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Psychiatry Blog

Discussing topics like how to find a psychiatrist, psychiatrist vs. counselor, what is psychotherapy, and much more.


​Our blog is meant to provide information and answers to common questions in psychiatry, cognitive behavioral therapy, mental illness, mental health professionals, talk therapy, psychologists, substance abuse, and anything else that would be helpful to those seeking mental health information. Knowing how to find a good psychiatrist, and what a licensed psychiatrist is will help you in your search.

Mental Health Evaluation

9/22/2020

8 Comments

 

Mental Health Evaluation: What to Expect

mental health evaluation psychiatrist Picture

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!
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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. 
​
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. 

The Types of Mental Health Evaluations

​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.

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
8 Comments
Alice Carroll link
4/11/2021 06:30:23 pm

It's interesting to know that physical exams will also be included in mental health assessments in order to look for possible neurological anomalies. A friend of mine is considering to find such counseling services soon because he has been suffering from a lot of anxiety and depressive episodes in the last six months. It took a lot of talks between him and his friend but now he is ready to take the first step in getting professional help.

Reply
Adam Golightly link
5/21/2021 02:06:51 pm

I can see how a business could really benefit from getting their employees medically evaluated in order to be safer. Making sure that the work can be done by a professional could allow them to be more efficient. I liked what you said about how what will happen during it, and the different types.

Reply
John Carston link
11/2/2021 12:00:04 am

It helped when you mentioned that psychiatrists know more about what you are currently going through. A friend of mine mentioned to me last night about having mental health assessment because of depression and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. Thanks to this informative article and I'll be sure to tell him that it will be much better if he consults a trusted psychiatrist as they can answer all his inquiries and will provide proper treatment.

Reply
Mia Evans link
11/12/2021 06:26:51 pm

Thanks for helping me understand that mental health evaluation would like a psychological assessment. As you said, a professional would actually perform the assessment for you. I will share this information with my mom since they might need to take my uncle to a mental health psychologist as soon as possible because he has been affected by the changes in the world for the past year and showing signs of mental instability now.

Reply
Hailey Miller link
11/12/2021 10:43:31 pm

Thanks for pointing out that a medical professional can provide a mental health evaluation and perform an assessment. This is helpful because my husband has been feeling down since last month due to work problems. We are hoping to find psychiatrist services on Monday that can provide treatment to improve his quality of life.

Reply
Kody Scott link
1/14/2022 08:08:28 am

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John Carston link
2/1/2022 09:25:51 pm

I'm glad that you talked about the importance of having someone that can understand you. My brother told me last night that he was going to a mental health consultation because he was depressed, and he asked if I knew what the best course of action would be. Thank you for the information; I'll be sure to tell him that he should get help from a reputable depression treatment center, as they can assist him with his problems.

Reply
mark bill link
2/21/2022 10:42:46 pm

Thanks so much for impacting us with your knowledge and time you spend to do research we appreciate.

Reply



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