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 just as serious as physical ailments.
Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, religion or political, cultural or social background. book a mental health assessment recognises the need to fight discrimination.
What is a Mental Health Assessment?
A mental health evaluation is an assessment that determines how someone is functioning psychologically, socially, and developmental. It also helps diagnose disorders like depression or neurological diseases such as dementia.
In the initial assessment, a healthcare professional will sit down with patients and observe them physically. They may also ask questions regarding their symptoms and the difficulties they've gone through. They will also test the person's ability to think and reason as well as recall (cognitive function).
During 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 checklist of problems and a memory test or self report screening tool like the GHQ or MMSE. These tools can be administered by a general practitioner, or they can be done by an expert in mental health.
Sometimes, patients will require lab tests to help determine if they have a problem. These tests can include blood or urine samples. Usually the tests aren't painful. The only discomfort could be caused by the injection of blood which can be felt as a small pinch or sting. In more serious instances it is possible that an MRI or EEG scan might be required.
It is essential for healthcare professionals to have the most accurate picture when conducting an assessment. This includes taking into consideration the history of the patient's family, lifestyle, and the surroundings in which they live. This information is considered when deciding on the best treatment for the patient.
What should be done during an assessment in mental health services?
The examination should be a time for healthcare professionals to listen and understand the situation for you. You should use this time to discuss your concerns and ask any questions you might have. You should also be given enough information about different treatments, so that you are able to make an informed choice.
The staff should greet you in a warm and friendly manner with respect and empathy when you arrive (NICE 2009b). A comfortable waiting area should be made available for use by people who prefer to wait on their own or with a group of people.
During the mental assessment during the mental evaluation, your doctor will inquire with you about your thoughts and emotions, how they impact your daily routine and whether or not you've tried to manage your symptoms on your own. Your doctor will also observe how you behave. They might examine your speech patterns or if you maintain eye contact. They can also test your memory and ability to think by asking you simple questions, like recalling short lists or naming common shapes and objects.
If you fall under section 2 of the Mental Health Act, your AMHP will assist and guide you throughout the assessment. You can bring along a relative or friend to the appointment or opt to have an advocate who is a professional representing your interests and views. They can be volunteers, such as charity workers or professionals, like lawyers.
Some people find it hard to discuss their mental health with healthcare professionals, particularly in the event of negative experiences in the past. Many children are unaware that changes in their moods or behavior can be a cause for worry. Some families might not know where to turn for help. It is vital that healthcare professionals are aware of the impact of past poor experiences and work to build trust.
What should happen if I am unhappy with the assessment?
If you've been assessed under the Mental Health Act and you aren't happy with it, you can make a complaint to the CQC. For more details, follow our guide on how to file an appeal.
People who use mental health services usually have many different appointments with various professionals and may find it difficult to keep track of them all. It is important to be as honest and transparent as possible with the person who is assessing your condition. If you don't then the professional could be able to get a false impression of what you're doing and this could impact your care.
A mental illness is a condition that may influence your mood, thinking and behaviour. It can cause difficulties with relationships, work and everyday activities. Depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia are all common conditions. You can get help for mental illness from your doctor as well as your family and friends or by visiting the nearest NHS CAMHS.
Making sure you receive the appropriate diagnosis and treatment is essential to improving your mental health. NHS England works hard to ensure that everyone receives the right treatment at just the right time. This includes reducing wait times and ensuring that the right information is available to anyone who needs it. We are also making changes to the way we collect and share data to support this.
We want all local mental health services to be able to record and share data exactly the same way as other NHS organizations. This will improve security and quality of the care. Our goal is that all providers have access to up-to-date and accurate information, in real-time regardless of where they are. This is part the NHS's commitment Data Saves Lives which aims to reduce the barriers to sharing information across the health and care system.
What should I do if would like to get to get a second opinion?
If you believe that the health professionals who participated in your assessment don't take your concerns seriously, there are things you can do. You could ask the manager of your mental health care to have a different doctor discuss the situation with you, or contact one of the NHS helplines for assistance in your region. If you live in England the NHS offers a service called EIT which sends an emergency response team to your home. You can also contact local volunteer groups, or charitable organizations like Mind or Rethink for advice.
You may want to get another opinion, whether from a medical professional or another doctor. Your GP is also able to provide an additional opinion. This is a great idea if you are unsure about your diagnosis or treatment options, or if there is a disagreement between the doctors regarding the most appropriate option for you.
A study published in American Journal of Medicine found second opinions to be of significant value and costing a fraction of what the first opinion would have been. This is because experts can provide new perspectives and more information that can change the course of care for a patient.
A second opinion could be necessary in the event that your healthcare professional has missed a possible cause of your symptoms. This could be due to various reasons, such as misdiagnosis or simply not taking the time to listen attentively to your story.
Dementech can arrange for an appointment for a private mental evaluation with one of our psychiatrists. We provide standard consultations of 50 minutes, and we partner with the majority of major private insurance companies to ensure that your treatment for psychiatric issues is covered. If, however, you do not have insurance, we are still capable of providing excellent and affordable care.
What should I do if I require a second opinion from a specialist?
You can arrange an appointment for a second opinion if are dissatisfied with the mental health assessment results. You don't have a legal right to do this, but doctors will rarely 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 do further tests, for example blood tests or an radiograph. The specialist will discuss their findings with you as well as your treatment options. This might include a hospital stay or other options. The doctor should take into account your age, gender and social background, as well as sexual orientation, religion and disability as well as religious beliefs when speaking with you.
A second opinion is beneficial because it allows you to compare medical advice and get a fresh view of your healthcare situation from a different physician. It can help you gain confidence in your diagnosis and treatment options, and can provide more details about possible adverse effects.
You may have a strong reason for wanting a second opinion. You may be worried that you suffer from an unusual or rare disease and want a second opinion from a specialist on the diagnosis and treatment options. You might have read about treatments that your doctor does not provide and you are interested in knowing if they are suitable for you.
A private Psychiatrist can usually meet with you within a few days and can access your complete health record. They can also schedule an online video consultation via Skype or Facetime and a medical report to be sent directly to your GP.