Mental Health Check Up

Screening for mental health issues can help distinguish normal, age-appropriate concerns from clinical ones. They also help to recognize early signs of anxiety or depression to ensure that treatment is initiated before the issues become serious.

You'll need to set realistic goals for your appointment, like explaining your symptoms, learning an assessment and determining the best treatment plan.

Signs and symptoms

A mental health checkup usually consists of the completion of a questionnaire as well as a physical examination. Doctors may also ask about the past experiences and feelings. It is important to be honest and answer the questions thoroughly. The doctor may note down a person's symptoms and behavior during the examination. They may also ask someone in the family or a close friend for information. It can be helpful to keep a record of their thoughts and emotions during the weeks or days before their appointment. This journal can be brought to the evaluation or given to their doctor to read. It is also an ideal idea to make an inventory of all medications they are taking, which includes over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements.

If you're experiencing mental health issues, it's important to schedule an appointment as soon as you can. It is particularly important to seek help if the symptoms are causing major disruption to everyday life or make it difficult to maintain relationships. If someone has tried to manage symptoms on their own, but failed, they should talk to their doctor about finding specialists or community resources.

It's important to keep in mind that seeking help for mental health issues isn't an indication of weakness. Instead, it's a positive step toward healing. Many people are unaware that mental illness can manifest with physical symptoms. It's important to have regular physical checks to ensure that your doctor can check for any underlying illnesses.

Talkspace articles are written and reviewed by clinical experts (therapists, psychiatrists and other specialists) who are all experienced mental health and wellness contributors. We strive to provide accurate, valuable and objective information. We use trusted third-party sources, and we provide links to them in the text or at the end of every article. This helps readers make informed decisions regarding their health. We also have a team of editorial and medical reviewers to ensure top quality content.

Diagnosis

If you're suffering from a severe cold or headache, you visit your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. But when it comes to mental health issues, a lot of people ignore the symptoms under the rug and believe they will disappear by themselves. A mental health exam can be as important as physical checkup.

During the mental health assessment, you will talk with your doctor or mental health professional about your behavior, feelings and problems. They will ask you about your home and work life, whether you have family members or friends who can help you, and how well you manage stress.

They will want to know if you have had any traumatic events in assess your mental health past, and whether you are a user of alcohol or drugs. They'll also want inquire about your beliefs in religion and the goals you have for yourself in your life.

Your doctor will likely conduct a physical examination and take your medical history in detail. They may also conduct lab tests to rule out physical illnesses, like an imbalance in electrolytes or thyroid disease that could be the cause of your symptoms.

During the interview your doctor will pay attention to your symptoms and watch your body language to determine What Is mental health Assessment kind of disorder may be present. They will also consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine the most appropriate diagnosis.

During a psychiatric evaluation or psychological assessment Your doctor will take into account all of the information provided in order to determine the most effective treatment for you. They will also assist you to find local resources for support. If your doctor suspects that you have an illness that is serious then they will devise a treatment program that could include therapy, medication, or counseling. They may suggest that you attend follow-up appointments to track your progress and see how you react to treatment. If needed, they'll refer you to an expert.

Treatment

Anyone suffering from a mental health problem might benefit from a treatment. A therapist, psychiatrist, or psychologist can provide a variety therapies and medications to treat symptoms. Patients may require treatment if they are unable to perform well in their daily life or are suicidal. Many people are diagnosed with a mental illness following visiting their primary care doctor or a friend or family member refers them to an expert.

A medical check-up could include questions regarding the patient's mood, sleep patterns, appetite, and other indicators that could be indicative of a mental illness. The patient could be asked about his or her past health background. Depending on the severity of the person's symptoms, the doctor may conduct a scan or lab test of the brain to rule out any physical causes.

If a person experiences changes in his or her eating or sleeping habits they could be early signs of depression or an anxiety disorder. Other indicators of mental health disorders are feeling depressed or gloomy, or having thoughts of harming yourself or others. Mood and anxiety disorders can have serious consequences, so it is important to talk about these issues during a health check up.

Psychiatrists have been trained to identify mental disorders and psychological problems. They can prescribe medication and other treatments, and they might recommend a specific way of life or self-care program to manage symptoms. They may also instruct strategies for coping, like yoga and meditation. Some psychiatrists treat children, and some specialize in certain disorders, like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

It is a good idea to schedule mental health checks with the same frequency as physical checksups. Mental health issues can trigger symptoms that are just as severe as physical ailments, and can cause lasting effects on a person's life. The majority of health insurance plans cover mental health care and U.S. laws require that insurance companies do not charge higher coinsurance or copayments for mental health services than they do for other types of services.

Follow-up

Patients with mental health issues must follow appointments with their doctor, just as they would do with a physical examination. However, they also require the support of a network of professionals to help keep their treatment on track. For those suffering from mental illness, this network could include nurses, counselors and psychologists. These professionals should be situated in the same office as the primary physician. Patients will not need to travel across the hospital or to an additional building to visit these providers.

Patients with serious mental illness and chronic medical conditions must be checked up promptly. Research shows that people with a combination of chronic medical and mental problems are more likely to be hospitalized and die than those who have only one illness. Additionally, untreated general medical conditions can trigger psychiatric issues and increase the risk of suicide.

In this regard, the HEDIS measure of a first follow-up visit within 7 days of the discharge from psychiatric care is important. Recent research suggests that patients who receive this kind of follow-up will be more likely to seek outpatient care that includes mental health services. This includes psychotherapy sessions, and assertive community therapy (ACT for schizophrenia).

Adults who have 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 those who don't receive this type of follow-up. This was true for the schizophrenia and depression cohorts. These differences were not statistically significant or small, suggesting that other factors may be at play.

Additionally, those who received a visual self-assessment form that reminded them of their appointment were 9 percentage points more likely to make their follow-up appointment than those who did not. The results of this study, even though not statistically significant suggests that simple strategies could improve the likelihood that patients with mental health issues will attend their follow-up appointments. This is an important step in preventing unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency department visits.