Mental Health Assessment - What Happens If You Are Unhappy With Your Mental Health Assessment?<br /><br />If you are suffering from a mental health problem it is crucial to seek assistance. Mental illness is as serious as physical illness.<br /><br />Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of gender, age or ethnicity. APP recognises the need to fight discrimination.<br /><br />What is a Mental Health Assessment?<br /><br />A mental health assessment is a test used to see how well one is functioning psychologically socially and developmentally. It can also help diagnose disorders like depression or neurological diseases such as dementia.<br /><br />In the initial assessment an healthcare professional will interview patients and observe them physically. They might also ask questions about their symptoms or the difficulties they've gone through. They also will assess the way the person thinks, reason and remembers (cognitive functioning).<br /><br />During an assessment, a variety of tests can be conducted. They could be formal standardized tests or informal, non-standardized tests. These tools could include a list of issues as well as a memory check or self report screening tool such as the GHQ or MMSE. These tools may be administered by general practitioners or by mental health professionals.<br /><br />Sometimes, patients will require laboratory tests to identify a condition. This may include blood or urine samples. These tests are usually not painful. The only discomfort is the injection of the blood sample, which could feel like a slight pinch or the sensation of stinging. In more serious instances the need for an MRI scan or EEG could be required.<br /><br />When a healthcare professional is performing an assessment, 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 is taken into consideration when deciding on the most appropriate treatment for the patient.<br /><br />What should happen during an assessment at mental health services?<br /><br />The evaluation is a chance for healthcare professionals listen and understand your situation. It is advisable to use this opportunity to voice your concerns and ask any questions you might have. You should also be given sufficient information regarding the various treatments, to allow you to make an informed decision.<br /><br /><br /><br />You should be welcomed in a warm, friendly and understanding manner by staff on arrival (NICE, 2009b). Anyone who wants to wait alone or in a group need to have a comfortable waiting space.<br /><br />During the mental evaluation the doctor will ask you about your thoughts and feelings, how they affect your day-to-day life and whether or not you've attempted to manage your symptoms by yourself. Your doctor will also observe the way you behave. They might observe how you speak or if you keep eye contact. They will also test you on your reasoning and memory skills by asking simple questions, such as recalling brief lists and naming common shapes or objects.<br /><br />If you fall under section 2 of the Mental Health Act, your AMHP will be there to guide and support you throughout the assessment. You may bring a friend or family member along to your assessment or opt to have an advocate, who can represent your views and interests. They can be professionals like lawyers or even charity workers.<br /><br />Some people find it difficult to discuss their mental health with healthcare professionals, especially when they've had bad experiences in the past. Some children don't realize that changes in their moods or behavior can be a reason for concern. Some families might not know where to go for assistance. It is crucial that all healthcare professionals are aware of the effects of previous poor experiences and that they are able to establish trust.<br /><br />What should I do if am unhappy with the assessment?<br /><br />If you've been referred to under the Mental Health Act and you aren't happy with it you may make an appeal to the CQC. See our guide on making an inquiry for more details.<br /><br />It can be a challenge for those who are dependent on mental health services to keep track of all their appointments. It is important to be as open and honest as you can with the professional who is evaluating your condition. If you're not then the professional could have a different view of what you're doing and this could impact the care you receive.<br /><br />A mental illness is a condition that may affect your mood, thinking and behavior. It can affect your relationships, work and daily activities. Some common conditions include anxiety disorders, depression and schizophrenia. You can get help with a mental illness by talking to your doctor as well as your family and friends or going to a local NHS CAMHS service.<br /><br />Making sure you receive the appropriate assessment and treatment is key to improving your mental health. NHS England works hard to make sure everyone receives the right treatment at just the right time. This includes reducing the time taken to get treatment and ensuring the right information is accessible to everyone who requires it. We are also making adjustments to the method we record and share data to support this.<br /><br />We would like all local mental health services to be able to collect and share data exactly the same way as other NHS organisations. This will help to improve the quality and safety of treatment. We want all providers to be able to access accurate and up-to-date information in real-time, no matter where they are. This is part of the NHS's commitment to Data Saves Lives, which aims to reduce the barriers to a more efficient sharing of data across the health and social care systems.<br /><br />What should happen if I need to seek a second opinion?<br /><br />You can decide to take action if you think that health professionals involved in the assessment of your case do not take your opinions seriously. You can request your manager to send another expert to review your situation or call an NHS helpline within your region for assistance. If you reside in England the NHS provides a service known as EIT, which will send out a crisis response team to your home. You can also contact local voluntary groups, or charitable organizations like Mind or Rethink for advice.<br /><br />You might want to seek another opinion, whether from a medical professional or another doctor. Your GP can also provide an additional opinion. This is a good idea in case you are uncertain about your diagnosis or treatment options or if there's disagreement between your doctors regarding the most appropriate course of action.<br /><br />A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that second opinions offer significant value, with only a tiny fraction of the cost of a first opinion. This is because experts can provide new perspectives and information that can change the course of a patient's care.<br /><br />Another reason to seek an additional opinion is that the original doctor or healthcare professional may have missed a possible reason or cause for your symptoms. This can be due to many reasons, such as misdiagnosis or simply not taking the time to listen attentively to your story.<br /><br />Dementech can arrange for an individual mental assessment with one of our psychiatrists. We offer standard consultations lasting 50 minutes, and we partner with the majority of major private insurance providers to ensure that your psychiatric treatment is covered. If, however, you don't have insurance, we are still able to provide excellent and affordable treatment.<br /><br />What should I do if I need a second opinion from an expert?<br /><br />You can arrange an appointment for a second opinion if are dissatisfied with your mental health assessment results. There is no legal right to it however, doctors will often refuse to do it for you. You can ask your GP or the mental health services to make this happen. They should be able give you the details of local advocacy services.<br /><br />The doctor will evaluate and possibly conduct further tests, such as blood tests and an X-ray. The specialist will discuss their findings with you and the treatment options available to you. This could include medications or hospitalization as well as other options. When talking to you your doctor, the doctor must take into consideration your gender, age, gender and social background, as well as your sexual orientation, disability, religion, cultural or religious beliefs and your sexual orientation.<br /><br />A second opinion is beneficial because it lets you compare medical advice from different experts and to get an unbiased view of your healthcare situation. It will make you feel more comfortable regarding your diagnosis and treatment options and also provide you more details on the potential side effects of each treatment.<br /><br />You might have a very strong reason for wanting another opinion. You may be worried that you have an unusual or rare condition and want an additional opinion from a medical professional regarding your diagnosis and treatment options. You might have read about treatments that your provider does not provide and you want to know if these are safe for you.<br /><br />A private Psychiatrist should be able to see you within a few days and will normally have access to all of your medical records. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-mental-health-assessments/">mental health assessment report</a> can also arrange a video consultation via Skype, Facetime or a phone call and then send the medical report directly to your GP.<br /><br />