How To Get A Psych Evaluation

By Nanci Stockwell, LCSW, MBA

Nanci Stockwell

A dynamic leader and award-winning business strategist, Nanci Stockwell brings years of industry experience in behavioral health care... read more

Editor Renee Deveney

Renee Deveney

As a contributor for Advanced Recovery Systems, Renee Deveney is passionate about helping people struggling with substance use... read more

Medically Reviewed By Kevin Wandler, MD

Kevin Wandler

Kevin Wandler holds multiple positions at Advanced Recovery Systems. In addition to being the founding and chief medical director at... read more

Updated on 08/05/21

A mental health evaluation gives a doctor, counselor, psychologist or other licensed professional a picture of the way a person feels, reasons, thinks and remembers. Through a series of questions and physical tests, a professional can diagnose a number of mental disorders.

Some mental disorders an evaluation may help diagnose include:

Depression and mood disorders
Anxiety disorders
Eating disorders
Attention Deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Substance abuse and addictive disorders
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders

In addition to determining if a person suffers from a mental condition, the evaluation can help determine whether a person has co-occurring substance use disorder. An evaluation can also help rule out a physical cause for the health symptoms, such as thyroid disease.

People shouldn't be nervous about a mental health evaluation. Evaluations can help professionals understand an individual's mental health needs and determine a treatment plan or path to recovery.

Professionals who specialize in mental health include:
Psychiatrists can diagnose and treat mental health disorders. They can prescribe medication.
Psychologists have doctoral degrees but not medical degrees. They can diagnose and treat disorders, but they cannot prescribe medication. Some have a special license to do so.
Licensed clinical social workers have master's degrees and training in mental health. They can't prescribe medication but work with providers that do.
Licensed professional counselors have master's degrees and offer counseling on a variety of mental health issues. They can't prescribe medication but work with providers that do.

Article at a Glance:

Mental health evaluations give professionals an overview of a person's condition through questions and tests.
Evaluations can help diagnose many different mental health disorders.
You can prepare yourself for a mental health evaluation by thinking about how long your symptoms last, how often they occur and what triggers them.
Written and verbal questions, a physical exam and basic lab tests may be used during a mental health evaluation.
You might consider getting a second opinion from another professional after an evaluation.

Signs and Symptoms of Mental Health Disorders

According to the American Psychiatric Association, a few signs and symptoms may indicate the need for a mental health evaluation. Catching a mental health disorder early may prevent it from getting worse or stop it from happening.

Some symptoms include:

An unusual drop in functioning at work or school and in daily activities
Changes in sleep or appetite
Difficulty with memory, thinking and other mental tasks
Exaggerated beliefs about personal powers or magical thinking
Feeling disconnected from surroundings
Heightened sensitivity to sight, touch, sound or taste
Loss of desire, apathy
Mood changes
Paranoia or fear or others
Unusual behavior
Withdrawal or loss of interest from activities

infographic listing sings and symptoms of mental health disorders

How to Prepare for a Mental Health Evaluation

Nothing special is required to prepare for an evaluation. However, it is a good idea to think about the reasons for the assessment. Writing in a journal about thoughts and feelings in the days and weeks before the evaluation appointment may also help.

Some things to think about include:

Mental health symptoms
Troubling thoughts and behaviors
Events that may make the symptoms worse
How long the symptoms last
How often the symptoms occur

It is also important to think about what the goals and expectations of therapy are. If there are substance abuse issues, make a list of all prescription or street drugs and substances. You don't have to attend an evaluation alone. Take a friend or family member for company and support if necessary.

You may want to consider the costs associated with the evaluation. Typically, if health insurance covers the visit, there is no need to discuss fees. If the visit is not covered by insurance, the therapist may ask about your financial situation in order to negotiate a fee. Some may ask for pay stubs or other documentation to help determine the cost to you.

infographic on how to prepare for a mental health evaluation

What Happens During the Evaluation?

