Mental Health Check Up
Mental health screenings can help distinguish between common concerns and clinical ones. They can also help patients detect early symptoms of anxiety or depression to ensure that treatment can be initiated before the issue becomes serious.
Set realistic goals for your visit such as writing down your symptoms, obtaining an assessment and developing an action plan.
Symptoms
A mental health check up typically consists of a questionnaire and a physical examination. Doctors may also inquire about your past experiences and feelings. Answering questions honestly and completely is crucial. The doctor is likely to keep a record of a patient's symptoms and behavior during the assessment. They might even consult someone in the family or a close acquaintance for information. One might find it beneficial to keep a record of their thoughts and feelings in the days or weeks before their appointment. This journal can be taken to the appointment, or it can be handed to the doctor for reading. It is also an excellent idea to create a list of all medications, which includes herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines.
If you're suffering from mental health symptoms it is crucial to schedule an appointment immediately. Seeking help is especially important if the symptoms are causing major disruption to your daily routine or make it difficult to maintain relationships. If the patient tried to manage symptoms by themselves and failed, they should talk to their doctor about finding a specialist to help or a community resource.
how to get a mental health assessment to be aware that seeking assistance for mental health issues isn't an indication of weakness. Instead, it's an important step towards healing. Many people are unaware that mental illness may manifest with physical symptoms. It is important to keep up with regular physical exams to ensure that your doctor can check for any underlying conditions.
Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health contributors and vetted by an expert panel of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of different specialties). We strive to provide accurate, useful and reliable information. We link to trusted third-party resources within the text of the article or at the end of each article. This assists readers in making informed decisions about their health. Our team includes medical and editorial reviewers who ensure the highest-quality content.
Diagnosis
If you're suffering from a serious headache or cold, you go to the doctor for an accurate diagnosis. However, when it comes down to mental health issues, a lot of people ignore the symptoms under the rug, hoping they will disappear on their own. A mental health checkup could be as important as physical.
During the assessment you'll be able to talk to your doctor or mental healthcare professional about your behavior and feelings. They will ask about your home and work life, whether you have family members or friends who can help you, and how well you deal with stress.
They will be interested to know if have experienced any trauma in the past, and if you have used drugs or alcohol. They'll also want inquire about your beliefs in religion and the goals you set for yourself in life.
Your doctor might conduct a thorough medical history and conduct a physical examination. They may also conduct tests on your lab to rule out physical illnesses like an electrolyte imbalance or thyroid disease, as the cause of your symptoms.
During the interview, your doctor will observe how you describe your symptoms and watch your body language to find clues about what type of disorder you might be suffering from. They will also refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine the correct diagnosis.
During a psychiatric evaluation or psychological assessment, your doctor will take into account all of the information provided to determine the best treatment for you. They will also assist you to find local resources for support. If your doctor thinks you suffer from a mental disorder they will develop a plan for treatment that may include medication, therapy or counseling. They may recommend regular appointments to check on your progress and determine how you're responding to treatment. If necessary, they will refer you to a specialist.
Treatment
Treatment is beneficial for someone who has a mental illness. A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist may provide many different therapies and medications that can help patients manage their symptoms. Treatment is usually required if someone isn't functioning properly in their everyday lives, or if they are suicidal. Many people are diagnosed with having mental illness after seeing their primary physician or being referred to an expert by a friend or relative.
A medical check-up may include questions about the patient's mood, sleep patterns, appetite, feelings and other signs that may suggest a mental health issue. The patient may be asked about their prior health background. The doctor might perform brain scans or lab tests based on the severity and duration of the symptoms.
If a person experiences changes in their sleep or eating patterns, these can be early signs of depression or an anxiety disorder. Other indicators of a mental health disorder include a loss of enthusiasm for activities, feeling sad or depressed, or having thoughts about harming you or others. Mood and anxiety disorders can have serious harm, so it is crucial to talk about these issues during a check-up.
Psychiatrists are trained to identify mental disorders and psychological issues. They can prescribe medication or other treatments. They may also suggest a lifestyle or self-care program to help manage symptoms. They may also instruct coping techniques, such as yoga and meditation. Some psychiatrists treat children, and some specialize in specific disorders, like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
It is a good idea to schedule mental health checkups with the same frequency as physical health checkups. The signs of a mental health issue may be as severe as those of a physical condition, and they can have a lasting impact on the person's life. The majority of health insurance plans cover mental health services, and U.S. laws require that insurance companies should not charge higher copayments or coinsurance for mental health services than they charge for other services.
Follow-up
As with a physical checkup patients with mental health issues should follow-up with their doctors. But they also need the assistance of a group of professionals to help stick with their treatment. In the case of mental illness, this might include counselors, psychologists and nurses. These providers should be located within the same office as the primary doctor. This means that patients do not have to travel to a separate building or different part of the hospital to visit them.
People with serious mental illness and chronic medical conditions should be checked up promptly. Research suggests that people who suffer from a combination of chronic medical and mental health issues are more likely to be in the risk of hospital admissions and death than those suffering from either condition on their own. In addition the untreated medical conditions can trigger psychiatric issues and increase the chance of suicide.
In this regard, the HEDIS measure of a first follow-up outpatient visit within seven days of the discharge from psychiatric care is important. Recent research suggests that those who receive this kind of follow-up will be more likely to seek outpatient care that includes mental health services. This includes medication adherence, psychotherapy sessions and assertive community therapy (ACT for schizophrenia).
Adults who received their first outpatient mental health treatment within 7 days after a psychiatric discharge are less likely to be hospitalized during the following six months for any reason than adults who don't receive this type follow-up. This was true both for the schizophrenia and depression cohorts. These differences were not statistically significant and tiny, suggesting that different factors may be at play.
Patients who received a digital card that reminded them of their appointment had an increase of 9 points in attendance compared to those who did not receive a reminder. The results of this study, although not statistically significant, suggest that simple strategies could improve the likelihood that patients with mental health issues can attend their follow-up appointments. This is an important step in preventing unnecessary admissions and emergency department visits.