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Mental Health Check Up Mental health screenings help distinguish between normal issues and clinical. They can also help people to detect early signs of anxiety or depression, to ensure that treatment is initiated before the issues become serious. You'll want to set reasonable goals for your appointment, like explaining your symptoms, learning the diagnosis, and coming up with a treatment plan. Symptoms A mental health check up usually consists of an assessment questionnaire and physical examination. Doctors may also inquire about the person's previous experiences and feelings. It is important to be truthful and respond to the questions in a thorough manner. During the examination the doctor may take notes on a person's behavior and symptoms. private ocd assessment may even request a family or friend member for more information. One might find it useful to keep a diary of their thoughts and feelings in the weeks or days leading up to their appointment. They can bring this journal along to the examination or give it to their doctor to take a look at. It's also an excellent idea to make a list of all medications, which includes herbal supplements and prescription medications. If you're experiencing mental health issues, it's crucial to schedule an appointment as soon as you can. The need for help is particularly crucial in cases where the symptoms cause a significant disruption in everyday life or make it difficult to maintain relationships. If a person has tried to manage their symptoms on their own with no results, they should talk to their physician about getting an appointment with a specialist or seeking out community resources that can aid. It is important to remember that seeking help for mental health issues isn't an indication of weakness. It's actually a step towards healing. Most people aren't aware that mental illness can be accompanied by physical symptoms. Therefore, it's important to undergo regular physical exams to ensure that a doctor is able to examine any underlying issues that need treatment. Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health contributors, and are reviewed by a panel of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists from different specialties). Learn Even more strive to provide accurate, useful and reliable information. We link to trusted third-party resources within the text of each article or at the end of each article. This assists readers in making informed decisions about their health. We also have a team of editors and medical reviewers to ensure the best quality content. Diagnosis If you suffer from headaches or colds, you go to your doctor for a precise diagnosis. However, when it comes to mental health issues, a lot of people brush the symptoms under the rug and hope they will go away by themselves. However, an annual mental health check-up is just as important as a physical one. During the mental health evaluation, you will discuss with your doctor or a mental health professional about your behavior, feelings and issues. They will ask about your work and personal life, whether you have family members or friends who could be a source of support and how well you deal with stress. They will be interested in knowing if you have had any painful experiences in your past, and if you have used alcohol or drugs. They will also ask about your religious beliefs, and what goals you have in life. Your doctor may conduct a thorough medical examination and perform a physical exam. They may also perform tests in the lab to rule out physical illnesses, like an electrolyte imbalance or thyroid condition, as the cause of your symptoms. During the interview the doctor will observe the way you describe your symptoms, and also observe your body language to find clues to determine what disorder you may be suffering from. They will also consult Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine the correct diagnosis. When you undergo a psychiatric exam your doctor will review all of the information provided to determine which treatment is best for you. They will also assist you to locate local resources that can assist you. If your doctor suspects that you have a serious mental illness and is able to confirm it, they will create a treatment plan that may include therapy, medication, or counseling. They will recommend regular appointments to check on your progress and see how you're responding to treatment. If necessary, they'll refer you to an expert. Treatment Treatment can be beneficial to someone who has a mental illness. A psychiatrist, therapist, or psychologist can provide various treatments and medications to help manage symptoms. Patients may require treatment if they are unable to perform well in their everyday life or if they are suicidal. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a mental illness following visiting their primary care doctor or a friend or family member sends them to an expert. A medical exam could include questions regarding the patient's mood and sleep patterns, appetite, feelings, and other factors that might suggest a mental health issue. It is also possible to inquire about the patient's mental health background. The doctor might perform brain scans or laboratory tests depending on the extent and duration of symptoms. Changes in sleeping or eating habits could be an early sign of depression or anxiety. Other indicators of mental health disorders are feeling depressed or gloomy, or thinking of harming yourself or others. The anxiety and mood disorders can have grave consequences, which is why it is important to talk about these issues during a health exam. Psychiatrists are trained to recognize mental disorders and psychological problems. They can prescribe medications or other treatments and may suggest a lifestyle or self-care program to help manage symptoms. They can also teach strategies for coping, like yoga and meditation. Certain psychiatrists specialize in treating children while others are specialists in certain conditions such as Bipolar Disorder or schizophrenia. It is recommended to schedule mental health checkups with the same frequency as physical health checkups. Mental health issues can lead to symptoms that are just as severe as physical ailments, and can have a lasting impact on the quality of life of a person. The majority of health insurance plans cover mental health care and U.S. laws require that insurance companies should not charge higher copayments or coinsurance for mental health services than they do for other types of services. Follow-up As with a physical checkup, mental health patients need to follow up with their medical professionals. They also require support from a network of professionals who can help them stay on track with their treatment. For those suffering from mental illness, this could include psychologists, counselors and nurses. These providers should be located within the same office as the primary doctor. The patient will not have to travel across the hospital or to another building to see these providers. The need for prompt follow-up is especially important for those with comorbid serious mental illness and chronic medical illnesses. Research suggests that people suffering from a combination of chronic mental and medical problems are more likely to be hospitalized and die than those with just one disorder. Untreated medical conditions that are not treated can result in psychiatric disorders and increase the risk of suicide. The HEDIS measure that requires a follow-up appointment with an outpatient within seven days of psychiatric discharge has great importance. Recent research suggests that patients who receive this type of follow-up are more likely to seek outpatient services, including mental health services. This includes psychotherapy sessions, and assertive community therapy (ACT for schizophrenia). Adults who have received their first outpatient mental health follow-up within 7 days of psychiatric discharge are less likely to be hospitalized during the next six months for any reason than those who don't receive this type of follow-up. This was true for both schizophrenia and depression cohorts. These differences were not statistically significant or tiny, suggesting that different factors may be involved. Similarly, those who received a self-assessment card reminding them of their appointment were 9 percentage points more likely to attend their follow-up appointment than those who did not. Although the results of this study weren't statistically significant, the findings suggest that simple strategies can improve the odds that mental health patients will keep their follow-up appointments. This is a critical measure to avoid unnecessary admissions and emergency department visits.