Mental Health Diagnosis
If your mental health concerns are severe or long-lasting it's a good idea to get an official diagnosis. This will help your health care provider and help you determine what's causing your symptoms so you can treat it.
It's important to determine the insurance coverage and eligibility for support services.
Diagnosis
Mental health includes thoughts, emotions and actions. It affects how a person reacts to stress and how they function in relationships, work and family activities. It can also impact learning and resilience. Finding help for mental health issues early is important. In the absence of treatment, it can cause symptoms to get worse. It is also easier to treat sooner a disorder is identified and treated.
A physical exam could be conducted to rule out the possibility of other reasons, such as an underlying medical problem or a medication adverse effect. A laboratory test is not available to diagnose mental illness. The same is true as for thyroid issues or diabetes. The doctor will rather listen to the patient, observe them, and ask questions. They will use training manuals such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), to pinpoint the diagnosis. It is possible for a person's diagnoses to change over time as the mental health professional gets more acquainted with the symptoms and the impact they have on their lives.
Once a diagnosis is established, the next step to decide is the best treatment plan. This could include talk therapy (psychotherapy) and possibly medications. It is also important to address the lifestyle factors that aid in managing a mental illness like getting enough rest, eating healthy and exercising regularly.
If someone you know is struggling, encourage them to seek out a mental health professional. A supportive person such as an acquaintance or family member can accompany them to their appointment. Everyone will benefit from an honest and open discussion. If someone is exhibiting suicidal behavior, contact 911 immediately. You can also help them by recommending self-help or wellness books or by joining a support group. Encouragement is essential and should be accompanied by a reminder to the person that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness.
Signs and symptoms
Mental illness can be identified when the symptoms of behavioral and emotional changes get more frequent or get worse over time. It is crucial to start by taking the first step of noticing these symptoms and then reaching out to the doctor or mental health professional for help.
A medical professional or psychologist will inquire about your symptoms as well as their duration and if there are any life events that could be the cause of the symptoms. They'll also consult a book called Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition (DSM-5), to aid in determining the proper diagnosis. This book lists the symptoms and characteristics of each disorder. It also includes specific criteria, including what must be present in order to qualify for the disorder.
Once a mental disorder is recognized, it could be treated with therapy or medication (also known as therapy for talk). Some people may also benefit from other measures of self-care like exercise and eating a balanced diet, and getting enough rest. Some people may need to alter their lifestyle to help manage their symptoms. For instance they may not take on too many responsibilities or reduce their work load when they're suffering from severe symptoms.
The primary goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and their impact on an individual's quality of life. The longer that someone waits to seek treatment, the more difficult it becomes to overcome the symptoms and continue living life normally. Mental health symptoms can be addressed by speaking to an expert or calling a hotline. People who are in a crisis or are at risk of harming themselves or others should call 911. The health professional is likely to conduct an examination of the body to rule out any physical illnesses that could be causing the symptoms before referring them to a mental health professional or psychiatrist.
Treatment
If you or someone you know exhibit symptoms of mental illness -- such as hearing or seeing things that aren't there, feeling anxious or depressed or other mood changes -- it's important to talk with an expert. The first step is to consult your family physician, who can recommend you to a mental healthcare professional such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, or counselor.
Your mental health professional may start with a physical exam to rule out medical reasons for your symptoms, for example thyroid issues. They'll then refer to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), released by the American Psychiatric Association, to identify a diagnosis.
The process can take weeks or months. It's possible that your diagnosis will change if your symptoms get worse or improve. Your healthcare provider will devise a treatment program for you that might include counseling, medication or lifestyle adjustments. Your treatment team will be monitoring you closely. You may be required to attend therapy sessions in a group or on your own, such as family therapy, cognitive behavior therapy or reprocessing trauma with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. You can also consider natural treatments for healing, such as acupuncture and meditation.
After receiving a diagnosis, you might be relieved. It gives a name to the problem that you've been facing. But it's also possible that you'll feel uncomfortable with the diagnosis or worry that people will treat you differently.
A diagnosis of mental health can be a powerful instrument to help you recover from your condition and feel better. You may also be eligible for disability benefits, receive protection from work under the Americans with Disabilities Act, or maintain your health insurance coverage.
initial mental health assessment can cause many different issues however, there are solutions for most of them. Some of them are medications, such as antidepressants or sedatives. Others are talking therapies, such as psychotherapy, which is sometimes referred to as "talking cure." These techniques include relaxation training, reworking negative thoughts and behaviors and other methods. Some individuals require a hospital or residential treatment 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, family therapy, cognitive behavior therapy or dialectical behavior therapy, group therapy, and/or natural healing therapies like breathing, meditation, and art therapy. In most cases, these methods are used along with medication to manage symptoms. Your mental health professional will work together with you to design a treatment plan that best fits your needs.
It's not a linear process and you could experience setbacks. However, over time you'll likely see improvements - your symptoms becoming more manageable and a reduction in the severity. In fact, it's important to celebrate these achievements - even the small ones. These are all steps in the right direction that will help you get back on track for an active recovery.
While you're in the process of recovery, it's beneficial to have a support system in place. This could be a group of close friends, family members, an expert in mental health or a person in your network of support who is knowledgeable about the illness. Ask your therapist or doctor what services are available for you and what resources they recommend.
You can also check what your insurance covers, and which mental health professionals you can access through the network. You may also inquire about Employee Assistance Programs at your workplace, or contact your local mental health organization for information on programs and activities.
Mental illness is not curable, but they can be controlled. You can lead a life that isn't defined by your illness with a good diagnosis. So keep learning about your condition, talk to your doctors about the symptoms you're experiencing and take it day by day. Eventually, you will see that, even though your diagnosis isn't a permanent one but it does make things more complex, but it's worth the effort.