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Mental Health Assessments A mental health assessment is a crucial tool to help people understand their mental well-being. There are many tools, from standardized to self-reports that professionals use to aid in this. A mental health exam is among the most common. It permits counselors and doctors to observe the appearance, attitude, and activity. They can also observe their mood thoughts, emotions, and mood. Signs and symptoms Mental health problems can cause people to change their mood, thoughts and behaviour. They may be unable to work and interact with other people. Mental illness is a serious health condition and many of the same things that affect our physical health are also connected to our mental health, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Everyone experiences ups and downs in their mood. However, if these changes are extreme and last for a long time it could be a sign of a mental illness. Common symptoms include a change in sleeping or eating habits, or energy levels; an abrupt reduction or increase in emotions such as sadness, happiness, or anger; difficulty remembering or concentrating and being tired all the time. It is important to not dismiss your concerns regarding someone you care about. Calling a helpline or seeing a health professional early can help stop mental health issues getting worse. Many of these changes are caused by life events, such as losing a job, family problems or an accident that's serious. It's important to get treatment for a mental disorder so that it doesn't impact your relationships and work. Certain illnesses can be treated with counseling or medication. Some conditions require hospital treatment. There are more than 200 distinct mental disorders, like anxiety disorders, depression schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Some of them are life-threatening. Others are more mild and don't affect daily living, such as some fears. Mental health can be affected in many ways, including genetics and biological differences, life experiences, stress, lifestyle decisions and the way society treats its citizens. It is important to realize that mental illness shouldn't be viewed as a cause for shame. Similar to heart disease and diabetes it is treatable and improved. Mental illness can be treated and many people recover with the right treatment. This could include psychotherapy (talk therapy) or medication such as antidepressants or sedatives. Combining treatments is usually most effective. Some people find that self-help and support groups are helpful as well. History The history of mental health issues is a central part of any examination. In addition to looking at the signs and symptoms, and performing psychological tests, a psychiatrist will need to examine your medical history and if you have had any family members suffering from mental illnesses. They'll also ask you about your current medications and any prior drug use or alcoholism you may have suffered from. In some cases doctors may request you to record your symptoms in an account book or bring a friend or family member along so they can hear the full story. For some people, a mental health assessment is the first step to seeking treatment for a condition. It is often triggered by a physician or other professional who refers the patient but it could be initiated by the individual. The psychiatric evaluation will provide the professional the necessary information to determine an appropriate diagnosis. Throughout most of recorded the history of mankind, Western civilization's view of mental illness was based on supernatural forces and demonic possession, which led to primitive treatments like drilling a hole into the head (trepanning). The 18th and 19th centuries saw the rise of a more humane approach to treating the mentally ill, as doctors began to abandon these superstitions and adopt logical explanations/theories for their patients. The term “mental” is used in two different ways: as a way to describe a state of health, and also as a term that covers psychotherapy and psychiatry. Mental health is now being pushed to become its own discipline. However it hasn't been an absolute separation between it and psychiatry. The definition of mental health varies depending on the culture, but most systems incorporate elements such as self-realization, an elation of achievement; happiness; and a sense of control over one's surroundings. These criteria are influenced, however, by cultural norms that can exclude those who have not reached their full potential, those who live in low-income areas, those who live in areas that are deprived, and minorities that experience discrimination and rejection. Other assessment tools can be used to assess the health of a person's mental state. These include the DSM-5 Checklist, which lists of specific disorders as well as the Life Events Checklist which can check for distressing or traumatic events in a patient’s life. Physical Exam The physical examination of a patient with a suspected mental health problem is generally performed by a medical professional or psychiatrist. The exam may be part of the overall physical exam, or it could be conducted by a health care professional when the doctor believes that a specific illness like schizophrenia, dementia or addiction to drugs is involved. The test is a chance to assess the person's appearance, their emotional state, and how they respond to questions. The doctor will inquire about the duration of symptoms and whether there is an ancestral history of mental illness. The doctor will want know if the person has ever taken any medications that are not prescription supplements and drugs. A psychiatric evaluation is essential to determine what is happening inside a person and what type of treatment might be beneficial. A diagnosis is essential and, based on the final diagnosis the patient may require medical or inpatient care. The diagnosis is usually taken in the hospital. However, some patients might be able to have a mental exam conducted at home by an authorized professional. One of the main parts of a mental health assessment is the assessment of cognitive function. This is the ability to pay attention to information, organize and remember it, solve problems, and make decisions. It also includes basic social skills, such as the ability to interact with others. The assessment of cognition involves testing the spontaneity of a person and the quality of their communication by asking them to answer open-ended questions or complete standardized short stories. The evaluation of thought content is a process of the examination of a variety of things, including hallucinations that may be visual, auditory or olfactory. illusions of special abilities or status, or even being a target for other people; paranoid thinking; irrational fears or obsessions and compulsions; lack of connection (making no connections between different subjects); and depressive and suicidal thoughts. Diagnostic tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging or blood tests, are usually required to complete an assessment of mental health. These tests can help identify other diseases and disorders that can cause similar symptoms to mental illness. Tests The mental state exam is a method of evaluating a patient by observing and asking questions. Health care professionals observe the patient's behavior and mood, their level of activity, and their general appearance. It could also include a series written or verbal tests, including the standard rating systems used to evaluate symptoms. The MMPI-2 is a standard depression test. There are other tests that can be used to assess anxiety as well as intelligence, and autism. A patient's medical history and physical examination will provide important information that can help determine if their symptoms are due to a psychological disorder or medical condition, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism or addiction to drugs. Certain physical ailments, such as certain types of tumours or selective brain lesions, can present with similar symptoms as mental disorders. These conditions could require laboratory or clinic testing, like blood tests, CT scans, or MRIs, in addition to a complete mental health examination. Psychological testing can be important in mental health tests. It can give valuable information on how the patient thinks and interacts with others, as well as how he recalls information. The results of these tests can aid the health care professional to detect various symptoms, like hallucinations (the perception of a person, object or event that isn't real) or a lack of connection (the tendency to make unrelated connections between different subjects). A psychiatric evaluation may involve questions about the patient’s family history, including psychiatric disorders as well as other illnesses. It will inquire about how long the symptoms have been present, the extent of their effects, and whether they affect daily activities. It will also ask about any previous mental illness the patient has had and the type of treatment they've received in the past. It is important for the patient to be honest about their answers as it will allow the health professional discern the extent of the patient's condition. During the interview the health care professional will also observe how the patient talks and how they interact with other people. mental health assessor will also inquire of the patient about any prescription or non-prescription medications and supplements they take and how they affect their mental health.