Mental Health Diagnosis

It's important to get a diagnosis if your symptoms of mental illness persist or are severe. mental health assesment can help you and your health care provider understand what's causing your symptoms, so you can manage them.

It's also essential to determine insurance coverage and to determine if you are eligible for support services.

Diagnosis

Mental health is a mix of thoughts, emotions and behavior. It affects how someone responds to stress and how they function at work, in relationships and with their family. It can also impact learning and resilience. Early intervention is crucial to addressing a mental illness. If you wait to seek treatment, it could make symptoms worse. The earlier a disorder can be identified and treated, the simpler it is to treat.

A physical exam can be performed to rule out any other causes, such as an illness or medication side effects. A lab test is not available to diagnose mental illness. This is the same as for thyroid issues or diabetes. The doctor will instead listen to the patient, 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 a diagnosis. It is possible for a person's diagnosis to change over time as the mental health professional gets more acquainted with the symptoms and their impact on their lives.

Once a diagnosis has been confirmed, the next thing to do is determine a plan of treatment. This could include talk therapy (psychotherapy) and perhaps medications. It is also important to consider lifestyle factors that can aid in the treatment of a mental disorder, such getting enough sleep, eating healthy and being physically active.

Encourage someone you care about to seek assistance from an expert in mental health when they are struggling. It can be helpful to have a supportive person such as a family member or friend, go along with them to an appointment. A candid, open discussion can be beneficial for everyone. If someone is showing suicidal behavior, contact 911 immediately. Other ways to support them include recommending self-help resources or wellness activities and joining an online support group. It is also important to offer encouragement and to remind the person asking for help isn't an indication of weakness.

Symptoms

Every person experiences changes in their moods and behavior from time time, if these symptoms become problematic with everyday life or become more severe over time, they may be an indication 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 inquire about your symptoms, their duration and if there are any events in your life that could be the cause of the symptoms. They will also use the book known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) to guide them as they determine the proper diagnosis. This book describes the defining characteristics and symptoms of every disorder, as well with a list of specific criteria, such as what is required in order to be considered a disorder, which is why it's crucial that psychologists or doctors follow the guidelines exactly.

When a mental disorder is identified, it can be treated by therapy or medication (also known as talk therapy). Other self-care strategies, such as exercising, eating a balanced diet and taking enough rest may be beneficial to some people. Additionally, some people will need to change their lifestyles to ensure they are able to manage their symptoms, for example, not taking on too many obligations or reducing their hours when they're experiencing severe symptoms.

The primary goal of treatment is to reduce symptoms and their impact on a person’s quality of living. The longer someone is waiting to seek treatment, the more difficult it is to get rid of symptoms. The symptoms of mental illness can be treated by talking to the doctor or calling an emergency hotline. Those in crisis situations or those who might harm themselves or others are advised to dial 911. The health care provider will likely do an examination to rule out physical illnesses that could be causing the symptoms prior to referring them to a mental health professional or psychiatrist.

Treatment

If you or someone you know exhibit warning signs of mental illness -- for example, hearing or seeing things that aren't there, feeling anxious or depressed, or other mood changes -- it's important to speak to an expert. The first step is to see your family physician and ask them to refer you to an expert in mental health like a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker.

Your mental health professional will likely start by conducting a physical examination to rule out other medical reasons for your symptoms, such thyroid issues. They'll then use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fifth edition (DSM-5) from the American Psychiatric Association to make the diagnosis.

The process can take weeks or even months. Your diagnosis may change if you notice an improvement or worsening of your symptoms. Your health care provider may design a treatment program specifically for you, which could include counseling, medication or lifestyle adjustments. Your treatment team will closely monitor your progress. You might be required to attend sessions with a group or individual, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, or reprocessing trauma-related events using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). You can also try alternative treatments for healing, such as meditation and acupuncture.

You might feel relief following a diagnosis because it gives a name to what you've been experiencing. But it's also possible you'll be uncomfortable with the diagnosis, or be concerned that people will treat you differently.

A diagnosis of mental illness can be an effective tool to help you recover from your illness 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 issues but there are treatments for the majority of them. Some of these treatments are drugs like antidepressants and sedatives. Other talking therapies include psychotherapy (also called "talking cure") which includes relaxation training, the reworking of negative thoughts and behaviors, and other strategies. When symptoms are severe, certain people may need to be treated in a hospital or residential program.

Recovery

The next step is to begin treatment following the diagnosis. This could involve psychotherapy, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy, group therapy, or natural healing therapies like breathing, meditation and art therapy. Often, these approaches are utilized in conjunction with medication to treat symptoms. Your mental health professionals will collaborate together with you to design a treatment plan that best meets your requirements.

The process of recovery isn't always smooth and you may have some setbacks. Over time, you'll likely notice that your symptoms are becoming manageable. It's important to acknowledge and celebrate small victories. These are steps in the right direction and get you on the path to recovery and the life you've always wanted.

It's important to have a strong support system to help you go through the recovery process. This could include close friends, family members as well as a mental health professional or someone in your network of support who is knowledgeable about the health condition. It is also important to know the resources available to you, so talk to your therapist or doctor about this and what services they recommend.

You can also learn what your insurance covers and which mental health professionals are covered. You may also inquire about Employee Assistance Programs in your workplace, or contact your local mental health service to learn more about programs and activities.


Mental illnesses are not treatable, but they are able to be managed. With a proper diagnosis and treatment, you'll be able to live the life you desire that isn't influenced by your illness. Keep learning about your condition, talk to your doctors about the symptoms you're experiencing, and take it day by day. You'll eventually realize that the diagnosis doesn't mean that you're destined to die, but it could make your life more difficult. It's worth it to go through the process.