A mental health evaluation is an interview between the person being evaluated and their therapist or doctor. The mental health professional will likely use a combination of interview questions and a written questionnaire. If the professional is a doctor, he or she may also do a physical examination or basic lab tests to rule out physical diseases.

Suicide and Violence Risk Assessments
One of the very first things a licensed professional will do is evaluate an immediate need for help or psychiatric intervention. He or she will have to determine if the person seeking help is a danger to themselves or others. The professional will observe the person, ask questions and use their clinical experience to gauge this.

"There is a suicide protocol if you feel someone is distraught," Bingham says. "Therapists are mandated to send people to a hospital for help if they are suicidal."
Authorization and Consent Forms
Before the evaluation can begin, mental health professionals will ask for any necessary signed consent or authorization forms. They need these to get medical records, medical history, medication history and other information.

There are also consent forms needed to give permission for professionals to discuss treatment with spouses and family members.
Interview and Written Questionnaire
Mental health professionals are more likely to ask detailed questions in the interview and written questionnaire. Medical doctors may rely more on basic questions and may refer a patient to a psychiatrist or therapist.

Common interview and questionnaire topics include:
- Current symptoms
- History of present illness
- Psychiatric history
- Medical history
- Family history
- Social history
- Substance use and abuse
Some sample questions could include:
- What words would you use to describe yourself? (Intelligent, Sensitive, Evil, Crazy, Sad, etc.)
- How many siblings do you have?
- What was your relationship like with your parents?
- How did your parents discipline you?
- Were you ever in a residential treatment center as a juvenile? Where? When?
- Have you ever been in therapy before?
- Are you currently on any medications for a mental disorder?
- Have you ever attempted suicide?
- Have you had any past psychological evaluations? If so, what were they for?
- Does anyone in your family suffer from mental health problems?
- Did you belong to a gang?
- How many DUIs have you had?
- What are your religious beliefs?
Other Tests
If a medical doctor conducts the evaluation, he or she may conduct a physical exam to rule out physical cause of mental disorder symptoms. This can include blood or urine tests. If they suspect a nervous system problem, he or she may order an MRI or CT scan.

For learning disabilities and other cognitive function issues, a psychologist may conduct aptitude and memory tests.

infographic explaining what happens during a mental health evaluation

Questions to Ask

While the mental health professional or medical doctor will be asking a lot of questions, the person being evaluated should also ask questions. An important question to ask is "do you have experience with my particular symptoms or problem?'"

Getting Help and a Treatment Plan

After the mental health evaluation, the doctor or licensed mental health professional will review the results with you. Next, they will recommend a treatment plan. The plan may include psychotherapy or medication. Sometimes both may be necessary. In this case, a therapist or counselor may refer people to psychiatrists who can prescribe medication.

For people with co-occurring disorders, treatment plans may be more complicated. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, professionals should diagnose and treat psychiatric illness and substance use disorders simultaneously. Diagnosing these disorders may also be more difficult when a person abuses more than one substance such as alcohol, heroin or nicotine. Symptoms of mental illness and drug abuse also often overlap.

After the evaluation, people may seek a second opinion or consult another professional for additional treatment plan options.

If you or a loved one is facing addiction with a co-occurring mental health disorder, facilities like The Recovery Village specialize in treating both simultaneously. We have facilities across the country and work with each patient on an individualized treatment plan to meet their unique needs. Don't wait to get the help you deserve. Contact us today.

Interested in learning more about a variety of different mental health topics? The Nobu app can help. It is free and for anyone that is looking to reduce anxiety, work through depression, build self-esteem, get aftercare following treatment, attend teletherapy sessions and so much more. Download the Nobu app today!

Sources
"Common Comorbidities with Substance Abuse Disorders." National Institute on Drug Abuse, February 2019. Accessed May 17, 2019.

"Mental Health Screening." Medline Plus, January 31, 2019. Accessed May 17, 2019.

Parek, Rannah. "Warning Signs of Mental Illness." American Psychiatric Association, July 2018. Accessed May 18, 2019.

Medical Disclaimer: The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.