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Mental Health Assessment - What Happens If You Are Unhappy With Your Mental Health Assessment?
If you suffer from a mental health problem it is essential to seek help. Mental illness is as serious as physical disease.
Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity regardless of gender, age or ethnicity, religious belief, political, cultural or social background. APP recognizes the need to combat discrimination.
What is an assessment of mental health?
A mental health assessment is an examination that determines the extent to which people are functioning socially, psychologically, and developmental. It also helps diagnose conditions like depression or neurological diseases like dementia.
In the initial assessment the healthcare professional will sit down with a patient and observe them physically. They might also ask questions about their symptoms and what they have been going through. They will also check the way the person thinks, reason and remembers (cognitive functioning).
In an assessment there are a variety of tests that can be conducted. They can be formal and standardized, or informal and non-standardized. They could include a problem checklist as well as a memory test. self-reporting screening tools like the GHQ or MMSE. These tools can be administered by general practitioners or by mental health professionals.
Sometimes, lab tests are required to diagnose an illness. These tests may include blood or urine samples. Usually the tests aren't painful. The only discomfort is caused by the injection of blood, which can be felt as a small pinch or itching. In more severe instances it is possible that an MRI scan or EEG might be required.
It is important for a healthcare professional to have the most complete picture when they carry out an assessment. This includes taking into consideration the history of the patient's family, lifestyle, and the environment in which they live. This information will be taken into consideration when deciding on the most appropriate course of treatment for the patient.
What can happen during an assessment at a mental health service?
The assessment is a chance for healthcare professionals to listen and comprehend the situation for you. You should use this time to discuss your concerns and ask any questions you might have. It is also important to be provided with sufficient information regarding the various treatments, to allow you to make an informed decision.
Staff should greet you in a warm and welcoming manner with respect and empathy, upon arrival (NICE 2009b). Individuals who want to wait on their own or in a group must have a comfortable waiting area.
During the mental evaluation, your doctor will ask you about your thoughts and feelings, how they affect your daily routine and whether or not you've attempted to manage your symptoms on your own. Your doctor will also observe your behavior. They may be observing your speech or if you maintain eye contact. They may also test you on your reasoning and memory skills by asking questions such as recalling short lists and naming common shapes and objects.
If you fall within section 2 of Mental Health Act, the AMHP will assist and guide you through the process of assessing. You may bring an individual or a friend to the appointment or opt to have a professional advocate represent your interests and views. They can be professionals, such as lawyers or charity workers.
Some people have difficulty to talk about their mental health issues with health professionals, particularly if they have had previous negative experiences. Many children are unaware that changes in their moods or behavior can be a an indication of worry. Other families may not know where they can turn for assistance. It is vital that all healthcare professionals comprehend the impact of past poor experiences and strive to establish trust.
What should I do if I'm not satisfied with the assessment?
If you are dissatisfied with the treatment you received under the Mental Health Act, you can file a complaint with the CQC. Check out our guide on how to make complaints for more details.
People who use mental health services often have a lot of different appointments with a range of professionals and may find it difficult to keep track of them all. It is important to be as honest and transparent as you can with the professional who is assessing your condition. If you do not you could give the doctor an inaccurate impression of your condition and this could impact the care you receive.
A mental illness is a condition that can alter your mood, thoughts and behaviour. It can cause problems with work, relationships and day-to-day activities. Some common conditions include depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. You can get help for mental illness by speaking to your doctor or family members and friends, or going to an NHS local CAMHS service.
The main factor in improving mental health is getting the right assessment and treatment. NHS England works hard to ensure that everyone receives appropriate treatment at the right time. This includes reducing the time taken to get treatment and ensuring that the right information is accessible to everyone who needs it. We are also making changes to the way we record and share data to support this.
We want all local mental health services to be able to record and share data in the same manner as other NHS organizations. This will improve the safety of patients and improve the quality of treatment. We want all providers to have access accurate and up-to-date information in real-time, wherever they are. This is part of the NHS's commitment to Data Saves Lives, which is designed to remove the barriers to effective sharing of data across the health and social care system.
What should happen if I need to seek a second opinion?
If you think that the health professionals involved in your assessment don't take your views seriously, there are a few things you can do. You can ask the supervisor of your mental health services to have a different doctor examine the situation with you, or you could contact one of the NHS helplines to get assistance in your area. If you live in England the NHS provides a service known as EIT, which will send an emergency response team to your home. You can also seek advice from local voluntary groups or charities, like Mind or Rethink.
You may decide to seek a second opinion from another doctor or medical specialist, or even from your GP. You should do this if you're unsure of your diagnosis or treatment options or if the doctors disagree about the best treatment option.
A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that second opinions provide significant value, with only a small fraction of the cost of a first opinion. The experts can provide new perspectives and information that could change the course of a patient's treatment.
Another reason to seek an additional opinion is that the initial healthcare provider or doctor may have missed a potential cause or impact of your symptoms. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as an incorrect diagnosis or a doctor who isn't listening to your personal story.
At Dementech, we can arrange a private mental health assessment for you with our psychiatrists. We offer consultations lasting 50 minutes and collaborate with a majority of major private insurance companies to ensure that psychiatric treatments are covered. If you don't have health insurance, we will provide excellent care at a reasonable cost.
What should I do if I require an additional opinion from an expert?
If you are dissatisfied with the results of your mental health assessment and want to seek a second opinion, it's possible to arrange this. You don't have a legal right to it however, doctors will often refuse to do it for you. You can ask your GP or the mental health services to help make this happen. They should be able to give you information about local advocacy services.
The doctor will examine you and may perform further tests, such as blood tests and a scan. They will then inform you about their findings and talk about the options available for treatment. This might include medication, hospitalization, or other options. When talking to you, the doctor should take into consideration your age, gender and social background, as along with your sexual preference or disability, religion, cultural or religious beliefs and your sexual preference.
A second opinion is beneficial because it lets you compare medical advice from different experts and gain a new perspective on your medical situation. It can help you gain confidence in your diagnosis and treatment options and also provide you with more information about potential side effects.
You may have a compelling reason to seek a second opinion. For instance, you may suspect that you have an uncommon or rare condition and would like a second opinion from a specialist to weigh in on your diagnosis and treatment options. You may have read about treatments that your doctor does not provide and you are interested in knowing if they are safe for you.
A private Psychiatrist is able to visit you within a couple of days and have access to your entire health history. They can also schedule video consultations via Skype, Facetime or a phone call and then send the medical report directly to your GP.
