If you are struggling with your mental health, you are not alone. According to the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH), “It is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness.”[1]
The first step in receiving support for a mental health issue is an assessment. Mental health professionals need to evaluate your symptoms to determine what type of mental health services you need. Psychiatric evaluations can also help professionals provide you with a diagnosis, determine the severity of your condition, and decide whether you need inpatient or outpatient care.
If you are experiencing mental health symptoms that impact your daily life, you should seek a mental health assessment. You can receive one of these evaluations in a variety of settings, from a doctor or therapist’s office to psychiatrists and mental health treatment facilities like New Jersey Behavioral Health Center.
In this article, you will learn:
- What is a psychiatric assessment?
- When should you get a mental health evaluation?
- Where can you receive a mental health assessment in New Jersey?
What is a Mental Health Evaluation?
Mental health treatment requires a lot of planning. Your doctors have to diagnose you, determine the severity of your symptoms, decide what level of care you need, and figure out if you’ll require medication. The easiest way for mental health professionals to plan their treatment is to conduct a mental health assessment.
During a mental health evaluation, you might be asked questions like:
- What caused you to seek mental health treatment?
- What are your current symptoms or concerns?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with a mental health disorder, and if so, what condition?
- Have you ever received mental health treatment? If so, what kind?
- Does your family have a history of mental illness?
- How does your mental health impact your daily life or functioning?
- What coping mechanisms have you been using to manage your symptoms, if any?
- Do you abuse drugs or alcohol?
- Have you ever taken psychiatric medication?
- What are your goals for mental health treatment?
Once you’ve completed a mental health evaluation, the facilitator can refer you to inpatient rehab, outpatient therapy, or another type of mental health service. You might receive a diagnosis and a referral for medication if necessary.
When Should You Receive a Mental Health Assessment?
You should seek a mental health assessment if you are experiencing symptoms that impact your daily life. For example, feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, or an inability to complete seemingly normal tasks are all indicators that you need to be evaluated for a mental health condition.
If you experience the following symptoms, you should receive a mental health assessment:
- Frequent feelings of anxiety or panic attacks
- Feeling depressed more days than not
- Experiencing mood swings that cannot be attributed to normal causes
- Changes in habits like appetite changes, altered sleeping patterns, or a lack of motivation
- Being unable to experience pleasure even during activities you typically enjoy
- Persistent memories or nightmares of a traumatic event
- An increase in alcohol or drug use
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Having unusual thoughts, delusions, or feelings of paranoia
- Experiencing auditory or visual hallucinations
If you receive a mental health evaluation, you’ll have access to comprehensive mental health services that can help you regain control over your life. At New Jersey Behavioral Health Center, we offer confidential and in-depth psychiatric assessments to our clients in Hillsborough, NJ.
Where to Find a Mental Health Evaluation in New Jersey
If you are interested in receiving a mental health evaluation, you might be wondering where you can get one. There are several types of professionals you can go to get evaluated for mental health conditions, including:
- Primary Care Physicians- Your doctor can complete a mental health assessment to determine if you have a mental illness. Once the assessment is complete, they will refer you to inpatient or outpatient care. Sometimes, primary care physicians will prescribe medications to help you manage your symptoms in the meantime.
- Therapists- During your first therapy appointment, your therapist will complete a mental health evaluation. This helps them create a treatment plan and determine whether therapy will suffice or if more intensive care from an inpatient center is necessary.
- Psychiatrists- If you go to a psychiatrist to get medication, they will complete a mental health assessment to determine what condition you have, whether medication is necessary, and what other forms of treatment you might need.
- Mental Health Treatment Centers- At the start of an inpatient or outpatient mental health treatment center, you’ll undergo an in-depth mental health evaluation to determine your needs and create a long-term treatment plan.
While you can receive a psychiatric assessment in a wide variety of settings, mental health treatment centers are the best option. Your first day in the program will include an assessment that guides the rest of your stay and determines what types of services you receive. At New Jersey Behavioral Health Center, we offer a combination of individual therapy, group counseling, medication management, and more.
Get Connected to a Confidential Psychiatric Assessment in Hillsborough, NJ
If you or a loved one is suffering from the symptoms of a mental health condition, it’s time to receive a psychiatric evaluation. At New Jersey Behavioral Health Center, we offer mental health assessments at the start of treatment to ensure you get the exact type of care you need.
Contact us today for more information on how mental health evaluations work.
References:
- The National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH): Mental Illness