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Mental Health Check Up Mental health screenings can help distinguish normal, age-appropriate concerns from more serious ones. They can also assist people to detect early signs of anxiety or depression to ensure that treatment can be initiated before the issue becomes more serious. You'll need to set realistic goals for your appointment, for example, describing your symptoms, getting the diagnosis, and coming up with a treatment plan. Symptoms A mental health check up typically consists of the completion of a questionnaire as well as a physical examination. Doctors may also ask about the past experiences and feelings. It's important to be truthful and be able to answer the questions clearly. The doctor will likely take notes about a person's symptoms and behavior during the examination. They might even consult an individual from the family or a acquaintance for information. A person can find it beneficial to keep a record of their thoughts and feelings throughout the weeks or days prior to their appointment. They can take this journal along to the examination or hand it to their doctor to take a look at. It's also a good idea for them to make a list of all medications, which includes herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines. If a person is experiencing mental health symptoms and is experiencing mental health issues, they should make an appointment with a medical professional immediately. It's especially important to seek help in cases where these symptoms are causing major disruption to the daily life or making it difficult to maintain relationships with other people. If someone has tried to manage their symptoms on their own with no success, they should speak to their doctor about getting a referral for a specialist or seeking out community resources that can help. It's important to keep in mind that seeking assistance for mental health issues isn't a sign of weakness. It's actually a positive step towards healing. triage assessment mental health aren't aware that mental illness can present with physical symptoms. Therefore, it's crucial to have regular physical examinations so that a doctor can determine if there are any underlying conditions that require treatment. Talkspace articles are written and reviewed by clinical experts (therapists, psychiatrists and other specialists) who are all experienced contributors to mental health and wellness. We strive to provide the most reliable, valuable, and objective information possible. We use trusted third-party sources and include links to them in the text or at the end of every article. This helps readers make informed health decisions. Our team includes editors and medical experts who ensure the highest-quality content. Diagnosis If you're suffering from a serious headache or cold, you go to the doctor for an accurate diagnosis. When it comes to mental issues people often brush symptoms under the carpet and believe that they will go away by themselves. The truth is that an annual mental health check-up is just as important as a physical one. During the mental health assessment, you will talk with your physician or mental health professional about your thoughts, behaviors and issues. They will ask you about your work and home life, whether you have family members or friends who can help you and how you manage stress. They will ask if you have ever been in a difficult situation, and whether or not alcohol or other substances are used. They will also inquire about your religion and what goals you're pursuing in life. Your doctor will take a thorough medical history and perform a physical exam. They may also perform tests on your lab to rule out physical ailments, like an electrolyte imbalance or thyroid condition which could be the reason for your symptoms. During the interview the doctor will listen to the way you describe your symptoms, and also observe your body language to find clues about what type of disorder you may be suffering from. They will also refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine the appropriate diagnosis. During a psychiatric evaluation or psychological assessment, your doctor will consider all of the information provided to determine the most effective treatment for you. They will also assist you to locate local resources to support you. If your doctor suspects that you have a serious mental illness and is able to confirm it, they will devise a treatment program which could include medication, therapy, or counseling. They may recommend that you attend follow-up appointments in order to keep track of your progress and see how you respond to treatment. If needed, they'll refer you to a specialist. Treatment A person who suffers from a mental health problem may benefit from treatment. A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist can provide a variety of therapies and medications to help patients manage their symptoms. Someone may require treatment if they are unable to perform well in their everyday life or if suicidal. A lot of people are diagnosed as having a mental disorder after visiting their primary doctor or being directed to the specialist by a family member or friend. A medical check up may include questions about the patient's mood as well as sleep and appetite, as well as feelings and other indicators that could suggest a mental health issue. You can also inquire about the patient's previous mental health history. Depending on the severity of the person's symptoms, the doctor may perform lab tests or scans of the brain to determine if there are any physical causes. If a person notices changes in sleep or eating patterns These could be early signs of depression or an anxiety disorder. Other signs of mental health disorders include feeling depressed or hopeless or having thoughts of harming yourself or others. It is crucial to talk about anxiety and mood disorders during the course of a physical exam because they could be serious and have a negative impact. Psychiatrists are trained to diagnose mental disorders and psychological problems. They are able to prescribe medications and other treatments, and they may recommend a specific way of life or self-care program to treat symptoms. They can also teach coping skills, such as meditation and yoga. Some psychiatrists specialize in treating children, and some specialize in specific disorders, like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. It's a good idea for mental health checkups to be scheduled with the same frequency as physical health checkups. Mental health issues can trigger symptoms that are as severe as physical ailments and may affect the quality of life of a person. The majority of health insurance plans cover mental health services, and U.S. laws require that insurance companies should not charge higher coinsurance or copayments for the treatment of psychiatric disorders than they charge for other services. Follow-up Patients with mental health issues should be following up with their doctors like they would do with physical examinations. They also require support from a team of professionals who can assist them in staying on the right track in their treatment. For patients suffering from mental illness, this network could include nurses, counselors and psychologists. Ideally, these providers can be found in the same office or facility as the primary care physician. The patient will not have to travel across the hospital or an additional building to visit these providers. The need for timely follow-up is particularly crucial for those suffering from comorbid severe mental illness as well as chronic general medical illnesses. Research suggests that people who have a mix of mental and medical health issues have higher rates of hospitalization and death than those suffering from either condition on their own. Untreated medical conditions can cause psychiatric issues and increase the risk for suicide. The HEDIS measure that requires a first follow-up appointment with an outpatient 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 services, including mental health services. This includes both medication compliance and psychotherapy sessions, as well as assertive community treatment (ACT for schizophrenia). Adults who received their first outpatient follow-up within seven days after the discharge of a psychiatric patient were less likely to be hospitalized for any reason over the next six months than those who did not receive this kind of mental health follow-up. This was true for the depression and schizophrenia cohorts. However, the differences were small and not statistically significant, which suggests that there could be other factors at play. In the same way 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 were not. The results of this study, even though not statistically significant, suggest that simple strategies could increase the probability that patients with mental health issues will attend their follow-up appointments. This is a critical step in preventing unnecessary readmissions and emergency department visits.