Mental Health Evaluation

A mental health evaluation is one of the first steps toward achieving better mental well-being. At EsiaCare in Parkville, Maryland, addiction medicine specialist Grace Agboh, NP, provides personalized and comprehensive mental health evaluations to accurately diagnose and treat mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and other health concerns that can affect your mental well-being. Call the clinic today or schedule an appointment online to learn more.

What is a mental health evaluation?

A mental health evaluation allows your EsiaCare provider to better understand your emotional and psychological health. It involves asking questions about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to determine if you may be experiencing any mental health conditions. 

The initial assessment helps your provider tailor a treatment plan for your specific needs, promoting better mental health and overall well-being.

What does a mental health evaluation include?

A mental health evaluation has several key components, such as:

Questionnaires

Patient health questionnaires provide EsiaCare with vital information on your symptoms, diet, lifestyle, occupation, environment, and other factors that can affect your physical and mental health.

Medical history review and interview questions

During your medical history review, your provider asks detailed questions about your specific symptoms, including:

• What symptoms you’re experiencing
• When symptoms started
• Whether symptoms are constant or vary 
• How long symptoms typically last
• Any previous attempts to manage or reduce symptoms

These questions help your provider better understand your behavior, thinking processes, and cognitive function.

Lab tests

Ruling out underlying medical conditions is essential during a mental health evaluation. Thyroid function screenings, toxicology tests, and electrolyte panels help detect contributing factors to your condition. 

Physical Exam

A head-to-toe physical exam can identify potential physical conditions or symptoms that may affect your mental health.

How do I know if I need a mental health evaluation?

Determining whether you need a mental health evaluation is an important step in understanding and addressing your mental well-being. Signs you may benefit from a mental health evaluation include:

• Excessive worry, dread, or nervousness
• Hopelessness, sadness, or suicidal thoughts
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Mood swings
• Social withdrawal
• Difficulty meeting personal or professional obligations 
• Problems performing daily tasks

Mental health problems can also cause physical symptoms, such as headaches, body aches, or weight changes.

What can a mental health evaluation screen for?

A mental health evaluation can screen for many mental health conditions and substance use disorders, including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Alcohol dependence
• Opioid addiction
• Eating disorders
• Bipolar disorders

Mental health screenings aren’t the end of your care plan at EsiaCare. Once you have a diagnosis, your provider may recommend a combination of treatments, such as counseling and therapy, medication management, and psychiatric rehabilitation programs (PRPs).

Call EsiaCare today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about mental health evaluations.