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Mental Health Assessment - What Happens If You Are Unhappy With Your Mental Health Assessment?

If you suffer from a mental health problem it is essential to seek assistance. Mental illness is as serious as physical disease.

Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, religious belief, social, cultural or political background. APP acknowledges the need to fight discrimination.

What is a Mental Health Assessment?

A mental health evaluation is a test that determines how people are functioning psychologically, socially, and developmental. It can also be used to diagnose illnesses such as depression and neurological diseases such as dementia.

In the initial assessment the healthcare professional will talk to patients and observe them physically. They may ask about the patient's symptoms and what's happening. They also will assess how the person thinks, makes decisions and remembers (cognitive functioning).

There are many different tests that can be conducted during an assessment. They could be formal and standardized, or informal and non-standardized. These tools could include a list of issues and a memory test or self-report screening tool like the GHQ or MMSE. These tools can be administered by a general physician or administered by mental health professionals.

Sometimes, people require laboratory tests to identify a condition. These tests can include urine or blood samples. The tests are generally not painful. The only discomfort may be the injection of the blood sample, which may be a little painful or the sensation of stinging. In more severe cases the need for an MRI scan or EEG might be required.

When a healthcare professional performs an examination, it is essential that they present the most complete picture. This involves taking into consideration the history of the patient's relatives and lifestyle as well as the environment they reside in. This information will be taken into consideration when deciding on the best treatment option for the patient.

What should be done during an assessment of mental health services

The assessment should be a time for health professionals to listen and understand what is going on for you. You should use this time to discuss your concerns and ask any questions you have. You should be informed enough about the various treatment options to make an educated decision.

The staff should greet you with a warm and welcoming manner, with empathy and respect at the time of your arrival (NICE 2009b). A comfortable waiting area should be provided for those who wish to wait in a private space or with others.

During the mental assessment Your doctor might ask you questions regarding your thoughts and emotions, how they impact your daily life, and if you've attempted to manage symptoms on your own. Your doctor will also look at how you behave. They might examine your speech patterns or if you maintain eye contact. They may also test your memory and ability to think by asking you simple questions, like recalling short lists or naming common objects and shapes.

If you are under section 2 of the Mental Health Act, your AMHP will be there to guide and support you throughout the assessment. You may bring an individual or a friend to your appointment or opt to have an advocate who is a professional representing your views and interests. They could be professionals, such as lawyers or even charity workers.


Some people have difficulty to discuss their emotional wellbeing with healthcare professionals, especially if they have had previous negative experiences. Some children don't realize that changes in their moods or behavior can be a reason for worry. Other families may not know where to go for assistance. It is vital that healthcare professionals are aware of the impact of previous negative experiences and strive to establish trust.

What should I do if I am not satisfied with the assessment?

If you've been assessed under the Mental Health Act and you are not satisfied with the results you may make a complaint to the CQC. See our guide on making a complaint for more information.

People who use mental health services typically have a lot of different appointments with various professionals. It can be difficult to keep track of all the appointments. It is crucial to be as open and honest as you can with the professional who is evaluating your condition. If you're not honest, the professional could get a wrong picture of your performance and this can affect your care.

A mental illness is a condition that may alter your mood, thoughts and behaviour. It can cause problems with work, relationships, and even everyday activities. Depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia are all common ailments. You can get help for a mental illness from your physician, friends and family or by visiting the nearest NHS CAMHS.

Making sure you receive the proper diagnosis and treatment is essential to improving your mental health. NHS England is working hard to ensure everyone gets the appropriate treatment at the right time. This includes reducing delays and ensuring the right information is accessible to everyone who needs it. We are also making adjustments to the way we record and share data to help with this.

We want to see all local mental healthcare services able to record and share data like other NHS organizations. This will enhance the quality and safety of the care. We want all healthcare providers to be able to access accurate and current data in real-time, wherever they are. This is part of the NHS's commitment to Data Saves Lives, which aims to reduce the barriers to a more efficient sharing of information within the health and social care systems.

What should I do if want an additional opinion?

You are able to take action if you feel that health experts involved in the assessment of your case do not consider your opinion seriously. You can ask the manager of your mental health services for a different specialist to discuss the situation with you, or contact one of the NHS helplines for assistance in your area. If you reside in England, the NHS has a service known as EIT (Emergency Intervention Team) which will send an emergency response team to your home. You can also contact local voluntary groups, or charitable organizations like Mind or Rethink for advice.

You might want to seek an additional opinion, either from a medical professional or a different doctor. Your GP can also offer an additional opinion. This is advisable when you're not sure about your diagnosis or treatment options, or if the doctors disagree about the best option for you.

A study published in American Journal of Medicine found second opinions to be of substantial value and cost less than what the first opinion would have been. The reason for this is that experts are able to offer new perspectives and additional information that could alter the course of a patient's care.

A second opinion could be required when your healthcare professional has missed a possible cause of your symptoms. This can be due to a variety of causes, such as an incorrect diagnosis or a doctor who isn't listening to your concerns.

Dementech can arrange for a private mental assessment with one of our psychiatrists. We offer 50-minute consultations. collaborate with a majority of the major private insurance companies to ensure that psychiatric services are covered. However, if you do not have insurance, we are able to provide excellent and affordable care.

What do I do if need a second opinion from a specialist?

If you are dissatisfied with the results of your mental health assessment and want an additional opinion, it's possible to get this. You don't have a legal right to it, but doctors will rarely refuse to make it happen for you. You can ask your GP or the mental health services to make this happen. They should be able give you the details of local advocacy services.

The doctor will look at and possibly perform further tests like blood tests or an X-ray. They will inform you about the results and discuss the options available for treatment. understanding could include medication, a hospital stay or other options. When speaking to you your doctor, the doctor must consider your age, gender and social background, as well as your sexual orientation, disability, religion as well as your religious or cultural beliefs, and your sexual orientation.

A second opinion can be useful as it allows you compare medical advice from different experts and to get an unbiased view of your medical situation. It can help you feel more confident regarding your diagnosis and treatment options and also provide you more details about the possible side effects of each treatment.

You might have a very strong reason for wanting a second opinion. For example, you might think you may have an uncommon or rare condition and would like a second opinion from a specialist to weigh in on the diagnosis and treatment options. Or maybe you have been reading about other treatments your doctor doesn't provide and you want to know if they are safe for you.

A private Psychiatrist will typically be able to visit you within a few days and will normally have access to all your health records. They can also arrange for an online video consultation using Skype or Facetime and an official medical report to be sent directly to your GP.

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