen suggest to the doctor or mental health professional that you might have mental disease, they'll typically conduct further tests to determine if you suffer from one of the most common disorders such as anxiety or depression. They may also conduct an examination to rule out other causes, like thyroid disease or alcohol or drug abuse. There are screening tools that are adapted to the requirements of adolescents and children as it can be difficult to accurately assess these groups of age with more general screening tests. They could also be at a higher risk of committing suicide or affected by other serious illnesses such as bipolar disorder. Some of these assessment tools employ checklists, which are specialized lists that focus on specific symptoms. These can be used in conjunction with other methods, however the physician must keep in mind that they do not take into consideration all of the psychological, social and cultural factors that can affect a patient. There are a number of tools that focus on a particular type of disorder, for instance ones that are designed to detect PTSD or depression. These tools are usually more comprehensive than simple screening tools. If the tests come back with a possible mental health issue, the doctor will refer you for the services of psychologist or psychiatrist. They are trained to treat a variety of mental illnesses and assist you in coping with your symptoms. They can help you develop coping skills and learn how to handle difficult situations. Diagnosis Tests Mental health screening tests provide valuable clues to the symptoms of a patient. They may be used by primary care physicians (PCPs) or behavioral health specialists to look for symptoms of anxiety, depression bipolar disorder and other mental disorders. These tests are usually more comprehensive than screening questionnaires and provide additional information on the nature and severity of symptoms. They can be used to identify physical conditions that could be associated with mental disease or increase the risk of developing it. During a mental health assessment the patient are asked to speak with a doctor or another trained professional about their feelings, thoughts and behaviors. They will be asked questions about the time when they started experiencing symptoms and how they impact them in their daily lives and what causes them to be better or worse. A behavioral health professional can also use an assessment scale to provide objective data on the severity of a disorder. These tests can help identify a patient's symptom however they are not able to make diagnoses. A licensed psychologist or therapist will need to conduct an extensive evaluation of the patient and look for indications in their behavior and interactions with others. They will also have to consider the history of mental illness within the family and the patient's medical background. Many people who suffer from mental disorders can improve their condition with the right treatment and the support of an expert in mental health. They can learn to manage their symptoms and live happier lives. A psychiatrist or psychologist is the ideal person to seek treatment. A psychiatrist can prescribe medications to treat specific mental disorders, and a psychologist can 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 requires a mental health evaluation and treatment, call Mercy Behavioral Health for more details. The earlier you start treatment the more effective. Treatment Plan A treatment plan is a document that a counselor and a client make together to outline the steps they will follow to address the client's mental health issues. It should include a description of the person's current mental health history, and current diagnosis. The plan should include specific, measurable goals and a timetable to accomplish those goals. It is important that both the counselor and the client sign the plan to indicate that they are both in agreement with its terms and conditions. The majority of medical insurance plans and managed care organizations require the use of a treatment plan for their clients. Some plans even mandate that a treatment plan be reviewed and updated every 30 days, whereas others only require a review of a treatment plan every 100 days. A treatment plan is an important part of the assessment, because it ensures that the client is actively involved in their therapy and their therapist is aware of their needs. A treatment plan can aid the counselor in getting an accurate picture of how the client's issues impact their daily lives and determine what type of therapy is needed to treat the symptoms. For the purposes of creating an effective treatment plan, there are many different templates available for counselors to utilize. online mental health assessments is essential to remember that each client will have a unique treatment plan and it should reflect their specific needs. It is essential that the counselor listens to the client and incorporates the results of the assessment into their treatment sessions. As part of the process of planning treatment A counselor will have to determine the readiness of the client for change. This can be done by asking the client questions about their feelings and behaviors or by watching the client's body and language. A counselor will also need to ask the client about their family and work life to find out how their psychiatric issues influence these aspects of their lives. The treatment plan will be discussed with the client during another session. At this stage, the therapist will usually seek feedback from the client regarding the goals and objectives in the treatment plan. If there are any problems with the treatment plan they will be discussed at this time as well.