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Mental Health Assessment – What Happens If You Are Unhappy With Your Mental Health Assessment? If you have mental health issues it is crucial to seek out help. Mental illness can be as serious as physical illness. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of gender, age or ethnicity, religious belief, political, cultural or social background. APP recognizes the need to fight discrimination. What is a Mental Health Assessment? A mental health assessment is a process used to see how well one is functioning psychologically socially and developmentally. It can also be used to diagnose illnesses such as depression or neurological diseases such as dementia. In the initial assessment, a healthcare professional will interview patients and observe them physically. They might inquire about the patient's symptoms as well as what has been occurring. They can also assess the way in which the person thinks, reason and remembers (cognitive functioning). There are many different tests that can be performed during an assessment. They could be formal standardized tests or informal tests that are not standardized. These tools may include a checklist of problems and a memory test or self report screening tool like the GHQ or MMSE. These tools can either be administered by general practitioners or by mental health professionals. Sometimes, lab tests are necessary to diagnose the presence of a disease. These tests may include blood or urine samples. Most often, these tests are not painful. The only discomfort is caused by the injection of blood which may feel like a tiny pinch or the sensation of stinging. In more serious instances, an MRI scan or EEG might be required. When a healthcare professional performs an assessment, it's essential that they present the most complete picture. This involves taking into consideration the patient's lifestyle, family history and their environment. This information is taken into consideration when deciding on the most appropriate treatment for the patient. What should be done during an assessment for mental health services? The exam should be an opportunity for health professionals to listen and understand the situation for you. It is advisable to use this opportunity to voice your concerns and ask any questions you have. You should be informed enough about the various treatment options to make an informed choice. The staff should greet you with a warm and welcoming manner, with empathy and respect, upon arrival (NICE 2009b). Anyone who wants to sit in solitude or in a group must have a comfortable waiting area. In the course of the mental exam during the mental evaluation, your doctor will inquire with you about your thoughts and feelings, how they affect your daily routine and whether or not you've attempted to manage your symptoms on your own. Your doctor will also watch how you act. They might observe how you speak or if you keep eye contact. They may also test your memory and ability to think by asking you simple questions such as recalling short lists or naming common objects and shapes. If you are under section 2 of the Mental Health Act, your AMHP will be there to guide and support you throughout the assessment. You may bring an individual or a friend to the appointment or opt to have an advocate who is a professional representing your interests and views. They could be professionals like lawyers or charity workers. Many people find it difficult to discuss their emotional well-being with healthcare professionals, particularly in the event of negative experiences in the past. Some children do not realise that changes in their mood and behavior can be a cause of anxiety, whereas others might not know who to for assistance. It is essential that healthcare professionals are aware of the effects of past experiences that were not positive and that they are able to build a trusting relationship. What should I do if I'm unhappy with the results of the test? If you've been assessed under the Mental Health Act and you are not happy with it you can file an appeal to the CQC. For more information, read our guide on how to submit an appeal. Patients who seek mental health services usually have multiple appointments with a range of professionals. It can be difficult to keep track of them all. It is essential to be as honest and open as possible with the person who is evaluating you. If you don't you could give the professional wrong impressions of your health condition and this could affect your care. Mental illness can affect your mood and thinking. It can lead to difficulties with work, relationships, and everyday activities. Some common conditions include depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. You can seek help for mental illness by speaking to your GP, family and friends or going to a local NHS CAMHS service. Getting the proper assessment and treatment is key to improving your mental health. NHS England works hard to ensure that everyone receives proper treatment at the right time. This includes reducing wait times and ensuring that the correct information is available to anyone who needs it. We are also making changes to the way we collect and share information to facilitate this. We want to see all local mental health services able to collect and share data similar to other NHS organisations. This will improve security and quality of care. We want all healthcare providers to have access to accurate and current information in real-time, no matter where they are. This is part of the NHS's commitment to Data Saves Lives, which seeks to eliminate the barriers to efficient sharing of data across the health and social care system. What should I do if I need to get a second opinion about something? If you feel that the health professionals involved in your assessment aren't taking your opinion seriously, there are a few things you can do. You can ask the supervisor of your mental health care for a different professional to review the case with you, or contact one of the NHS helplines to get assistance in your area. If you live in England the NHS offers a service called EIT, which will send an emergency response team to your home. You can also seek advice from local groups of volunteers or charities, such as Mind or Rethink. You might want to seek an additional opinion from a different doctor or medical specialist, or even your GP. This is a good idea if you are unsure about your diagnosis or treatment options or if there's disagreement between doctors on the best option for you. A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that second opinions can provide significant value, with only a small fraction of the cost of a first opinion. The experts can provide new perspectives and insights that could change the course of a patient's treatment. A second opinion is required in the event that your healthcare professional has missed a possible cause of your symptoms. This can be due to a variety of reasons including a mistaken diagnosis or a physician who isn't listening to your story. At Dementech we can organize a private mental health evaluation for you with our psychiatrists. We offer consultations lasting 50 minutes and work with the majority of the major private insurance companies to ensure that psychiatric treatment are covered. However, if you don't have insurance, we are still in a position to provide top quality and affordable care. What should I do if require an opinion from an expert? If you are unhappy with the results of your mental health evaluation and you want an additional opinion, it's possible to request this. It's not a legal right however, doctors are generally willing to help. You can request your GP or the mental health services to make it happen. They should be able give you the contact information for local advocacy services. The doctor will evaluate you and may perform further tests, such as blood tests or an radiograph. The doctor will discuss their findings with you as well as the treatment options available to you. This could include medication, hospitalization, or other options. The doctor should take into account your gender, age, social background, sexual orientation, religion as well as your disability, cultural or religious beliefs when discussing your concerns with you. assessing mental health is beneficial because it allows you to compare medical advice and get an entirely new perspective on your healthcare situation from a different physician. It can give you more confidence in your diagnosis and treatment options and also provide you with more information on possible adverse effects. There could be a strong reason for wanting another opinion. For instance, you may believe that you suffer from an unusual or rare illness and you want another specialist to assess your diagnosis and treatment options. You may have heard about treatments that your doctor does not provide and you want to know if these are suitable for you. A private Psychiatrist will usually visit you within a couple of days and has access to your entire health record. They can also schedule an online video consultation through Skype or Facetime and an official medical report to be sent directly to your GP.