Mental Health Diagnosis
If your mental health concerns are chronic or persistent, it's a good idea to get an official diagnosis. This will aid you and your health care team identify the root of your issues, so you can treat them.
It's important to determine insurance coverage and eligibility for support services.
Diagnosis
Mental health is a mix of emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. It affects how someone reacts to stress and how they function in their work, relationships and family activities. It can also impact the ability to learn and resilience. Getting help with mental health issues early is crucial. Waiting to seek treatment can cause symptoms to get worse. The earlier a disorder is diagnosed and treated, the more straightforward it is to treat.
A physical exam may be done to rule out other reasons, such as an underlying medical issue or a medication side effect. A lab test is not used to diagnose mental illness. The same is true as the case for thyroid problems or diabetes. Instead, the doctor will listen to the person as they observe them and ask questions. They will consult training guides like the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) to help narrow in on the diagnosis. It is possible that a person's diagnosis will change over time, as a mental health professional gets more familiar with their symptoms and how they impact their life.
Once a diagnosis is established the next step is to decide on a treatment plan. This could include therapy with a therapist (psychotherapy), and possibly medications. It is also essential to take care of the lifestyle factors that aid in managing a mental illness including getting enough sleep eating a balanced diet and being physically active.
If someone you know is struggling, help them to seek out an expert in mental health. A supportive person like a family member or friend can accompany them to their appointment. Everyone can benefit from an open and honest discussion. If someone is exhibiting suicidal behavior, call 911 immediately. You can also help them by suggesting self-help or wellness books or joining a support network. Encouragement is essential, as is reminding the person to ask for assistance is not a weakness.
Symptoms
While everyone experiences changes in their moods and behavior from time to time, if the symptoms begin to affect daily life or get worse over time, they may be a sign of mental illness. It is essential to recognize these symptoms and seek help from a mental health professional or physician.
A medical doctor or psychologist will need to know about the symptoms, the length of time they've been present and if there's been any significant life events that could explain the symptoms. They'll also refer to a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to guide them as they determine the proper diagnosis. The book lists the symptoms and characteristics of every disorder. It also includes specific criteria, like what must be present to be considered a symptom of that disorder.
Once a mental disorder is diagnosed, it may be treated with medication or therapy (also called therapy for talk). Other self-care measures, such as exercising and eating a balanced diet and taking enough rest could be beneficial for some people. In addition, some people will need to change their lifestyle to make sure they are able to manage their symptoms, for example, not taking on too many responsibilities or reducing their hours when they're experiencing severe symptoms.
The main objective of treatment is to ease symptoms and their impact on a person's quality of living. The longer a patient waits to seek treatment the more difficult it is to overcome symptoms and continue living life normally. Anyone suffering from mental health issues should speak to a doctor or call a hotline for help as soon as possible. People who are in a crisis or at risk of hurting themselves or others should call 911. Before referring the patient a psychiatrist or a mental health specialist the health professional might conduct a physical exam to rule out physical conditions that might be causing their symptoms.
Treatment
It is important to speak with an expert when you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of mental illness, such as being depressed or anxious, or experiencing other mood swings. First, you should consult your doctor of your family, who may recommend you to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, or counselor.
Your psychiatrist will likely start with a physical examination to rule out other medical reasons for your symptoms, such thyroid problems. They'll then use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) from the American Psychiatric Association to make a diagnosis.
The process can take weeks or even months. It's possible that your diagnosis may alter if your symptoms are worse or improve. Your doctor may create a treatment program for you. This could include counseling, medication or lifestyle modifications. Your treatment team will monitor you closely. You may need to attend group or individual therapy such as family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy or reprocessing trauma with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. You can also try alternative therapies such as acupuncture or meditation.
It's possible to feel a sense of relief after getting a diagnosis, because it gives a name to what you've been dealing with. But it's also possible you'll feel uncomfortable about the diagnosis, or be concerned that people will treat you differently.
A diagnosis of mental illness is a powerful tool that can help you recover and feel better. You may also qualify for disability benefits, receive job protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or keep your health insurance coverage.
A mental illness can cause many different problems however, there are solutions for the majority. Certain of them are medication like antidepressants or sedatives. Others are talking therapies like psychotherapy which is sometimes referred to as "talking cure." These techniques include relaxation training and reworking negative thoughts, behaviors as well as other strategies. Some people require the services of a hospital or a residential program to manage their symptoms if they're very severe.
Recovery
The next step is to start treatment following the diagnosis. This may include psychotherapy such as group therapy, dialectical behavior therapy as well as cognitive behavior therapy family therapy, or natural healing therapies like meditation, breathing and art therapy. Often, these approaches are employed in conjunction with medications to manage symptoms. Your mental health professionals will work with to develop a treatment plan that is suited to your needs.
It's not a linear process and you may have some setbacks. However, as time passes you'll likely see improvements in your symptoms, which means that they become more manageable and a reduction in their severity. In fact, it's important to be proud of these achievements even the smallest of them. These are steps in the right direction and put you on a path towards recovery and the life you want.
As you go through the process of recovery, it's beneficial to have an established support system. This could include close friends, family members or an expert in mental health or someone in your support network who is knowledgeable about your illness. It's also important to know the resources available to you, so ask your therapist or doctor about this and the kinds of services they suggest.
You can also determine what your insurance covers, and which mental health professionals you are able to connect to through the network. You can also look into Employee Assistance Programs at your workplace or call your local mental health organization to learn more about programs and activities that could be available to you.
mental health assessment that there isn't a way to treat mental illness but this doesn't mean that they aren't manageable. You can lead a life that isn't influenced by your illness, if you have a proper diagnosis. So, continue to learn about your illness, talk to your doctors about the symptoms you're experiencing, and take it day by day. You will eventually realize that, while your diagnosis isn't a death sentence but it does make things a little more complicated, but it's worth the journey.