Mental health checkups could be a good form of preventive care, similar to routine physical checkups.
A mental health checkup can look at:
- Mood: depression, irritability, emotional stability
- Anxiety and stress: excessive worry, panic, chronic stress
- Sleep: insomnia, irregular sleep, nightmares
- Cognition: concentration, memory, mental sharpness
- Substance use: alcohol, medications, or other substances:Please, consult with a medical doctor.
- Relationships: isolation, conflict, boundaries, social support
- Functioning: work, daily responsibilities, motivation
- Trauma: lingering effects of stressful or traumatic experiences
- Safety: suicidal thoughts, self-harm, or other urgent concerns:A variety of healthcare professionals, including physicians, counselors, psychologists, and other mental health professionals, can play an important role in the assessment and treatment of self-harm. A multidisciplinary approach involves collaboration among multiple healthcare providers to ensure that individuals who engage in self-harm receive comprehensive, coordinated, and individualized care. A thorough psychosocial assessment can help identify underlying psychological, social, and environmental factors, as well as determine the individual’s treatment and support needs.
It may not mean something is “wrong” with you. A checkup may identify problems early, before they become severe.
A primary care physician may perform basic screening, while a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other qualified mental health professional may provide a more comprehensive evaluation.
For many people, an annual or periodic mental health check in is reasonable, with more frequent assessment when symptoms or major life changes occur.
Shervan K Shahhian
LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION 