Mental Health Check Up
Mental health screenings can help distinguish between normal issues and clinical. They can also help patients recognize early signs of depression or anxiety to ensure that treatment can be initiated before the problem becomes more grave.
Set realistic goals for your appointment, for example, describing your symptoms, getting an accurate diagnosis and establishing your treatment plan.
Signs and symptoms
A mental health check up usually consists of an assessment questionnaire and physical exam. Doctors may also ask about a person's past experiences and feelings. Being honest and complete in answering questions is crucial. During the exam the doctor will likely keep a record of a patient's behavior and symptoms. They may even request a family member or acquaintance for information. It is helpful for a person to keep a record of their thoughts and feelings during the weeks or days prior to their appointment. This journal can be brought to the appointment or handed to the doctor for reading. It can also be an excellent idea to create the list of any medicines they are taking, including herbal supplements and prescription drugs.
If you are experiencing mental health problems, it's important to schedule an appointment immediately. It is especially crucial to seek out help in cases where these symptoms are causing significant disruption in one's everyday life or causing difficulty to maintain relationships with other people. If someone has tried to manage their symptoms by themselves and failed, they should speak with their doctor about locating an expert to assist or community resources.
It's important to remember that seeking help for mental health issues isn't an indication of weakness. It's actually a positive step toward healing. Many people are unaware that mental illness can present with physical symptoms. Therefore, it's crucial to undergo regular physical exams to allow a doctor to examine any underlying issues that need treatment.
Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health contributors, and are reviewed by an expert panel of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists of various specialties). We strive to provide the most reliable, valuable, and reliable information that is possible. We rely on trusted third-party sources, and we provide links to them in the text or at the bottom of every article. This helps readers make informed decisions about their health. We have a team that includes editorial and medical reviewers who ensure the highest quality content.
Diagnosis
If you're suffering from a serious headache or cold, go to the doctor for an accurate diagnosis. However, when it comes down to mental health issues, a lot of people simply brush them under the rug, hoping they will go away on their own. The truth is that a mental health check up is just as important as a physical check-up.
During the examination you'll be able to talk with your doctor or mental health professional about your behavior and feelings. They will also ask you questions about your work and personal life, if you have relatives or friends who are an important support system, and how you cope with stress.
They will be interested to know if have had any traumatic events in the past, and if you use drugs or alcohol. They will also want to hear about your religious beliefs and the goals you have for yourself in life.
Your doctor will likely perform an examination of your body and take an extensive medical history. They can also conduct lab tests to rule physical ailments like an electrolyte imbalance or thyroid disease.
During the consultation, your doctor will listen closely to your symptoms and examine your body language in order to determine what type of disorder might be present. They will also consult Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine the appropriate diagnosis.
During the psychiatric or psychological exam the doctor will take into consideration all of the information provided to decide what kind of treatment is appropriate for you. They will also help you locate local support. If your doctor suspects that you have a serious mental illness then they will develop a treatment plan which could include therapy, medication, or counseling. They will suggest that you attend follow-up appointments in order to track your progress and to see how you react to treatment. They will also recommend specialists, if required.
Treatment
Someone who is suffering from a mental health issue may benefit from treatment. A psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist may provide various treatments and medications that can help patients manage their symptoms. A person may need treatment if they are unable to function well in their daily life or are suicidal. Many people are diagnosed with having mental illness after seeing their primary doctor or being recommended to an expert by a relative or friend.
A medical check-up could include questions about the patient's mood, sleep, appetite, feelings, and other indicators that could indicate a mental health problem. You can also inquire about the person's past mental health history. Based on the severity of the symptoms, the doctor might conduct a scan or lab test of the brain to rule out any physical causes.
If a person notices changes in eating or sleeping habits they could be early signs of depression or an anxiety disorder. Other signs of a mental health problem include a loss of enthusiasm for activities, feeling sad or hopeless, or having thoughts about harming yourself or others. Anxiety and mood disorders can have serious harm, so it is essential to talk about these concerns during a health exam.
Psychiatrists are trained to make the diagnosis of various psychological problems and mental illnesses. They can prescribe medication and other treatments, and they might suggest a particular routine of self-care or a lifestyle to help manage symptoms. They may also instruct coping techniques, such as yoga and meditation. Some psychiatrists specialize in treating children, and some specialize in certain conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
It is recommended to schedule mental health checkups with the same regularity as physical checksups. The signs of a mental health problem can be just as grave as those resulting from physical ailments and can have lasting effects on the life of a person. Most health insurance plans cover mental health services, and U.S. laws require that insurance companies do not charge higher coinsurance or copayments for psychiatric services than they charge for other services.
Follow-up
Patients with mental health problems should follow up with their physicians, just as they would with physical examinations. But they also need the support of a network of experts to help them adhere to their treatment. In the case mental illness, this might include counselors, psychologists and nurses. These providers should be located within the same office as the primary doctor. This means that the patient does not need to travel to a separate building or different part of the hospital to see them.
The need for prompt monitoring is particularly important for people with comorbid serious mental illness as well as chronic general medical illnesses. Research has shown that those with a combination of chronic medical and mental problems are more likely to be hospitalized and eventually die as compared to those who only have one disorder. Additionally mental health evaluation can cause psychiatric symptoms and increase the likelihood of suicide.
In this regard, the HEDIS measure of a first outpatient follow-up visit within seven days following the discharge from psychiatric care is important. The findings of the study indicate that those who receive this kind of follow-up are much more likely to use outpatient services, which includes mental health care. This includes both medication compliance and psychotherapy sessions, as well as assertive community treatment (ACT, which is a treatment for schizophrenia).
Adults who underwent their first outpatient follow-up within seven days of the discharge from a psychiatric hospital were less likely to be hospitalized due to any reason in the following six months than those who did not receive this kind of mental health follow-up. This was true for both schizophrenia and depression cohorts. However, these differences were small and not statistically significant, suggesting that there could be other factors in play.
Similarly those who received a visual self-assessment form that reminded 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, while not statistically significant in nature it suggests that simple methods could improve the likelihood that patients with mental health issues attend their follow-up appointments. This is a crucial step to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency department visits.