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Mental Health Check Up Screenings for mental health help differentiate between normal concerns and clinical ones. They can also help patients detect early signs of depression or anxiety to ensure that treatment can be initiated before the issue becomes more grave. You'll need to establish reasonable goals for your appointment, for example, explaining your symptoms, learning the diagnosis, and coming up with a treatment plan. Symptoms A mental health check up usually involves a questionnaire and a physical examination. Doctors might also ask about past experiences and feelings. It's important to be truthful and respond to the questions in a thorough manner. The doctor will likely take notes about a person's symptoms and behavior during the examination. They might even ask an individual from the family or a acquaintance for information. It can be helpful to keep a record of their thoughts and feelings throughout the days or weeks prior to their appointment. They can take this journal with them to the evaluation or hand it over to their doctor to read. It can also be an excellent idea to create a list of any medications they take, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. If you're suffering from mental health problems, it's important to make an appointment as soon as possible. It's especially crucial to seek out help in cases where these symptoms are causing major disruption to the daily life or causing difficulties to maintain relationships with other people. If someone tried to manage symptoms by themselves and failed, they should talk to their physician about finding specialists or other resources available to the community. It is important to remember that seeking help with mental health issues isn't a sign weakness. It's actually a positive step toward healing. Many people are unaware that mental illness may manifest with physical symptoms. It's important to have regular physical exams, so that your doctor can check for any underlying illnesses. Talkspace articles are written and reviewed by experts in clinical medicine (therapists, psychiatrists and other specialists) who are all highly experienced contributors to mental health and wellness. We aim to provide the most reliable, valuable, and objective information we can. We link to trusted third-party resources within the text of each article or at the end of each article. This helps readers make informed decisions regarding their health. We also have a team of editorial and medical reviewers to ensure highest quality content. Diagnosis If you're suffering from a serious cold or headache, you visit your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. However, when it comes to mental health issues, many people brush the symptoms under the rug, hoping they will disappear on their own. The reality is that an annual mental health check-up can be just as important as a physical check-up. During the mental health assessment you will talk with your doctor or a mental health professional about your feelings, behavior and issues. They will also ask questions about your work and personal life, particularly if you have family members or friends who are a support system and how you cope with stress. They'll want to know if you have had any painful experiences in the past, as well as whether you are a user of alcohol or drugs. They will also want to hear about your religious beliefs and the goals you have for yourself in your life. Your doctor may take a thorough medical history and perform a physical exam. They may also perform lab tests to rule out physical ailments such as an electrolyte imbalance or thyroid disease, as the cause of your symptoms. During the interview the doctor will observe how you describe your symptoms, and also observe your body language to find clues as to what disorder you may be suffering from. They will also consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine the most appropriate diagnosis. In mental health assessment test of a psychiatric or psychological evaluation, your doctor will consider all of the information provided to determine which treatment is appropriate for you. They will also assist you to locate local resources for help. If your doctor suspects that you suffer from a mental disorder they will develop an action plan that can include therapy, medication, or counseling. They will recommend regular appointments to check on your progress and see how you're responding to treatment. They will also recommend specialists, if required. Treatment Anyone suffering from a mental health problem might benefit from a treatment. A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist can offer many different treatments and medications to help people manage their symptoms. Someone may require treatment if they cannot perform well in their daily life or if they are suicidal. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a mental disorder after visiting their primary care doctor or a relative or family member recommends them to an expert. A medical exam could include questions about the patient's mood and sleep patterns and appetite, as well as feelings and other signs that could indicate a mental health problem. The person might be asked about his or her previous health background. Based on the severity of the symptoms, the doctor may conduct a scan or lab test of the brain to rule out any physical causes. Changes in sleeping or eating habits can be an early indicator of anxiety or depression. Other signs of mental health disorders are feeling depressed or gloomy, or thinking of harming yourself or others. The anxiety and mood disorders can cause serious consequences, so it is essential to talk about these issues during a check up. Psychiatrists are trained for the diagnosis of various psychological issues and mental illnesses. They can prescribe medication or other treatments and may recommend a self-care or lifestyle program to help manage symptoms. They can also help you develop coping skills, such as meditation and yoga. Some psychiatrists treat children, and some specialize in specific conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It is a good idea to schedule mental health screenings to be scheduled at the same frequency as physical health checkups. Mental health issues can cause symptoms that are as serious as physical ailments and can have a lasting impact on the life of an individual. Many health insurance plans provide mental health services. U.S. law requires that insurance companies don't charge higher copayments and coinsurance for psychiatric treatment than other services. Follow-up Like a physical examination patients with mental health issues should follow-up with their medical professionals. They also require the assistance from a professional network who can help them stay in the right direction in their treatment. In the case of mental illness, this group might include counselors, nurses and psychologists. The ideal scenario is for these professionals to be found in the same office or facility as the primary doctor of care. This way, patients do not need to go to a separate facility or another part of the hospital to see them. The need for timely follow-up is especially important for those suffering from comorbid severe mental illness as well as chronic general medical illnesses. Research shows that people with a combination of chronic medical and mental problems are more likely to be hospitalized and die as compared to those who only have one condition. Additionally the untreated medical conditions can trigger psychiatric issues and increase the risk of suicide. In this regard, the HEDIS measure of a first outpatient follow-up visit within seven days of the discharge of a psychiatric patient is crucial. The findings of the study indicate that those who receive this kind of follow-up are much more likely to utilize 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 underwent their first outpatient follow-up within seven days of 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 type of mental health follow-up. adult mental health assessment was true both for the depression and schizophrenia cohorts. These differences were not statistically significant and tiny, suggesting that different factors could be at play. In the same way, those who received a self-assessment card that reminded 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, they suggest that simple strategies can improve the chances that mental health patients will keep their follow-up appointments. This is an important measure to prevent unnecessary emergency department visits and readmissions.