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Mental Health Check Up Mental health screenings can help differentiate normal, age-appropriate problems from clinical ones. They can also help patients detect early signs of depression or anxiety to ensure that treatment can be initiated before the issue becomes grave. Set realistic goals for your appointment, such as describing your symptoms, getting a diagnosis and creating a treatment plan. Signs and symptoms A mental health check-up typically includes a questionnaire as well as a physical examination. Doctors may also ask about your past experiences and feelings. Answering questions honestly and completely is crucial. During the examination, the doctor will probably keep a record of a patient's behavior and symptoms. They may even ask an individual from the family or a friend for information. It can be beneficial to keep a record of their thoughts and feelings throughout the days or weeks leading up to their appointment. They can take this journal with them to the appointment or hand it over to their doctor to read. Suggested Reading is also an ideal idea to make a list of any medicines they are taking, including herbal supplements and prescription drugs. If someone is suffering from mental health symptoms and is experiencing mental health issues, they should make an appointment with a physician immediately. It is especially important to seek assistance when these symptoms cause major disruption to the everyday life or causing difficulty to maintain relationships with others. If someone tried to manage symptoms on their own, but failed, they should talk with their doctor about locating specialists or other resources available to the community. It's important to remember that seeking help for mental health problems isn't an indication of weakness. It's actually a step towards healing. Many people are unaware that mental illness can present with physical symptoms. It's important to have regular physical exams, so that your doctor can test for any underlying illnesses. Talkspace articles are written and reviewed by a team of clinical experts (therapists psychiatrists, psychologists and other specialists) who are all skilled contributors to mental health and wellness. We strive to provide the most reliable, valuable, and objective information possible. We link to trusted third-party resources in the text of the article or at the end of each article. This assists readers in making informed decisions regarding their health. We have a team that includes editorial and medical reviewers who ensure that we provide the best quality content. Diagnosis If you're suffering from a severe cold or headache, you visit your doctor and get an accurate diagnosis. But when it comes to mental health issues, many people ignore the symptoms under the rug, hoping they will disappear by themselves. However, the mental health checkup is just as important as a physical check-up. During the evaluation you'll be able to talk with your doctor or mental health professional about your thoughts and behavior. They will also ask questions about your work and home life, if you have family or friends who provide a support system, and how you cope with stress. They'll want to know if you have experienced any trauma in the past, as well as if you use drugs or alcohol. They will also want to hear about your religious beliefs and the goals you have for yourself in life. Your doctor might take a thorough medical history and conduct a physical examination. They may also conduct tests on your lab to rule out physical conditions such as an electrolyte imbalance or thyroid condition which could be the reason for your symptoms. During the interview your doctor will pay attention to how you describe your symptoms and observe your body language for clues about what type of disorder you may have. They will also consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to identify the appropriate diagnosis. When you undergo a psychiatric examination or psychological assessment your doctor will take into account all of the information provided to determine the best treatment for you. They will also assist you find local resources for support. If your doctor suspects you have a serious mental illness and is able to confirm it, they will create a treatment plan that could include therapy, medication or counseling. They may recommend periodic appointments to track your progress and assess how you're responding to treatment. They may also refer you to specialists, if required. Treatment Anyone suffering from a mental health issue may benefit from treatment. A psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist can offer various therapies and medications that can help patients manage their symptoms. Treatment is often needed if a person is not functioning well enough in their daily life or if they are suicidal. A lot of people are diagnosed as having mental illness after seeing their primary physician or having been directed to a specialist by a relative or friend. A medical check-up may include questions regarding the patient's mood, sleep patterns, appetite, and other factors which could be indicative of a mental illness. You can also inquire about the person's past mental health background. Based on the severity of the person's symptoms, the doctor may perform lab tests or scans of the brain to rule out any physical causes. If a person notices changes in their eating or sleeping patterns, these can be a sign of depression or an anxiety disorder. Other indicators of mental health disorders include feeling hopeless or depressed, or having thoughts of harming yourself or others. Mood and anxiety disorders can cause serious harm, so it is crucial to talk about these issues during a health exam. Psychiatrists are trained to identify mental disorders and psychological issues. They are able to prescribe medications and other treatments, and might recommend a specific lifestyle or self-care regimen to help manage symptoms. They can also help you develop techniques for coping, like meditation and yoga. Some psychiatrists specialize in treating children and others specialize in specific conditions such as Bipolar Disorder or schizophrenia. It's a good idea for mental health checkups to be scheduled at the same frequency as physical checks. The signs of a mental health issue can be just as serious as those of physical illness, and they can have a lasting impact on the individual's life. More inspiring ideas of health insurance plans cover mental health services, and U.S. laws require that insurance companies should not charge higher copayments or coinsurance for mental health services than they do for other types of services. Follow-up Like a physical examination, mental health patients must follow up with their doctors. They also require support from a network of professionals who can assist them in staying on the right track in their treatment. In the case mental illness, this could include psychologists, counselors and nurses. Ideally, these providers can be found in the same office or facility as the primary doctor of care. Patients will not need to travel across the hospital or to another building to see these providers. People suffering from severe mental illness and chronic medical conditions should be checked up promptly. Research suggests that people suffering from multiple chronic mental and medical problems 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. The HEDIS measure that requires a follow-up appointment with an outpatient within seven days following the discharge from a psychiatric facility is crucial. The results of the study indicate that those who receive this kind of follow-up are more likely to utilize outpatient services, such as mental health services. This includes both medication adherence and psychotherapy sessions and assertive community treatment (ACT, which is a treatment for schizophrenia). Adults who have received their first outpatient mental health check-up within 7 days of psychiatric discharge are less likely to be hospitalized during the next six months for any reason than those who don't receive this type follow-up. This was true for both depression and schizophrenia groups. These differences were not statistically significant, and small, suggesting that other factors may be at play. In the same way those who received a self-assessment card that reminded them of their appointment were 9 percentage points more likely to make their follow-up appointment than those who didn't. Although the results of this study weren't statistically significant, the results suggest that simple strategies can increase the chances that patients with mental health issues will keep their follow-up appointments. This is a crucial step to avoid unnecessary admissions and emergency department visits.