BECOME A VOLUNTEER
A mental health assessment gives your doctor a complete picture of your emotional state. It may be done by your primary care doctor or by a psychiatrist/psychologist. Your doctor will ask you questions about your mood, behavior, thinking, reasoning, and memory, and how well you can express yourself. They may also ask questions about how you get along with others including your family and friends.
Many times, those closest to you are the first to suspect that their loved one is challenged by feelings, behaviors, or environmental conditions that cause you to act disruptive, rebellious, or sad. This may include problems in relationships, work, school, sleeping, eating, substance abuse, emotional expression, coping with an uncertain situation, attentiveness and responsiveness. It’s important for families who suspect a problem in any of these to seek evaluation or treatment as soon as possible.
It’s normal for family members to question themselves when it becomes necessary for a loved one to be psychiatrically evaluated. You may have many questions and concerns as to his or her emotional well-being. Common questions include:
- What is wrong with my spouse, family member, or loved one?
- Did I do something wrong in my relationship with him or her to cause this?
- Will he or she stop performing these behaviors at some point?
- How can I help him or her get better?
- Does he or she need to be hospitalized?
- Will he or she need treatment?
- Where do we go for help?
- What does this diagnosis mean?
Once a diagnosis is made, family involvement and active participation in treatment is very important. The primary healthcare provider or mental health practitioner will address questions and provide reassurance by working with you to establish long-term and short-term treatment goals for you or your loved one.
