Mental Health Assessment - What Happens If You Are Unhappy With Your Mental Health Assessment?
If you are suffering from a mental health problem, it is important to seek out help. Mental illness is just as serious as physical ailments.
Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, religion or social, cultural or political background. APP recognises the need to fight discrimination.
What is an assessment of mental health?
A mental health assessment is a test that aims to assess how one is functioning psychologically socially and developmentalally. It can also be used to diagnose illnesses such as depression or neurological diseases like dementia.
A healthcare professional will interview the patient and observe their physical state in the initial evaluation. They might inquire about the patient's symptoms as well as what's been happening. They also will assess the way the person thinks, reasons and remembers (cognitive functioning).
When assessing, a variety of tests can be administered. These can be formal and standardized, or informal and non-standardized. They could include a problem checklist or a memory test, or self-report screening tools such as the GHQ or MMSE. These tools can be administered by a general practitioner, or they can be performed by a mental health professional.
Sometimes, patients will require tests in the lab to diagnose a disorder. These tests can include urine or blood samples. These tests are usually not painful. The only discomfort could be caused by the injection of blood, that may feel like a small pinch or the sensation of stinging. In more serious cases it is possible that an MRI or EEG scan might be required.
When a healthcare professional conducts an examination, it is important that they have the most complete picture. This involves taking into consideration the patient's lifestyle, family history and their environment. This information will be taken into consideration when deciding on the best treatment option for the patient.
What can happen during an assessment at a mental health facility?
The examination is a chance for healthcare professionals listen and understand your situation. It is important that you take this opportunity to share your concerns and ask questions. You must be aware about the various treatments available to make an educated decision.
You should be welcomed with a warm, welcoming and compassionate manner by staff on arrival (NICE, 2009b). People who wish to sit in solitude or in a group need to have a comfortable waiting area.
During the mental evaluation, your doctor will ask you about your thoughts and feelings, and how they impact your daily life, and whether or not you've attempted to manage your symptoms on your own. Your doctor will also look at your behavior. For example, they may examine your speech and whether you are able to make eye contact. They may also test you on your reasoning and memory skills by asking simple questions like recalling short lists and naming common shapes and objects.
If you fall under section 2 of the Mental Health Act, your AMHP will support and guide you throughout the process of assessing you. You can bring along a relative or friend to your appointment or opt to have an advocate from a professional represent your interests and opinions. They could be volunteers like charity workers or professionals such as lawyers.
Many people find it difficult to talk about their mental health with health professionals, particularly when they have had negative experiences. Children may not realize that changes in their mood and behavior are cause for worry, and others may not know who to for help. It is crucial that healthcare professionals are aware of the impact of previous poor experiences and that they are able to establish a trusting relationship.
What should I do if I'm unhappy with the results of the test?
If you are dissatisfied with the diagnosis you received under the Mental Health Act, you can file a complaint with the CQC. Learn more about how to make an inquiry for more details.
People who utilize mental health services typically have multiple appointments with a variety of specialists and may find it difficult to keep track of them all. It is important to be as honest and open as you can with the professional who is assessing you. If you're not honest, the professional could be able to get a false impression of your performance and this could affect your care.
A mental illness is a condition that may influence your mood, thinking and behavior. It can lead to problems with work, relationships and day-to-day activities. Depression anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia are all common conditions. You can get support for a mental illness from your GP or family members, as well as by visiting an NHS local CAMHS.
The most important factor in improving mental health is to get the right assessment and treatment. NHS England is working hard to ensure that everyone receives the right treatment at the appropriate time. This includes reducing the time taken to get treatment and ensuring that the right information is accessible to everyone who needs it. To support this, we are changing the way that we record and share information.
We want to see all local mental health services able to record and share data the same as other NHS organisations. This will help to improve safety and quality of the care. Our aim is for all providers to have access to current and accurate information, in real-time, no matter where they are. This is part the NHS's commitment to Data Saves Lives which aims at reducing the barriers to sharing information across the health and healthcare system.
What do I do if need a second opinion on something?
If you believe that the health professionals involved in your assessment aren't taking your views seriously, there are things you can do. You can ask the supervisor of your mental health services to have a different doctor review the case with you, or you could contact one of the NHS helplines for assistance in your region. If you reside in England the NHS offers a service called EIT, which will send an emergency response team to your home. You can also contact local volunteer groups, or charities like Mind or Rethink for advice.
You might want to seek another opinion, whether from a medical professional or another physician. Your GP can also provide a second opinion. It is recommended to do this if you're unsure of your diagnosis or treatment options or in the event that your doctors disagree on the best option for you.
A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that second opinions offer significant value and are only a fraction of the cost of the first opinion. Experts can provide fresh perspectives and information that could alter the course of the patient's treatment.
Another reason for seeking a second opinion is that the original healthcare provider or doctor may have overlooked a possible reason or cause for your symptoms. This could be due to a variety of causes like an incorrect diagnosis or a doctor who does not listen to your personal story.
Dementech can arrange for an individual mental assessment with one of our psychiatrists. We offer standard consultations of 50 minutes, and we work with a variety of major private insurance companies to ensure that your mental health treatment is covered. If, however, you do not have insurance, we're able to provide excellent and affordable care.
What should happen if I require a second opinion from a specialist?
If you are unhappy with the results of your mental health assessment and would like to seek a second opinion, it should be possible to arrange this. There is no legal right to do this however, doctors are very unlikely to refuse to make it happen for you. You can ask the mental health services or your GP to arrange this. They should be able to give you the details of local advocacy services.
The specialist will examine you and may do further tests, including blood tests or an X-ray. They will then inform you about their findings and talk about the options for treatment. This could include medication or hospitalization, as well as other options. The doctor will take into consideration your age, gender and social background, as well as sexual orientation, religion, disability and cultural or religious beliefs when speaking with you.
A second opinion is useful because it allows you to compare medical advice and get an entirely new perspective on your medical situation from a different physician. It will give you more confidence in your diagnosis and treatment options, and can provide more details about possible adverse effects.
There could be a compelling reason to seek a second opinion. For instance, you may believe that you suffer from an unusual or rare illness and you want another specialist to assess the diagnosis and treatment options. You might have read about treatments your doctor doesn't offer and want to know if these are safe for you.
A private Psychiatrist will usually see you within a couple of days and has access to your entire health history. They can also arrange for an online video consultation via Skype or Facetime and an official medical report to be directly sent to your GP.