Mental Health Check Up
Screening for mental health issues can help distinguish normal, age-appropriate concerns from clinical ones. They can also allow people to recognize early signs of anxiety or depression so treatment can be commenced before the problems become more serious.
Set realistic goals for your appointment, such as writing down your symptoms, obtaining a diagnosis and creating an action plan.
Signs and symptoms
A mental health checkup typically consists of an assessment questionnaire and physical exam. Doctors may also ask about a person's past experiences and thoughts. Answering questions honestly and completely is important. The doctor may take notes about a person's symptoms and behavior during the examination. They might even ask someone in the family or a close friend for details. One might find it helpful to keep a journal of their thoughts and feelings throughout the days or weeks leading up to their appointment. This journal can be taken to the examination, or it can be handed to the doctor to read. It is also a good idea for them to keep a record of all medications, which includes herbal supplements and other over-the-counter medications.
If someone is suffering from mental health issues or signs, they should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible. It is particularly important to seek assistance if these symptoms are causing major disruption to the daily life or causing difficulties to maintain relationships with other people. If a person has tried to manage their symptoms on their own without success, they should talk to their doctor about getting a referral for an expert or locating community resources that can aid.
It's important to keep in mind that seeking help for mental health issues isn't a sign of weakness. It's actually a positive step towards healing. Many people are unaware that mental illness can present with physical symptoms. It's important to have regular physical exams, so your doctor can look for any underlying illnesses.
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Diagnosis
If you're suffering from a serious headache or cold, visit your doctor and get an accurate diagnosis. When it comes to mental issues, people tend to brush symptoms under the rug and believe that they will disappear on their own. A mental health checkup can be just as crucial as physical.
During the mental health assessment you will talk with your doctor or a mental health professional about your feelings, behavior and issues. They will ask about your home and work life, whether you have family members or friends who can help you and how you handle stress.
They'll be interested to know if have had any traumatic events in your past, and if you have used drugs or alcohol. They will also inquire about your beliefs regarding religion and the goals you are pursuing in your life.
Your doctor might conduct a thorough medical examination and perform a physical exam. They can also conduct tests on the lab to rule physical ailments, such as the balance of electrolytes or thyroid disease.
During the consultation, your doctor will pay attention to your symptoms and examine your body language to determine the type of disorder might be present. They will also refer you to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to identify the appropriate diagnosis.
In the course of a psychiatric or psychological exam your doctor will review all of the information provided to determine what treatment is right for you. They can also help you locate local resources to support you. If your doctor suspects that you have a serious mental illness, he or she will devise a treatment program which could include medication, therapy, or counseling. They may recommend follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and assess how you are responding to treatment. If needed, they'll refer you to a specialist.
Treatment
Someone who is suffering from a mental health issue may benefit from treatment. A psychiatrist, therapist, or psychologist can provide a variety therapies and medications to manage symptoms. Treatment is usually required if a person is not functioning well enough in their daily life or if they are suicidal. Many people are diagnosed as having mental disorders after seeing their primary physician or being referred to a specialist by a friend or relative.
A medical exam may include questions regarding the patient's mood and sleep patterns, appetite, and other factors which could be indicative of a mental illness. The person might also be asked about his or her prior health history. Based on the severity of the symptoms, the doctor may conduct a scan or lab test of the brain to rule out any physical causes.
Changes in sleeping or eating habits could be a warning indication of anxiety or depression. Other indicators of mental health issues include feeling depressed or hopeless or a fear of harming yourself or others. Anxiety and mood problems can have grave consequences, which is why it is important to talk about these issues during a health check-up.
Psychiatrists are trained for the diagnosis of various psychological problems and mental illnesses. They are able to prescribe medications and other treatments, and might recommend a specific lifestyle or self-care regimen to help manage symptoms. They may also teach coping skills, such as meditation and yoga. Some psychiatrists specialize in treating children, and some specialize in certain conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
It is a good idea to schedule mental health checkups with the same regularity as physical checkups. The signs of a mental health problem can be as serious as those of physical ailments, and they can have lasting effects on the individual's life. Most health insurance plans cover mental health care and U.S. laws require that insurance companies should not charge higher copayments or coinsurance for the treatment of psychiatric disorders than they do for other services.
Follow-up
Similar to a physical exam patients suffering from mental illness need to follow up with their medical professionals. However, assessment of mental health require the support of a community of experts to help them stick with their treatment. For patients suffering from mental illness, this group may include nurses, counselors and psychologists. They should be located in the same office as the primary doctor. The patient will not have to travel across the hospital or a different building to see these providers.
People suffering from serious mental illness and chronic medical conditions should be followed up promptly. Research suggests that patients who suffer from a combination of mental and chronic medical health issues are more likely to be in the risk of hospital admissions and death than those suffering from either condition alone. Untreated medical conditions that are not treated can result in psychiatric disorders and increase the risk of suicide.
For this reason, the HEDIS measure of a first follow-up visit within seven days following psychiatric discharge is important. Recent research suggests that those who receive this kind of follow-up will be more likely to seek outpatient services which includes mental health services. This includes medication adherence, psychotherapy sessions, and assertive community therapy (ACT for schizophrenia).
Adults who had their first outpatient mental health follow-up within 7 days after a psychiatric discharge are less likely to be hospitalized in the next six months due to any reason than adults who do not receive this type follow-up. This was the case for both depression and schizophrenia cohorts. These differences were not statistically significant, and tiny, suggesting that different factors could be at play.
In the same way, those who received a visual self-assessment card that reminded them of their appointment were 9 percentage points more likely to make their follow-up appointment than those who were not. While the results of this study weren't statistically significant, the results suggest that simple strategies can increase the chances that patients with mental health issues will keep their appointments. This is a crucial step in preventing unnecessary emergency department visits and readmissions.