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Mental Health Check Up Mental health screenings help distinguish between common issues and clinical. They can also allow people to catch early symptoms of depression or anxiety, to ensure that treatment is initiated before the problems become more grave. Set realistic goals for your visit, such as describing your symptoms, getting an assessment and developing an action plan. Signs and symptoms A mental health checkup usually consists of a questionnaire and a physical exam. Doctors may also inquire about a person's past experiences and emotions. Being honest and truthful in answering questions is important. During the examination the doctor may take notes on a person's behavior and symptoms. They might even request someone in the family or a close friend for details. It is helpful to keep a journal of their thoughts and feelings in the days or weeks prior to their appointment. This journal can be brought to the evaluation, or it can be given to their doctor to be read by their. It is also a good idea for them to create a list of all medications, including herbal supplements and over-the-counter medicines. If you're suffering from mental health issues, it's essential to make an appointment immediately. The need for help is particularly crucial if the symptoms are causing an extreme disruption to everyday life or make it difficult to maintain relationships. If a person has tried to manage their symptoms on their own with no results, they should talk to their physician about getting an appointment with an expert or locating community resources that can help. It's important to keep in mind that seeking help for mental health problems isn't a sign of weakness. Instead, it's a positive step toward healing. Many people are unaware that mental illness can manifest with physical symptoms. It is important to keep up with regular physical examinations to ensure that your doctor can check for any underlying illnesses. Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health contributors and reviewed by an expert panel of clinical experts (therapists and psychiatrists with different specialties). We strive to provide accurate, valuable and reliable information. We link to trusted third-party sources in the text of each article or at the end of each article. This assists readers in making informed decisions regarding their health. We have a team that includes medical and editorial reviewers who ensure that we provide the best quality content. Diagnosis When you have a bad headache or cold, you visit your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. However, when it comes down to mental health issues, a lot of people simply brush them under the rug and hope they will go away on their own. The truth is that an annual mental health check-up can be as crucial as a physical one. During the mental health assessment, you will talk with your doctor or a mental health professional about your feelings, behavior and problems. They will ask about your home and work life, whether you have family members or friends who can help you and how you manage stress. They will ask whether you've ever been in a stressful circumstance and whether or not alcohol or other substances are used. They will also inquire about your religion and the goals you're pursuing in life. Your doctor may conduct a thorough medical history and conduct a physical examination. They may also perform tests on the lab to rule physical ailments, such as an electrolyte imbalance or thyroid disease. During the interview the doctor will listen to the way you describe your symptoms and observe your body language to find clues as to what disorder you may be suffering from. They will also consult Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine the appropriate diagnosis. When you undergo a psychiatric evaluation the doctor will take into consideration all of the information provided to determine which treatment is right for you. They will also assist you to locate local resources for help. If your doctor thinks you have a mental illness they will create plans for treatment that may include medication, therapy or counseling. They may recommend follow-up appointments to monitor your progress and determine how you're responding to treatment. They may also recommend a specialist, if necessary. Treatment Treatment is beneficial for someone who has a mental illness. A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist can provide many different treatments and medications to help patients manage their symptoms. Patients may require treatment if they cannot perform well in their daily life or are suicidal. Many sufferers are diagnosed with a mental illness after visiting their primary physician or a relative or family member recommends them to an expert. A medical check-up could include questions regarding the patient's mood and sleep patterns and appetite, as well as feelings and other factors that might indicate a mental health problem. You may also ask about the patient's mental health history. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the doctor could perform lab tests or scans of the brain to rule out any physical causes. Changes in your sleeping or eating habits can be a warning indicator of anxiety or depression. Other indicators of a mental health problem include a lack of enthusiasm for activities, feeling depressed or gloomy or thinking about hurting yourself or others. The anxiety and mood disorders can have serious harm, so it is crucial to talk about these issues during a health exam. Psychiatrists are trained to diagnose mental disorders and psychological issues. They can prescribe medication or other treatments and may recommend a lifestyle or self-care regimen to treat symptoms. They may also teach techniques for coping, like yoga and meditation. Certain psychiatrists specialize in treating children and others specialize in certain illnesses like schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder. It's a good idea for mental health checks to be scheduled at the same frequency as physical checkups. The signs of a mental health issue may be as serious as those of a physical condition, and they can have lasting impacts on the individual's life. The majority of health insurance plans offer mental health services. U.S. law requires that insurance companies not charge higher copayments and coinsurance for psychiatric treatments than for other services. Follow-up Patients with mental health issues must follow up with their doctors, just as they would with physical examinations. They also need the support from a professional network who can help them stay in the right direction in their treatment. In the case of mental illness, this group could include nurses, counselors and psychologists. These providers should be located in the same office as the primary doctor. The patient will not have to travel across the hospital or an additional building to visit these providers. Patients with severe mental illness and chronic medical conditions must be checked up promptly. assess mental health has shown that those with multiple chronic mental and medical issues are more likely to be admitted to hospital and die than those with just one illness. Untreated medical conditions can cause psychiatric issues and increase the risk of suicide. For this reason, the HEDIS measure of a first outpatient follow-up visit within 7 days of the discharge of a psychiatric patient is crucial. Recent research suggests that those who receive this type of follow-up will be more likely to seek outpatient treatment, including mental health services. This includes both medication adherence and psychotherapy sessions as well as assertive community treatment (ACT, for schizophrenia). Adults who had their first outpatient follow-up within 7 days following the discharge from a psychiatric hospital were less likely to be hospitalized due to any reason over the next six months than those who didn't receive this kind of mental health follow-up. This was the case for both the schizophrenia and depression cohorts. However, these differences were small and not statistically significant, indicating that there could be other factors in play. Additionally those who received a visual self-assessment form that reminded them of their appointment were 9 percentage points more likely to attend their follow-up appointment than those who didn't. Although the results of this study were not statistically significant, the findings suggest that simple strategies can improve the odds that patients with mental health issues will keep their appointments. This is a crucial step in preventing unnecessary emergency department visits and readmissions.