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Mental Health Assessment and Advocacy in Mental Health A mental health assessment is a medical professional's evaluation of your mood, ability to think clearly, recall information and how you interact with others. It can also be used to check if a person has certain mental disorders like depression or neurological disorders such as dementia. During the assessment you will be asked questions. Some people find it beneficial to bring a family member or acquaintance to assist them, or ask for an advocate, such as someone from the local council or charity Mind to be there. Holistic approach The holistic approach to mental health assessment focuses on the whole person, as well as their physical and spiritual wellbeing. It also takes into account the patient's lifestyle and their relationships as they have a significant impact on their mental health. Before deciding on the best treatment plan, it's vital that healthcare professionals understand how these influences affect the health of the patient. This type of assessment can reveal any imbalances or disconnections in the body, mind and heart which could be contributing to the patient's symptoms. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (PNPs) are able to work with patients to build trust and establish a clear communication line. Active listening is the first step towards creating a therapeutic relationship with their patients. Through this partnership the psychiatric nurses can ensure that patients feel heard and valued throughout their treatment. A holistic approach to mental health assessment is one that considers the individual's unique needs that are dependent on their culture, heritage and language, as well as their age, sexual and gender identity, religion and the status of their relationship. It considers the emotional and psychological effects these factors have on an individual as well as their financial and lifestyle. This information is used to design a personalized treatment program. Certain medical conditions, such as biochemical imbalance or neurological disease can cause mental illness, many suffer from this condition because of lifestyle and environmental factors. Insufficient rest, a poor diet, lack of exercise and stress are all causes that can lead to mental illness. These problems can be addressed to reduce symptoms and reduce the chance of developing further health problems. PNPs use various methods and techniques, such as massage therapy, psychotherapy and acupuncture to assess the health of the patient in general. These methods are based upon ancient Eastern healing practices as well as modern Western medical practices. PNPs also use mindfulness and relaxation techniques to enhance their patients health and quality of life. A holistic approach to care has been shown in several studies to be effective in improving health outcomes for older adults who suffer from multiple long term diseases and frailty. However, a review of the evidence suggests that a more thorough assessment is needed to determine the effectiveness of this approach in both community and hospital settings. This review will combine the evidence supporting the effectiveness of an integrated approach to health care for older adults in both hospital and community settings. Personal Histories Mental health professionals frequently ask questions to determine how the symptoms impact a person's life. This could include asking what makes the symptoms better or worse, if they have been for a long period of period of time and how they affect the way you work and your life at home. The doctor also looks at the person's appearance as well as behaviour to determine if they seem unusual for the individual. The doctor will also take into consideration any supplements or medications the patient takes and their side effects. The interview is an essential part of the assessment and helps the doctor get an overall picture of how the symptoms are impacting the person's mood, behavior, thinking ability and memory (cognitive functioning). This information will allow the doctor to determine if the symptoms are due to an illness of the mind, or a physical issue like arthritis. The doctor will also carry out a physical examination in addition to the interview. This includes an exam for the neuromuscular system to determine conditions like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. The doctor will also look at the patient's movements, their speech quality, and whether or not they suffer from balance issues. The doctor will also look for any medications in the blood or urine. Psychological testing is usually utilized in conjunction with assessments for mental health and is done in the context of a clinical setting. The tests can be either verbal or written and are generally designed to measure specific disorders. These tests may include questionnaires to measure anxiety, depression levels, impulsiveness or intelligence. They also measure the way people respond to certain stimuli like colors and shape. Some patients find it beneficial to bring a family or friend member to their mental health assessment. This can help them feel supported and allow them to talk about their feelings and thoughts with the healthcare professional. Some patients feel more comfortable with a patient advocate who can represent their needs and views during the assessment. These advocates can be volunteers or professionals, such as mental health charity workers. Tests A mental health evaluation is the process that evaluates the way a person thinks, interacts with others, and recalls. This involves direct questioning as well as objective observation. The health professional can use standard tools, like the mini-mental exam (MMSE). Those who require a more thorough evaluation may also be administered additional tests. The MMSE test the patient's abilities in completing short-term questions, recognizing familiar faces and places, and performing basic calculations. It also tests their short-term memories. The short-term memory capacity of the patient is tested by asking them to remember four unrelated concepts or objects or sentences, or a five-part name and address, then recalling the information in three to five minutes. An IQ test is used to determine how smart a person is. It can be measured using a pencil and paper, or with a computerized test. The IQ test is often part of a complete psychological assessment. A mental health evaluation is often coupled with a physical examination to determine if there are any medical issues that may cause symptoms. This could include blood laboratory tests, Computed Tomography (CT scan) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Psychological or Neuropsychological tests can not provide a prediction of future thoughts, feelings, or actions. However, they can help identify certain patterns or trends that could be indicative of a mental illness. The Beck Anxiety Inventory is another test that can be used in a mental health evaluation. It assesses the severity of anxiety-related symptoms. Its precise scoring allows doctors to determine whether a client’s anxiety is mild and normal or severe and debilitating. It's also common for therapy clients to feel stigma surrounding their need to seek treatment. This can lead to reluctance to undergo an assessment for mental health or attend therapy. Psychiatrists are able to assist their clients in overcoming this obstacle by providing an exercise called Understanding Mental Health Stigma. This encourages them talk openly with their family and friends about their symptoms. Performance data is another popular assessment tool for mental health. It involves asking the user to complete a task via an app, then collecting data about their ability to complete the task. These apps are typically designed to appear like video games, and employ adaptive algorithms that minimize floor or ceiling effects, or the practice effect typical of traditional pen-and paper tests. Advocacy Advocacy for mental health is the process of helping those suffering from mental illnesses or conditions to meet their needs. This could include educating people about the condition, forming support groups, and increasing awareness of mental illness. It is also important to ensure that mental illness is a priority for the government and that resources are available. This can be done directly or indirectly through advocacy groups, such as patients, families, nongovernmental organisations, and mental health workers, or by convincing planners and policy-makers to take action. In Internet Page of a mental health assessment the doctor will ask questions and note the patient's appearance, his activity level, mood and emotional state, thoughts, speech and language, as well as behavior. Also, he will examine the physical examination of the patient to determine whether the symptoms result from an illness of the mind or an illness that affects the body. He will also ask about the patient's medical history and medication. Diagnostic tests, like blood tests, MRIs, or CT scans, may be required. A comprehensive mental health evaluation can comprise an interview and psychometric test that are designed to measure the abilities of a person's mind and personality traits. A psychiatrist or psychologist will use these tests to gather information about the patient's condition and his or her behavior. These tests can be structured or unstructured, and can range from a series of closed questions to open-ended discussions. These tests can be used to assess the severity of a variety of disorders, ranging from bipolar disorder to depression, and anxiety. Mental health assessments also evaluate cognitive functioning, which is the ability to think clearly and remember information. This includes the ability of a person to concentrate and do simple calculations. The test will also examine insight and judgment that are a person's ability to make informed decisions. Advocates can assist patients find treatment and work with doctors to meet their mental health requirements. Advocates can either be professionals, such as lawyers or volunteer, like mental health charity workers. Advocates are crucial to the achievement of mental health services and can result in improvements in services and policies. It can also change the public's perceptions about those suffering from mental illness, making them feel more included and empathetic.