Mental Health Assessment - What Happens If You Are Unhappy With Your Mental Health Assessment?<br /><br />If you suffer from mental health issues it is crucial to seek out help. Mental illness is as serious as physical illness.<br /><br />Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, religious belief, political, social or cultural background. APP recognizes the need to combat discrimination.<br /><br />What is an assessment of mental health?<br /><br />A mental health assessment is an assessment that determines how someone is functioning emotionally, socially and also in the development stage. It can also be used to identify conditions such as depression or neurological diseases like dementia.<br /><br />During an initial assessment the healthcare professional will sit down with a patient and observe them physically. They may ask about the patient's health issues and what's happening. They can also assess how the person thinks, reasons and remembers (cognitive functioning).<br /><br />There are a variety of different tests that can be carried out during an assessment. They could be formal and standardized, or informal and non-standardized. These tools may include a checklist of problems as well as a memory check or a self report screening tool such as the GHQ or MMSE. These tools can be administered by general practitioners or by mental health professionals.<br /><br />Sometimes, patients will require lab tests to help determine if they have a problem. These tests could include blood or urine samples. These tests are typically not painful. The only discomfort may be the injection of the blood sample which could be a little painful or sting. In more severe cases the need for an MRI scan or EEG may be needed.<br /><br />It is essential for a healthcare professional to have the most accurate picture when they conduct an assessment. This includes taking into consideration the history of the patient's relatives and lifestyle as well as the environment they reside in. This information is considered when deciding on the best course of treatment for the patient.<br /><br />What can happen during an assessment at mental health services?<br /><br />The assessment will let healthcare professionals to understand your situation. You should use this time to discuss your concerns and ask any questions you have. You should also be given sufficient information regarding the various treatments, so that you are able to make an informed choice.<br /><br />The staff should greet you in a warm and welcoming manner with respect and empathy at the time of your arrival (NICE 2009b). Anyone who wants to wait alone or in a group should have a comfortable waiting space.<br /><br />During the mental exam Your doctor might ask you questions regarding your thoughts and emotions and how they affect your daily routine, and if you've attempted to manage symptoms by yourself. Your doctor will also observe how you act. For instance, they might examine your speech and whether you are able to make eye contact. They may also test your memory and reasoning abilities by asking you simple questions such as recalling short lists and naming common objects or shapes.<br /><br />If you fall within section 2 of the Mental Health Act, the AMHP will guide and support you through the process of assessing. You can bring along an individual or a friend to your appointment or opt to have an advocate from a professional represent your interests and views. They could be professionals such as lawyers or charity workers.<br /><br />Many people find it difficult to talk about their emotional wellbeing with healthcare professionals, especially if they have had previous negative experiences. Many children are unaware that changes in their mood or behaviour can be a an indication of concern. Some families might not know where they can turn for assistance. It is crucial that all healthcare professionals understand the impact of past poor experiences and strive to establish trust.<br /><br />What should I do if unhappy with the results of the test?<br /><br />If you've been assessed 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 complaints for more details.<br /><br />It can be challenging for those who utilize mental health services to keep their appointments. It is important to be as honest and open as you can with the professional who is assessing you. If you're not, the professional may get a wrong picture of what you're doing and this can affect your care.<br /><br />Mental illness can affect your mood and thinking. It can cause difficulties in relationships, work, and even everyday activities. Depression anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia are all common conditions. You can seek help for a mental illness from your GP as well as your family and friends or by visiting the nearest NHS CAMHS.<br /><br />Getting the right diagnosis and treatment is essential to improving your mental health. NHS England works hard to ensure that everyone receives the right treatment at just the right time. This means reducing the time taken to get treatment and ensuring the right information is available to all who require it. To help with this, we are also changing the way that we record and share information.<br /><br />We want all local mental health services to be able to collect and share data in the same way as other NHS organizations. This will help to improve the quality and safety of treatment. Our aim is to ensure that all providers have access to accurate and up-to-date data in real-time regardless of where they are. <a href="https://www.iampsychiatry.uk/private-mental-health-assessments/">read the article</a> is part the NHS's commitment to Data Saves Lives which aims to reduce the barriers to information sharing across the health and healthcare system.<br /><br />What should I do if I require a second opinion on something?<br /><br />You can take action if you feel that health professionals involved in the assessment of your case do not consider your opinion seriously. You can ask your manager to send another professional out to review your case, or call an NHS helpline within your region for assistance. If you live in England and have a problem, the NHS has a service known as EIT (Emergency Intervention Team) that will send a crisis response team out to your home. You can also seek assistance from local volunteer groups or charities, like Mind or Rethink.<br /><br />You might want to seek a second opinion, either from a medical professional or another physician. Your GP is also able to offer a second opinion. This is a good idea when you are not sure about your diagnosis or treatment options or if there's disagreement between doctors over the best method of treatment.<br /><br />A study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that second opinions provide significant value and are only a tiny fraction of the cost of a first opinion. This is because the experts can provide new perspectives and more information that could alter the course of care for a patient.<br /><br />A second opinion may be required if your doctor or healthcare professional has overlooked a possible cause for your symptoms. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as a misdiagnosis or a doctor who doesn't listen to your story.<br /><br />At Dementech We can arrange a private health assessment for you with our psychiatrists. We offer standard consultations of 50 minutes, and we work with a variety of major private insurance companies to ensure that your treatment for psychiatric issues is covered. If you don't have health insurance, we are able to provide top-quality care at an affordable price.<br /><br />What should I do if require a second opinion from an expert?<br /><br />You are likely to be able to get an appointment for a second opinion if are dissatisfied with your mental health assessment results. It's not an option that is legally protected, but doctors are usually willing to help. You can contact the mental health service or your GP to arrange this. They should be able to provide you details of local advocacy services.<br /><br />The specialist will examine and may perform additional tests, such as blood tests and X-rays. The specialist will discuss their findings with you as well as your treatment options. This could include a hospital stay or other options. The doctor will take into consideration your age, gender and social background, as well as sexual orientation, religion as well as your disability, cultural or religious beliefs when discussing your concerns with you.<br /><br />A second opinion is beneficial as it allows you to compare medical advice and get an updated view of your healthcare situation from a different expert. It will make you feel more confident regarding your diagnosis and treatment options and also provide you more information about the potential side effects of each option.<br /><br /><br /><br />There may be a good reason to want a second opinion. You may be worried that you have an unusual or rare disease and would like to get a second opinion from a specialist regarding the diagnosis and treatment options. You might have read about treatments that your doctor doesn't offer and want to know if these are safe for you.<br /><br />A private Psychiatrist should be able to consult with you within just a few days and will typically have access to all of your medical records. They can also arrange video consultations via Skype, Facetime or a telephone call and send a medical report directly to your GP.<br /><br />