Mental Health Check Up
Mental health screenings can help distinguish between common concerns and those that are clinical. They can also assist people to catch early symptoms of anxiety or depression so that treatment can begin before the issue becomes serious.
Set realistic goals for your appointment, like describing your symptoms, getting an assessment and developing your treatment plan.
Signs and symptoms
A mental health check-up usually involves an assessment questionnaire and physical exam. Doctors may also inquire about past experiences and feelings. It's important to be honest and respond to the questions in a thorough manner. During the assessment, the doctor will probably note down a person's behavior and symptoms. They may even ask a family member or friend for information. A person can find it useful to keep a diary of their thoughts and feelings during the days or weeks before their appointment. The journal can be brought to the examination, or it can be given to their doctor to be read by their. It is also an excellent idea to create a list of all medications, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines.
If someone is suffering from mental health problems and is experiencing mental health issues, they should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as they can. It is particularly important to seek help in cases where the symptoms cause major disruption to daily life or if they make it difficult to maintain relationships. If someone tried to manage symptoms on their own, but failed, they should talk with their doctor about locating an expert to assist or a community resource.
It's important to be aware that seeking help for mental health issues isn't a sign of weakness. Instead, it's a positive step toward healing. Many people don't know that mental illness can present with physical symptoms. It is important to keep up with regular physical checks, so that your doctor can check for any underlying conditions.
Talkspace articles are written by skilled mental health contributors and vetted by a panel of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists with various specialties). We strive to provide the most reliable, valuable, and objective information possible. We link to trusted third-party sources in the text of the article or at the end of each article. This assists readers in making informed decisions regarding their health. We have a team that includes medical and editorial reviewers who ensure that we provide the best quality content.
Diagnosis
If you're suffering from a serious cold or headache, you visit your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. When it comes to mental issues it is commonplace to sweep symptoms under the carpet and hope that they will go away by themselves. A mental health exam can be just as crucial as physical checkup.
During the mental health assessment you will talk with your doctor or mental health professional about your thoughts, behaviors and issues. They will also ask questions about your work and home life, especially if you have family or friends who are a support system and how you cope with stress.
They'll be interested to know if have had any traumatic events in your past, and if you use drugs or alcohol. They will also ask about your beliefs regarding religion and the goals you're pursuing in life.
Your doctor will likely perform a physical examination and take your medical history in detail. They may also perform lab tests to rule physical illnesses out, such as an electrolyte imbalance or thyroid disease.
During the interview the doctor will observe how you describe your symptoms and watch your body language to find clues to determine what disorder you may be suffering from. They will also consult Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine the appropriate diagnosis.
When you undergo a psychiatric exam the doctor will take into consideration all of the information provided to determine which treatment is best for you. They will also help you locate local resources for help. If your doctor believes you suffer from a mental disorder they will create plans for treatment which could include therapy, medication, or counseling. They will suggest follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and determine how you are responding to treatment. They may also recommend specialists, if required.
Treatment
Someone who is suffering from a mental health issue can benefit from treatment. A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist may provide a variety of therapies and medications that can help patients manage their symptoms. Treatment is often needed if someone isn't functioning well enough in their everyday lives or if they are suicidal. Many people are diagnosed as having mental illness after seeing their primary physician or having been referred to a specialist by a friend or relative.
A medical check up may include questions about the patient's mood as well as sleep, appetite, feelings, and other indicators that could suggest a mental health issue. The patient could be asked about his or her prior mental health background. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the doctor might conduct a scan or lab test of the brain to rule out any physical causes.
Changes in your sleeping or eating habits can be an early indication of anxiety or depression. Other indicators of mental health issues include feeling depressed or hopeless or thinking of harming yourself or others. It is crucial to talk about mood and anxiety disorders during the course of a physical exam because they could have serious consequences.
Psychiatrists are trained for the diagnosis of various psychological disorders and mental illnesses. They may prescribe medication or other treatments, and could suggest a lifestyle or self-care regimen to treat symptoms. They can also teach coping techniques, such as yoga and meditation. Some psychiatrists treat children and some specialize in specific conditions, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
It is recommended to schedule mental health screenings with the same regularity as physical checkups. mental health diagnostic assessment can trigger symptoms that are as serious as physical ailments and may cause lasting effects on a person's life. Most health insurance plans cover mental health services, and U.S. laws require that insurance companies should not charge higher copayments or coinsurance for psychiatric services than they do for other services.
Follow-up
Similar to a physical exam patients suffering from mental illness must follow up with their doctors. But they also need the support of a network of professionals to help them keep their treatment on track. For patients suffering from mental illness, this network may include nurses, counselors and psychologists. In the ideal situation, these professionals can be found within the same office or facility as the primary doctor of care. This way, the patient doesn't need to go to a separate facility or a different area of the hospital to visit them.
Patients with serious mental illness or chronic medical conditions should be checked up promptly. Research suggests that people suffering from a combination chronic medical and mental problems are more likely to be admitted to hospital and die than those who have only one disorder. Untreated medical conditions can cause psychiatric issues and increase the risk for suicide.
The HEDIS measure that requires a follow-up visit to an outpatient within seven days after the discharge of a psychiatric patient is crucial. The results of a recent study suggest that those who undergo this kind of follow-up are more likely to seek outpatient services, which includes mental health services. This includes psychotherapy, medication adherence sessions and assertive community therapy (ACT for schizophrenia).
Adults who received their first outpatient mental health follow-up within 7 days of the psychiatric discharge are less likely to be hospitalized in the following six months for any reason than those who don't receive this type of follow-up. This was the case for both depression and schizophrenia groups. These differences were not statistically significant, and aren't significant, which suggests that other factors could be at play.
Patients who received a digital card reminding them of their appointment, had a 9-point increase in attendance compared to those who didn't. Although the results of this study were not statistically significant, they suggest that simple strategies can increase the likelihood that mental health patients will keep their appointments. This is an important step to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency department visits.