Mental Health Check Up Screening for mental health issues can help distinguish normal, age-appropriate issues from more serious ones. They can also help patients catch early symptoms of anxiety or depression so that treatment can begin before the issue becomes grave. Set realistic goals for your appointment, like describing your symptoms, getting a diagnosis and creating a treatment plan. Symptoms A mental health check-up usually involves a questionnaire and physical examination. Doctors may also ask about past experiences and feelings. Being honest and truthful in answering questions is important. The doctor may take notes about a person's symptoms and behavior during the assessment. book a mental health assessment may even consult a family member for details. A person can find it beneficial to keep a record of their thoughts and feelings during the weeks or days before their appointment. This journal can be taken to the appointment or given to their doctor to read. It is also an excellent idea to create a list of all medications, which includes herbal supplements and other over-the-counter medications. If a person is experiencing mental health problems, they should schedule an appointment with a medical professional as soon as they can. Seeking help is especially important if the symptoms are causing major disruption to your daily routine or make it difficult to maintain relationships. If the patient has tried to manage their symptoms on their own and failed, they should talk with their doctor about locating an expert to assist or a community resource. It's important to keep in mind that seeking help for mental health problems isn't an indication of weakness. Instead, it's an effective step towards healing. Many people are unaware that mental illness may manifest with physical symptoms. It is essential to conduct regular physical examinations, so your doctor can look for any underlying issues. Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health-wellness contributors and vetted by an expert panel of clinicians (therapists and psychiatrists with various specialties). We strive to provide accurate, valuable and objective information. We link to trusted third-party resources within the article text or at the end of each article. This assists readers in making informed health decisions. Our team includes editors and medical experts who ensure that we provide the best quality content. Diagnosis If you are suffering from headaches or colds, you go to your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. When you have mental issues, people tend to brush symptoms under the rug and hope that they will go away by themselves. The reality is that a mental health check up can be as crucial as a physical one. During the examination, you'll talk to your doctor or a mental health professional about your behavior and feelings. They will ask about your work and home life, if you have family members or friends who can be a source of support, and how well you deal with stress. They will ask you whether you've ever been in a difficult situation and if alcohol or drugs are utilized. They will also ask about your beliefs regarding religion, and what goals you're pursuing in life. Your doctor will conduct a thorough medical examination and conduct a physical examination. They may also perform tests in the lab to rule out physical ailments, such as an electrolyte balance or thyroid disease. During the interview your doctor will listen to how you describe your symptoms and observe your body language for clues about what type of disorder you might be suffering from. They will also consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine the appropriate diagnosis. In the course of a psychiatric or psychological evaluation your doctor will review all of the information provided to determine which treatment is appropriate for you. They can also help you locate local resources to support you. If your doctor suspects you have an illness that is serious and is able to confirm it, they will devise a treatment program that may include medication, therapy, or counseling. They may suggest that you attend follow-up appointments in order to monitor your progress and see how you respond to treatment. If necessary, they'll refer you to an expert. Treatment Anyone suffering from a mental health issue might benefit from a treatment. A psychiatrist, therapist, or psychologist can provide a variety therapies and medications to manage symptoms. Patients may require treatment if they are unable to function well in their daily life or are suicidal. Many people are diagnosed with a mental disorder after visiting their primary physician or a family or friend member sends them to specialists. A medical check up may include questions about the patient's mood, sleep, appetite, feelings, and other factors that might suggest a mental health issue. The patient could also be asked about his or her past mental health history. Depending on the severity of the person's symptoms, the doctor may conduct lab tests or scans of the brain to determine if there are any physical causes. Changes in your sleeping or eating habits can be a indication of anxiety or depression. Other signs of mental health issues include feeling depressed or gloomy, or thinking of harming yourself or others. It is crucial to talk about anxiety and mood disorders during a check-up because they can have serious consequences. Psychiatrists are trained for the diagnosis of various psychological disorders and mental illnesses. They can prescribe medications or other treatments, and could recommend a lifestyle or self-care regime to manage symptoms. They can also help you develop coping skills, such as meditation and yoga. Some psychiatrists treat children and some specialize in certain conditions, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. It is recommended to schedule mental health screenings with the same regularity as physical health checkups. The signs of a mental health issue can be just as serious as those of a physical condition and can have lasting impacts on the individual's life. Most health insurance plans cover mental health services, and U.S. laws require that insurance companies don't charge higher coinsurance or copayments for the treatment of psychiatric disorders than they do for other services. Follow-up Mental health patients must follow up with their doctors, just as they would do with physical examinations. They also need the support from a network of professionals who can assist them in staying on track in their treatment. In the case of mental illness, this network may include nurses, counselors and psychologists. The ideal scenario is for these professionals to be located in the same facility or office as the primary medical doctor. The patient will not have to travel across the hospital or a different building to see these providers. People with serious mental illness or chronic medical conditions should be checked up promptly. Research suggests that patients who suffer from a combination of chronic medical and mental health issues have higher rates of hospital admissions and death than those suffering from either condition on their own. Untreated medical conditions that are not treated can cause psychiatric issues and increase the risk for suicide. The HEDIS measure that requires a first follow-up outpatient visit within seven days following the discharge from a psychiatric facility is crucial. Recent research suggests that patients who receive this type of follow-up are more likely to seek outpatient treatment, including mental health services. This includes both medication compliance and psychotherapy sessions, as well as assertive community treatment (ACT, which is a treatment for schizophrenia). Adults who underwent their first outpatient follow-up within seven days of the discharge from a psychiatric hospital were less likely to be hospitalized for any cause in the next six months than adults who didn't receive this type of mental health follow-up. This was true for both schizophrenia and depression groups. These differences were not statistically significant and small, suggesting that other factors may be at play. The patients who received a printed card reminding them of their appointment had an increase of 9 points in attendance, compared to those who did not receive a reminder. While the results of this study weren't statistically significant, the results suggest that simple strategies can improve the chances that patients suffering from mental illness will keep their follow-up appointments. This is an important step to avoid unnecessary admissions and emergency department visits.
