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Mental Health Assessment – The First Step to Diagnosing a Mental Health Problem When people seek mental health services they are often overwhelmed by their emotions and aren't sure what to do. Fortunately, family members are often able to discern when something is wrong and encourage the person to take action. Assessment is the process by which therapists gather and analyze information to identify a client's needs. It can be informal or formal, standardized or non-standardized, self-report or therapist-administered. Mental health A mental health assessment is a procedure where a professional examines to determine if someone may be suffering from mental health issues. Medical examinations, observations, and tests can be part of the procedure. It can take a significant amount of time, and sometimes the evaluation will require several appointments. It is important to answer all questions in a professional manner and be honest with your healthcare professional. This will enable the health professional to make an accurate diagnose. Psychologists and psychiatrists employ a variety of methods to evaluate mental health. They may give you written or verbal tests. These tests are called psychological tests and may be standardized tests that detect specific conditions. They are usually used together with observations and interviews to make an assessment. The MMPI-2 test is among the most frequently used tests. It is a test that measures a variety of mental disorders. Another common test is the Y & Z Test, which measures a person's response to stress and anxiety. Mental health professionals will also test the patient's cognitive performance during the assessment. This includes a description of the person's alertness, state of consciousness as well as speech and motor activities, moods and feelings as well as perception and thought and their attitudes and perception. They will also test the capacity to recall information, think abstractly and follow directions. If you have concerns that your child might have mental illness it is essential to refer them to a professional to be assessed. This could be a psychiatrist, psychologist or counsellor. It is important to ensure that the appointment is long enough for the professional to fully understand the issues that are affecting your child, and how they're feeling. It is recommended that the child is with the health professional throughout all or part of the assessment. Explain to your child that the assessment is not punishment and that you're hoping that the professional will be able find out what's going on to treat it. It might help to remind them that everyone is down and anxious every now and then, but if these feelings are persistent they need to be addressed. Symptoms A mental health problem can affect your perceptions, thinking as well as feelings and behavior. It can make it difficult to cope with daily life and relationships. Counselling and medication can be helpful. It's normal to be sad or worried However, if the changes keep happening and affect your daily life, it's more serious. If someone you know is experiencing changes in their emotions and behavior that are causing anxiety or making it difficult for them to function day-to-day, have a conversation with them about it. If you suspect they are at risk of self-harm or suicide contact Triple Zero (000) immediately. Depression, anxiety disorders and other mental illnesses affect around 264 million people around the world. They can be characterized by symptoms like depression, trouble concentrating or sleeping and changes in drinking and eating. It can be caused by a variety of things, such as genes, brain chemicals, or stress. Traumatic events like a car crash, a natural disaster, or a war can cause it. Other reasons could be the family history of mental illness, or taking certain drugs or problems with your physical health. There isn't a single test that can be used to identify mental health disorders. However, a diagnosis can be determined by a psychiatrist or other medical professionals, or clinical psychologists. Mental health professionals use a system of classification called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, which divides disorders into categories like depressive disorder, anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder. Non-categorical schemes like the one devised by German psychiatrist Kraepelin in the 19th century, and more recent ones, such as the dimensions models, are alternative methods to diagnosis. There is a constant debate in the scientific community regarding the relative advantages of categorical versus non-categorical systems. Stigmatisation can have negative outcomes for those suffering from mental illness. There are a variety of organizations and movements that work to educate people about mental health issues and dispel myths about them. The Royal College of Psychiatrists campaign Changing Minds and the Carter Centre located in the United States which provides fellowships to journalists for research and writing stories about mental illness and illness, are two examples. Diagnosis Getting a mental health problem diagnosed is the first step to managing your symptoms. A diagnosis will help your doctor identify what's causing your mood or behavior issues, and determine the most efficient treatment. Depending on your illness you may require outpatient treatment, hospitalization or medication. A mental health evaluation will also allow your doctor to determine if a physical illness is responsible for your symptoms. During the mental state examination, your doctor may ask you questions to assess your mood and thoughts. They may also do a physical exam to check for signs of muscle weakness, changes in your eyesight or trouble walking. They will ask you about any medication you are taking that is not prescription-only and supplements. There are a myriad of types of mental health tests that range from simple self-report questionnaires to brain imaging techniques. Certain tests are utilized to identify specific illnesses like anxiety or depression. Some tests are used to assess a person's capabilities such as memory or concentration. The cognitive assessment is one of the most crucial aspects of an annual mental health exam. It checks for disorders affecting the way you think. Your doctor will assess your alertness, concentration, memory, reading comprehension, and language usage. You might be asked to read a brief piece of literature and then be asked about it later. This is to check for paraphasic mistakes (mistakes made in pronunciation), semantic mistakes (mistakes made in the meaning) and neologisms. Certain tests, such as personality inventories, measure a patient’s emotions or behaviors. These tests can reveal whether you are optimistic, pessimistic, empathetic or competitive or if your personality is more likely to trust other people or be competitive. Other tests test a person's abilities, skills and motivations. For instance they could assess the work-related skills or value. Many mental health professionals prefer using their own assessment tools. They can also combine these tools with other methods, such as conducting interviews with clients or recording physiological functions. The MMPI-2 for instance, is the world's most commonly used psychometric test. It examines how your thoughts, emotions and behaviors influence you. It includes 10 clinical scales, and three subscales to identify the presence of defensiveness, lies, and inconsistent responses. Treatment Many people have tough times and some suffer from mental disorder. Mental illness can trigger many issues that affect everyone around the person. It can result in unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and a diminished quality of life. Treatment for mental disorders can be highly efficient and enhance a person's quality of life. Treatment is a combination of therapy and medication. Some people need to stay in a psychiatric institution. Through a mental assessment the doctor will determine the degree to which a person's brain functions about, remembers and processes information (cognitive function). The doctor will ask the person questions and will examine him or her. The doctor will also inquire with the person about their relationships with others. The mental health assessment could include tests to measure short-term memories, which is the ability to recall information instantly after completing an intellectual task. The test could include learning four different objects or concepts like a sentence, name and address, then being asked to recall them after 3 to 5 minutes. The Beck Anxiety Inventory is a popular test for self-report to gauge anxiety. In certain situations doctors may recommend physical examinations to rule out neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which can present with symptoms that are similar to mental disorders. During a physical exam, the doctor will assess the patient's reflexes and sense perception. They will also examine their posture and gait. The doctor may also perform an examination of blood or urine to determine if there is an infection or other diseases which might affect the patient's mental condition. The most popular treatments for mental disorders involve talking treatments and psychiatric medication. Talking treatments include psychotherapy and group therapy. Antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines are all commonly prescribed medicines. Psychiatric medicines can alleviate symptoms but are not always efficient. The effectiveness of any treatment depends on the severity and type of the disorder, the patient's response to it, and how much time the person is in treatment. Early treatment can help stop symptoms from getting worse and can help improve recovery.