Mental Health Screening

A mental health screening (also called a "mental illnesses test" or a "psychology test") is a standard set of questions that you answer to help your health care provider check for signs of a mental disorder .

A mental health screening (also called a "mental illnesses test" or a "psychology test") is a standard set of questions that you answer to help your health care provider check for signs of a mental disorder . The questions are usually about your mood, thinking, behavior, and memory. There are many different types of mental disorders. Symptoms may range from mild to severe. Some of the most common mental disorders include: Mood disorders , such as depression , bipolar disorder , and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) . Anxiety disorders , such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder , phobias , and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Anxiety is one of the most common mental disorders, especially in children. Eating disorders , such as anorexia and bulimia. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) . ADHD is one of the most common mental health disorders in children. It can also continue into adulthood. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) . Personality disorders , such as borderline and narcissistic disorders. Substance use disorders , such as alcohol use disorder and drug use and addiction . Psychotic disorders , such as schizophrenia . Mental health disorders are very common. They can affect children , teenagers , and older adults . Because of this, there are special mental health screening tests designed for each of these age groups. Some screening tests look for general signs of the most common mental disorders. Others, such as the depression screening test , look for signs only related to specific types of disorders. With proper mental health screening, diagnosis, and treatment, people with mental health disorders can get better; many even recover completely. Other names: mental health assessment, mental illness test, psychological evaluation, psychology test, psychiatric evaluation

Why is this test ordered? You or your child may need a mental health screening if you have symptoms of a mental disorder. Different disorders have specific symptoms. General symptoms of mental disorders may include: Eating or sleeping too much or too little Pulling away from people and usual activities Fatigue and lack of energy Feeling helpless, hopeless, or numb like nothing matters Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual Changes in your sex drive or interest in sex Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, nervous, angry, worried, or scared Severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships Thoughts and memories that you can't get out of your head Hearing voices or believing things that aren't true Thinking about death, suicide , or harming yourself or others Signs of mental disorders in children may also include: Frequent tantrums and other behavior problems Frequent stomachaches or headaches without a known medical cause Difficulty in school, such as falling grades Repeating actions or constantly checking things out of fear that something bad will happen Talking a lot about fears, worries, death, or suicide If you or someone you know needs immediate help for a mental health disorder: Call 911 or go to your local emergency room Contact a crisis hotline. In the United States, you can reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at any time: Call or text 988 Chat online with Lifeline Chat TTY users: Use your preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988 Veteran can contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988, then press 1 Text 838255 Chat online Call your mental health provider or other health care provider Reach out to a loved one or close friend Some conditions can increase your risk of developing certain mental health disorders. These include: Chronic medical conditions, such as cancer , diabetes , and hypothyroidism Brain-related illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease , Parkinson's disease , or traumatic brain injury Alcohol and/or drug use disorder And certain mental disorders can increase the risk of developing physical health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. You may also have a higher risk of developing a mental health disorder if you: Have experienced an emotionally distressing event such as the loss of a loved one or abuse Have a family history of mental health disorders Are dealing with ongoing stressful life situations, such as financial problems Feel isolated from your friends and family Have few healthy relationships Can't easily access support services such as mental health specialists If you do have a higher risk of a mental health disorder, your provider may screen you more regularly.