Mental Health Assessment - What Happens If You Are Unhappy With Your Mental Health Assessment?
It is important to get assistance if there is problems with your mental health. what is a mental health assessment is as serious as physical disease.
Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of age, gender race, religion, ethnicity or political, cultural or social background. APP recognises the need to fight discrimination.
What is a Mental Health Assessment?
A mental health evaluation is an assessment that determines how an individual is performing emotionally, socially and developmental. It can also be used to identify conditions such as depression and neurological diseases such as dementia.
A healthcare professional will meet with the patient and observe their physical condition in the initial evaluation. They might inquire about the patient's health issues and what has been happening. They can also assess the way in which the person thinks, reasons and remembers (cognitive functioning).
During an assessment various tests are conducted. They could 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 physician, or they can be done by an expert in mental health.
Sometimes, lab tests are necessary to diagnose a disorder. These tests can include urine or blood samples. The tests are generally not painful. The only discomfort may be the injection of the blood sample which may feel like a small pinch or itching. In more serious instances the need for an MRI or EEG scan may be required.
When a healthcare professional conducts an assessment, it's important that they have the most complete picture. This includes taking into account the patient's life style, family history, and their environment. This information is considered when deciding on the best treatment for the patient.
What can happen during an assessment at a mental health facility?
The examination should be an opportunity for health professionals to listen and comprehend what is happening to you. It is advisable to use this opportunity to voice your concerns and ask any questions you might have. You must be aware about the various treatments available to make an informed decision.
Staff should greet you with a warm and welcoming manner with respect and empathy when you arrive (NICE 2009b). A comfortable waiting area should be provided for those who prefer to wait on their own or with a group of people.
During the mental assessment, your doctor may ask you questions about your thoughts and feelings, how they impact your daily routine, and if you've tried to manage symptoms by yourself. Your doctor will also be watching the way you behave. They might be able to be observing your speech or if you maintain eye contact. They can also test your memory and ability to think by asking you simple questions such as recalling short lists or the names of common shapes and objects.
If you fall within section 2 of the Mental Health Act, your AMHP will be there to guide and support you throughout the assessment. You can bring a friend or a relative along to your assessment or opt to have an advocate instead who can represent your views and interests. They could be professionals like lawyers or even charity workers.
Many people find it difficult to discuss their mental health issues with healthcare professionals, especially if they have had previous negative experiences. Many children are unaware that changes in their moods or behaviour could be reason for worry. Others families might not know where to go for help. It is essential that all healthcare professionals comprehend the impact of previous negative experiences and work to establish trust.
What should happen if I am unhappy with the assessment?
If you are dissatisfied with the treatment you received under the Mental Health Act, you can file a complaint with the CQC. Check out our guide on how to make a complaint for more information.
It can be difficult for those who utilize mental healthcare services to keep track of all their appointments. It is essential to try and be as honest and open as you can to the person conducting your assessment. If you don't, you may give the professional a false impression of your condition, and this could impact your treatment.
A mental illness is a condition that can affect your mood, thinking and behaviour. It can cause problems with work, relationships, and everyday activities. The most common disorders are anxiety disorders, depression and schizophrenia. You can get help with mental illness by speaking to your GP as well as your family and friends or visiting the nearest NHS CAMHS service.
The main factor in improving mental health is getting the right assessment and treatment. NHS England is working hard to ensure that everyone receives appropriate treatment at the right time. This includes reducing the time taken to get treatment and ensuring that the correct information is accessible to everyone who needs it. To facilitate this, we are also changing the way that we store and share information.
We would like all local mental health services to be able to record and share data in the same way as other NHS organisations. This will improve safety and the quality of the care. We want all healthcare providers to be able to access accurate and current information in real-time, wherever they are. This is part the NHS's mission Data Saves Lives which aims to reduce the barriers to sharing information across the health and care system.
What should happen if I need to seek a second opinion?
If you feel that the health professionals involved in your assessment aren't taking your opinion seriously, there are things you can do. You can request your manager to send another professional out to review your case or contact an NHS helpline in your area to get help. If you live in England the NHS provides a service known as EIT, which will send an emergency response team to your home. You can also seek advice from local voluntary groups or charities, like Mind or Rethink.
You might want to seek an additional opinion, either by a medical professional or another doctor. Your GP can also offer an additional opinion. This is advisable if you're unsure of your diagnosis or treatment options or in the event that your doctors disagree on the best course.
A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found second opinions to be of great value and cost just a fraction of what a first opinion would have cost. Experts can provide fresh perspectives and insights that could change the course of a patient's treatment.
A second opinion could be necessary in the event that your healthcare professional has overlooked a possible cause for your symptoms. This could be due to a number of reasons, such as misdiagnosis or simply not paying attention attentively to your story.
At Dementech we can arrange a private health assessment for you with our psychiatrists. We provide standard consultations of 50 minutes, and we work with a variety of major private insurance providers to ensure that your treatment for psychiatric issues is covered. If, however, you do not have insurance, we are still able to provide excellent and affordable treatment.
What do I do if need an opinion from an expert?
If you are unhappy with the results of your mental health assessment and want an additional opinion, it's possible to request this. You don't have a legal right to do this however, doctors are very unlikely to refuse to arrange it for you. You can request the mental health services or your GP to arrange this. They should be able to provide you information on local advocacy services.
The doctor will evaluate your body and perform additional tests, such as blood tests and an X-ray. The doctor will discuss their findings with you and the options for treatment. This might include hospitalization or other options. The doctor will take into consideration your age, gender social background, your social background, sexual orientation, religion and disability as well as religious beliefs when speaking with you.
A second opinion can be beneficial as it allows you review the advice of various experts and to gain an entirely new perspective on your health situation. It will make you feel more confident regarding your treatment options and diagnosis and it can also give you more details about the potential side effects of each treatment.
There could be a strong reason for wanting a second opinion. You might be worried that you may have an unusual or rare disease and you'd like to have a second opinion from a specialist regarding your diagnosis and possible treatment options. You may have heard about treatments that your provider does not provide and you are interested in knowing if they are safe for you.
A private Psychiatrist is able to meet with you within a few days and has access to your complete health record. They can also arrange video consultations via Skype, Facetime or a phone call and then send an official medical report directly to your GP.