Mental Health Evaluation: What to Expect

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Are you new to therapy or want to look into different types of treatment for your recovery? You may have a few questions about the first steps to take? One of them may be about the mental health evaluation, which is a common, yet misunderstood initial step.
 
Yes, it can sound a bit intimidating, but this is a simple way for a psychologist, psychiatrist,  or other healthcare provider to know more about what you are currently going through. So read on to learn more about the mental health evaluation so you know what to expect!

What is a Mental Health Evaluation?

A mental health evaluation is like a psychological assessment. A medical professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or even family doctor, will perform the assessment. 
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The evaluation could involve various components, including:
 
            •           Verbally answering questions
            •           Taking a physical test
            •           Completing  questionnaires
 
This is the first step and initial line of defense when looking for treatment for mental illnesses.  Other evaluation tools may also help professionals gain insight into one's personality.
 
No medical health professional will ever judge you for the results. They plan to work with you to help you understand and manage the symptoms that impact your life.
 
It may be a bit more comforting if you think of it as taking a medical test for a physical illness.  Let’s say, you suffer from physical symptoms. A doctor would order blood tests or X-rays to understand what causes your symptoms and develop a treatment plan for it.
 
Mental health evaluations do the same thing, with mental health professionals utilizing tools and tests to measure and observe behavior. Once they have the results, they will diagnose you and find appropriate treatments accordingly to the specific issues you have.

What Happens During a Mental Health Evaluation?

Mental health evaluations may have different components, such as behavioral observations, checklists, formal questionnaires, interviews, surveys, and more. The depth of the mental health evaluation will depend on the patient and what has to be assessed.
 
Usually, these evaluations take between 20-90 minutes, depending on why you are being evaluated. They can be done in-person or virtually, depending on your situation. Mental health evaluations online are becoming more common. 
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The Types of Mental Health Evaluations

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​To help you get a gist of what to expect from mental health evaluations, here are the different types:
 
       •          Physical exams are done to help determine if you have a physical disorder or neurological issue
       •         Lab tests may be done, such as blood work or a urine test to, again, rule out physical disorders. You might also be asked about medicine, drug, and alcohol use to confirm that the symptoms you experience aren’t side effects
       •       The medical health professional will ask about your mental health history and personal history. They’ll ask how long you’ve been experiencing such symptoms, the medical history of mental health, psychiatric treatments received, as well as personal history and traumas
          •           Mental evaluations will discuss your symptoms in more detail, focusing on your behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. Your healthcare provider will observe how you appear and behave as he/she asks you questions to get more detail
       •       The cognitive evaluation is different from the mental evaluation, with your healthcare provider gauging your ability to recall information, use sound reasoning, and to think clearly. 
         •        Self-evaluations or self-assessments are done to get to know your thoughts, emotions, among other symptoms before getting support. This will help figure out what therapy you need as well as a preferred communication style.
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Mental Health Evaluation Near Me

Mental health evaluations are crucial to help determine what diagnosis you may have and what you need to treat your symptoms. Just make sure that a licensed professional will administer the assessments to get an accurate response and positive result.
 
If you would like to receive a mental health evaluation, do reach out to our office to find out more