Mental Health Assessment - What Happens If You Are Unhappy With Your Mental Health Assessment?
If you suffer from a mental health problem it is crucial to seek help. Mental illness is as serious as physical disease.
Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of gender, age race, religion, ethnicity or political, social or cultural background. APP acknowledges the need to fight discrimination.
What is a Mental Health Assessment?
A mental health assessment is a process that aims to assess how one is functioning psychologically socially and developmentalally. It can also aid in diagnosing disorders like depression or neurological diseases like dementia.
A healthcare professional will interview the patient and assess their physical condition during an initial assessment. They might also ask questions regarding their symptoms and the difficulties they've gone through. They will also check the way in which the person thinks, reason and remembers (cognitive functioning).
In an assessment, a variety of tests can be conducted. They could be formal and standardized or informal and non-standardized. They may include a problem checklist or a memory test, or self-reporting screening tools such as the GHQ or MMSE. These tools can be administered by general practitioners or mental health professionals.
Sometimes, people require laboratory tests to diagnose a disorder. This could include urine or blood samples. The tests are generally not painful. The only discomfort could be the injection of the blood sample, which could feel like a slight pinch or itching. In more serious instances the need for an MRI or EEG scan could be required.
It is crucial for healthcare professionals to have the most complete picture when they carry out an assessment. This involves taking into consideration the patient's family history, lifestyle, and the surroundings in which they live. This information will be taken into consideration when deciding on the most appropriate treatment for the patient.
What should be done during an assessment in the field of mental health care
The examination is a chance to let health professionals to listen and comprehend your situation. You should use this time to express your concerns and ask any questions you have. You must be aware about the various treatments available to make an informed choice.
Staff should greet you with a warm and welcoming manner with respect and empathy when you arrive (NICE 2009b). People who wish to wait alone or in a group should have a comfortable waiting space.
In the course of your mental health assessment the doctor will ask you questions regarding your thoughts and feelings, how they impact your daily life, and whether you've attempted to manage your symptoms on your own. Your doctor will also observe how you behave. They might be able to examine your speech patterns or if you keep eye contact. They can also test your memory and ability to think by asking you questions that are simple such as recalling short lists or the names of common shapes and objects.
If you fall within section 2 of the Mental Health Act, your AMHP will be there to guide and support you throughout the assessment. You may bring your friend or relative to your appointment or opt to have a professional advocate represent your interests and opinions. They can be professionals, such as lawyers or even charity workers.
Some people find it difficult to discuss their mental health with healthcare professionals, especially if they have had previous negative experiences. Some children don't realize that changes in their mood or behaviour can be a cause for anxiety. Other families may not know where they can turn for help. It is important that healthcare professionals are aware of the effects of their previous experiences and work hard to build a trusting relationship.
What should I do if unhappy with the results of the test?
If you've been referred to under the Mental Health Act and you aren't happy with it you may make an appeal to the CQC. See our guide on making a complaint for more information.
Patients who seek mental health services usually have multiple appointments with various specialists and may find it difficult to keep track of all the appointments. It is crucial to be as open and honest as possible with the person who is evaluating you. If you are not honest, the professional could be able to get a false impression of what you're doing and this could affect your care.
Mental illness can influence your mood and thoughts. best private mental health hospitals uk can cause problems with relationships, work, and everyday activities. Depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia are all common conditions. You can get help for mental illness by speaking to your doctor, family and friends or going to the nearest NHS CAMHS service.
The key to improving mental health is getting the right diagnosis and treatment. NHS England is working hard to ensure that everyone receives the right treatment at the appropriate time. This includes reducing wait times and ensuring the right information is readily available to anyone who requires it. We are also making changes to the way we collect and share information to facilitate this.
We want all local mental health services to be able to record and share data in the same way as other NHS organizations. This will improve security and quality of care. We want all healthcare providers to be able to access accurate and current data in real-time, wherever they are. This is part the NHS's commitment Data Saves Lives which aims to eliminate the obstacles to sharing information across the health and care system.
What do I do if need a second opinion on something?
If you believe that the health professionals involved in your assessment do not take your views seriously, there are some things you can do. You can request your manager to send a different professional to look over your situation or contact an NHS helpline in your area to get help. If you live in England the NHS offers a service called EIT that will send out a crisis response team to your home. You can also seek help from local groups of volunteers or charities, like Mind or Rethink.
You may decide to seek a second opinion from another doctor or medical specialist, or even your GP. You should do this if you're unsure of your diagnosis or treatment options or in the event that your doctors disagree on the best course.
A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that second opinions provide significant value, with only a tiny portion of the cost of a first opinion. The experts can provide new perspectives and information that could change the course of the patient's treatment.
Another reason to seek an additional opinion is that the initial healthcare provider or doctor may have missed a possible cause or effect of your symptoms. This can be due to a variety of reasons including an incorrect diagnosis or a doctor who isn't listening to your concerns.
Dementech can arrange for a private mental assessment with one of our psychiatrists. We offer 50-minute consultations and cooperate with the majority of the major private insurance companies to ensure that psychiatric treatments are covered. However, if you don't have insurance, we are still capable of providing excellent and affordable care.
What should I do if require a second opinion from a specialist?
You should be able to arrange a second opinion if you are dissatisfied with the mental health assessment results. It's not an option that is legally protected however, most doctors are willing to facilitate it. You can ask your GP or the mental health services to make it happen. They should be able give you the contact information for local advocacy services.
The specialist will examine and may perform additional tests, such as blood tests and X-rays. The doctor will discuss the results with you and the options for treatment. This might include medication, hospitalization, or other options. The doctor will take into consideration your age, gender, social background, religious beliefs, sexual orientation and disability as well as cultural or religious beliefs when talking with you.
A second opinion can be useful as it allows you examine the advice of different experts and to gain a new perspective on your health situation. It can make you feel more confident regarding the diagnosis and treatment options and also provide you more details about the possible side effects of each option.
There could be a strong reason for wanting a second opinion. You may be worried that you may have an unusual or rare illness and want an additional opinion from a specialist on your diagnosis and possible treatment options. Perhaps you've seen other treatments your provider doesn't offer and you're wondering whether they're suitable for you.
A private Psychiatrist should be able to see you within several days and will usually have access to your health records. They can also arrange for an online video consultation using Skype or Facetime and an official medical report to be delivered directly to your GP.