Mental Health Self-Assessments
Types of Mental Health Self-Assessments
Mental health self-assessments can be found online, in magazines, on television shows, and in other places. Some may just have a few simple questions, while others can be extensive and take some time to fill out. It’s important to consider the source of the self-assessment. For example, if it’s published in a psychology-related magazine, it’s likely to be more realistic than if it’s one of those “take a quiz for fun” ones published all over the internet.
Many types of mental health self-assessments exist and cover a wide variety of mental illnesses. Some of the different types of self-assessments you can find include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Complex trauma
- Childhood trauma test
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Borderline personality disorder
- Narcissistic personality disorder
- Mood disorder
- Thought disorder
- Eating disorder
- Codependency
- Dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder)
The Importance of an Accurate Mental Health Diagnosis
Getting an accurate mental health diagnosis proves vital. An inaccurate one can send a person down a long path of getting the wrong type of treatment, attending the wrong kind of therapy, or using medications that won’t give them good results. An accurate mental health diagnosis from a professional provides the first step in helping the person begin to improve their symptoms and take charge of their lives again. The diagnosis provides a strong foundation that supports the person’s ability to participate in their care and meet their own treatment goals.
Here are some critical reasons why getting an accurate mental health diagnosis is so vital:
- Getting an Accurate Diagnosis: When someone self-diagnoses or receives an inaccurate diagnosis from another source, they may end up receiving treatment or taking medications that are not right for their condition. This can be time-consuming, costly, frustrating, and even harmful in some situations.
- Receiving Treatment Designed Just For the Individual: A quality treatment facility for mental health disorders should not treat everyone with a cookie-cutter approach. The right diagnosis means the person will be matched with the therapy modalities that will best suit them. A treatment plan can be formulated and started quickly, giving the individual a clear plan for improving their mental health.
- Helping Research Make Progress: Researchers into mental health disorders can use accurate diagnoses to help build on existing research and start new studies. The more the professionals know about mental illness, the more they can target the right treatment methods and medications for those who need them.
The Importance of an Accurate Mental Health Diagnosis
Getting an accurate mental health diagnosis proves vital. An inaccurate one can send a person down a long path of getting the wrong type of treatment, attending the wrong kind of therapy, or using medications that won’t give them good results. An accurate mental health diagnosis from a professional provides the first step in helping the person begin to improve their symptoms and take charge of their lives again. The diagnosis provides a strong foundation that supports the person’s ability to participate in their care and meet their own treatment goals.
Here are some critical reasons why getting an accurate mental health diagnosis is so vital:
- Getting an Accurate Diagnosis: When someone self-diagnoses or receives an inaccurate diagnosis from another source, they may end up receiving treatment or taking medications that are not right for their condition. This can be time-consuming, costly, frustrating, and even harmful in some situations.
- Receiving Treatment Designed Just For the Individual: A quality treatment facility for mental health disorders should not treat everyone with a cookie-cutter approach. The right diagnosis means the person will be matched with the therapy modalities that will best suit them. A treatment plan can be formulated and started quickly, giving the individual a clear plan for improving their mental health.
- Helping Research Make Progress: Researchers into mental health disorders can use accurate diagnoses to help build on existing research and start new studies. The more the professionals know about mental illness, the more they can target the right treatment methods and medications for those who need them.
Self-Assessment vs Clinical Diagnosis
The purpose of mental health self-assessments is to provide the average person with a tool to help them think about their mental health and look for an indication they are experiencing trouble. The self-assessments can be done privately at home or on any digital device without anyone knowing the person is doing one. For many people, the results of one of these assessments can provide the momentum to speak to a mental health professional to discuss their results.
These types of assessments are usually quick and easy to do, but it’s important to remember that they cannot replace the diagnosis from a mental health expert. A clinician will perform a much more thorough assessment that will accurately pinpoint what each symptom means and the prognosis. The clinicians have years of experience and the skills needed to diagnose, which the person taking the test does not possess. As confident as an individual might be in their self-assessment results, they should speak to a professional who can do a deeper dive.
Do I Need Mental Health Treatment?
It can be difficult and even embarrassing to consider the question of whether a person needs to seek a therapy program to help improve their mental health. If symptoms of mental illness throw up a roadblock in someone’s life and keep them from experiencing joy and peacefulness, it’s time to look into getting help. It can be tempting to think that a person can cure themselves, but disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD don’t just dissipate if the individual has strong willpower. It’s important to speak to a mental health counselor to discuss the person’s exact situation and needs.
What Does a Mental Health Assessment Tell Me?
Do I Need Mental Health Treatment?
It can be difficult and even embarrassing to consider the question of whether a person needs to seek a therapy program to help improve their mental health. If symptoms of mental illness throw up a roadblock in someone’s life and keep them from experiencing joy and peacefulness, it’s time to look into getting help. It can be tempting to think that a person can cure themselves, but disorders like depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD don’t just dissipate if the individual has strong willpower. It’s important to speak to a mental health counselor to discuss the person’s exact situation and needs.
What Does a Mental Health Assessment Tell Me?
Get a Mental Health Assessment and Begin Treatment in Philadelphia
Have you taken a mental health self-assessment and think you may know what’s impacting your mental health? Have you taken one but don’t feel you got a clear answer about if you have a disorder or not? Your mental health is as vital as your physical health, which makes it important to speak to a mental health expert to determine what’s going on. New Mind Philadelphia treats a wide variety of mental illnesses and can provide an initial assessment so you know exactly what disorder you have. We then design a program based on your specific needs to help you address them and minimize the symptoms or heal from it completely, whenever possible. Our outpatient programs can change your life and put you on the road to healing.
Contact us today and let’s talk about your symptoms and what mental illness you may be facing. We make it easy to talk with our friendly admissions staff and provide a free insurance verification.
Get a Mental Health Assessment and Begin Treatment in Philadelphia
Have you taken a mental health self-assessment and think you may know what’s impacting your mental health? Have you taken one but don’t feel you got a clear answer about if you have a disorder or not? Your mental health is as vital as your physical health, which makes it important to speak to a mental health expert to determine what’s going on. New Mind Philadelphia treats a wide variety of mental illnesses and can provide an initial assessment so you know exactly what disorder you have. We then design a program based on your specific needs to help you address them and minimize the symptoms or heal from it completely, whenever possible. Our outpatient programs can change your life and put you on the road to healing.
Contact us today and let’s talk about your symptoms and what mental illness you may be facing. We make it easy to talk with our friendly admissions staff and provide a free insurance verification.