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Mental Health Check Up Screenings for mental health help differentiate between normal concerns and those that are clinical. They also help to detect early signs of anxiety or depression which means treatment can be initiated before the symptoms become serious. You'll want to set reasonable goals for your appointment, for example, explaining your symptoms, learning the diagnosis, and coming up with the best treatment plan. Symptoms A mental health check-up usually consists of the completion of a questionnaire as well as a physical exam. Doctors may also ask about past experiences and feelings. It's important to be truthful and answer the questions thoroughly. During the examination the doctor will likely keep a record of a patient's behavior and symptoms. They may even ask a friend or family member for information. It can be useful to keep a diary of their thoughts and feelings throughout the weeks or days leading up to their appointment. This journal can be brought to the appointment or handed to the doctor to read. It's also an ideal idea to make the list of any medication they take, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. If someone is suffering from mental health symptoms and is experiencing mental health issues, they should make an appointment with a medical professional as soon as possible. It is particularly important to seek assistance if these symptoms are causing significant disruption in one's everyday life or making it difficult to maintain relationships with other people. If mental illness assessment has tried to manage symptoms by themselves and failed, they should talk to their physician about finding an expert to assist or other resources available to the community. It is important to keep in mind that seeking help for mental health issues shouldn't be a sign weakness. It's actually a positive step towards healing. Most people aren't aware that mental illness may be accompanied by physical symptoms. It's important to have regular physical checks to ensure your doctor can look for any underlying illnesses. Talkspace articles are written by experienced mental health contributors and reviewed by an expert panel of clinicians (therapists and psychiatrists from various specialties). We strive to provide most accurate, valuable, and objective information possible. We use trusted third-party sources and include links to them in the text or at the end of every article. This allows readers to make informed decisions regarding their health. We also have a team of editors and medical reviewers to ensure the best quality content. Diagnosis When you have an illness like a headache or cold You visit your doctor for a precise diagnosis. However, when it comes down to mental health issues, many people brush the symptoms under the rug and hope they will go away on their own. A mental health checkup could be just as important as physical. During the mental health evaluation, you will discuss with your doctor or a mental health professional about your thoughts, behaviors and issues. They will inquire about your home and work life, whether you have family members or friends who can help you and how you handle stress. They will ask you if you have ever been in a traumatic situation and if alcohol or drugs are used. They will also want to hear about your religious beliefs and the goals you have for yourself in your life. Your doctor will likely conduct an examination of your body and take a detailed medical history. They will also likely do lab tests to rule out physical ailments such as an electrolyte imbalance or thyroid condition, as the cause of your symptoms. During the appointment, your doctor will listen closely to your symptoms and observe your body language to determine the type of disorder might be present. They will also refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to determine the correct diagnosis. In a psychiatric assessment or psychological assessment Your doctor will take into account all of this information in order to determine the best treatment for you. They will also help you find local resources for support. If your doctor suspects you have an illness of the mind that is serious then they will devise a treatment program which could include therapy, medication, or counseling. They may suggest that you attend follow-up appointments in order to keep track of your progress and see how you respond to treatment. They will also refer you to an expert, if needed. Treatment Treatment is beneficial for people suffering from mental illness. A psychiatrist, therapist, or psychologist can provide a variety therapies and medications to help manage symptoms. Treatment is usually required if the patient isn't performing well enough in their everyday lives, or if they are suicidal. A lot of people are diagnosed as having a mental disorder after visiting their primary doctor or being referred to a specialist by a friend or relative. A medical exam could include questions about the patient's mood, sleep, appetite, feelings, and other factors that might suggest a mental health issue. You may also ask about the person's past mental health background. Based on the severity of the symptoms, the doctor could perform lab tests or scans of the brain to determine if there are any physical causes. Changes in your sleeping or eating habits could be a sign of depression or anxiety. Other signs of mental health issues include feeling hopeless or depressed, or having thoughts of harming yourself or others. The anxiety and mood problems can have serious consequences, so it is important to discuss these concerns during a health check up. Psychiatrists are trained to recognize mental disorders and psychological problems. They may prescribe medication or other treatments and may suggest a lifestyle or self-care regime to manage symptoms. They may also instruct strategies for coping, like yoga and meditation. Some psychiatrists specialize in treating children, while others are specialists in certain illnesses like schizophrenia or Bipolar Disorder. It is recommended to schedule mental health screenings with the same regularity as physical health checkups. Mental health issues can trigger symptoms that are just as severe as physical ailments, and can cause lasting effects on the life of an individual. Most health insurance plans cover mental health services, and U.S. laws require that insurance companies do not charge higher copayments or coinsurance for the treatment of psychiatric disorders than they do for other types of services. Follow-up Similar to a physical exam patients suffering from mental illness must follow up with their doctors. However, they also require the support of a community of professionals to help stick with their treatment. For those suffering from mental illness, this group could include nurses, counselors and psychologists. They should be located in the same office as the primary physician. The patient will not have to travel across the hospital or to a different building to see these providers. People with serious mental illness or chronic medical conditions should be checked up promptly. Research suggests that people who have a mix of mental and chronic medical health issues have higher rates of hospitalizations and deaths than those who suffer from either by themselves. Additionally, untreated general medical conditions can cause psychiatric symptoms and increase the chance of suicide. This is why the HEDIS measure of a first follow-up outpatient visit within seven days following the discharge from psychiatric care is important. The results of a recent study suggest that those who receive this kind of follow-up are much more likely to seek outpatient services, which includes mental health services. This includes psychotherapy, medication adherence sessions, and assertive community therapy (ACT for schizophrenia). Adults who had their first outpatient follow-up within seven days of the discharge of a psychiatric patient were less likely to be hospitalized due to any reason over the next six months than adults who didn't receive this type of mental health follow-up. This was true for both depression and schizophrenia cohorts. These differences were not statistically significant or aren't significant, which suggests that other factors may be involved. In the same way those who received a visual self-assessment card that reminded them of their appointment were 9 percentage points more likely to attend their follow-up appointment than those who were not. The results of this study, even though not statistically significant it suggests that simple methods could improve the likelihood that patients with mental health issues attend their follow-up appointments. This is an important step to avoid unnecessary emergency department visits and readmissions.