According to the American Psychiatric Association’s (2013) manual, there are the following categories of mental disorders: neurodevelopmental, bipolar, anxiety, trauma- and stressor-related, dissociative, somatic symptom, elimination, sleep-wake, personality, neurocognitive, substance-related and addictive, feeding and eating, obsessive-compulsive, paraphilic, disruptive, and depressive. Mental health diagnosis is a process involving several steps (Holland, 2018). During the first meeting, a physical examination is usually performed by a physician to identify the signs which might contribute to one’s symptoms (Holland, 2018).
Another common way of diagnosing a problem with mental health is the use of laboratory tests. Such tests may involve screening for drugs or alcohol and the check of the person’s thyroid function (“Mental illness,” n.d.). Finally, there is one more approach to identifying a mental issue: a psychological assessment (“Mental illness,” n.d.). During such an evaluation, a mental health specialist talks to a person about their thoughts and feelings, symptoms, and behavior patterns. Additionally, one may be required to complete a questionnaire that contains assessment-related questions.
Depending on the severity of the patient’s symptoms, various types of treatment may be suggested. Some of the most typical approaches include psychotherapy and hospitalization (“Mental health treatments,” n.d.). Frequently, treatment with the help of medication is selected (“Mental health disorder,” n.d.). Psychotherapy is the kind of medical care provided by a mental health professional.
A therapist analyzes the patient’s thoughts, the manner of conduct, and feelings, which allows finding ways to enhance the person’s health (“Mental health treatments,” n.d.). The result of treatment is the most productive when psychotherapy is combined with medication. The most typical kinds of psychotherapy are dialectical behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, and exposure. With the help of timely and correct diagnosis and effective treatment, the specialist can significantly relieve patients’ symptoms and help them return to the life without mental problems.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5 (5th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Holland, K. (2018). Mental health basics: Types of mental illnesses, diagnosis, treatment, and more. Web.
Mental health disorder treatment guidelines and consumer guides. (n.d.). Web.
Mental health treatments. (n.d.). Web.
Mental illness. (n.d.). Web.