Do I need a Psychological Assessment?

Has this ever happened to you? You go to your doctor’s office, complaining of some vague symptoms. The doctor looks you over, asks you some questions, and then orders bloodwork to help pinpoint the problem. In the same way, a mental health provider can use certain tests - based on your symptoms - to come up with an accurate diagnosis of any mental health issues.

The terms “psychological assessment,” “psychological evaluation,” and “psychodiagnostic testing” are intimidating to most people, but they are simply tools used to give you a clear picture of your mental health and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
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What is a Psychological Assessment?

A psychological assessment is a comprehensive evaluation focused on the issues you are experiencing. It may involve formal testing, school or medical records, medical evaluations, observational data, and/or interviews with people close to you. The goal of a psychological assessment is to gather information that forms a full and accurate picture of your history, symptoms, and life situation. It’s an in-depth process that must be selected, implemented, and interpreted by a trained professional.
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Benefits of a Psychological Assessment

Suffering from an unknown mental health condition is a very hopeless feeling. Many people take the difficult step of getting help, only to be misdiagnosed and treated for conditions they do not have. As their condition worsens in spite of their best efforts, they often feel guilty, confused, and defeated. They can spend years suffering like this. A psychological assessment can prevent all of this with an accurate diagnosis that allows for an effective treatment plan.

An accurate psychological assessment can:

• Free you from uncertainty and confusion
• Give you clear, definitive answers about your mental health and any mental conditions you may have
• Provide hope with a treatment plan perfectly aligned to your needs
• Lower your risk of suicide
• Make it possible for you to request learning accommodations in educational settings
• Give your therapist, psychiatrist, and/or doctor a resource for effective treatment
• Help you feel empowered with an accurate picture of your mental health and a clear starting point from which to move forward
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How Do I Know If I Need a Psychological Assessment?

Anyone struggling with their mental health can benefit from a psychological assessment. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below, you may be suffering from a mental illness. An assessment could pinpoint the root causes of your issues and jump start your recovery with a well-informed treatment plan:

• Confused thinking, delusions, or hallucinations
• Persistent feelings of depression, sadness, irritability, or hopelessness
• Extreme highs or lows in mood
• Excessive fears, worries, or anxieties
• Withdrawal from socializing
• Difficulty sleeping
• Unexplained weight gain or loss
• Strong feelings of anger or guilt
• Trouble completing daily tasks, work, or school assignments
• Suicidal thoughts
• Abusing drugs or alcohol
• Excessive or unusual rebellion, theft, vandalism, or skipping school in children or teens
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If You Already Have a Diagnosis, It Might be Wrong

If you’ve been diagnosed with a mental illness but can never seem to get better, you may be a victim of mental health misdiagnosis. It’s estimated that as many as 70% of mental health patients are misdiagnosed in the US. You may have been misdiagnosed with depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, or another condition. Only a psychological assessment can truly determine which condition(s) you actually have.

If you meet any of the criteria below, there is a strong chance that you need a psychological assessment to move forward:

• You’ve sought help before with limited success: If you’ve sought therapy once (or more) in the past, gone to multiple sessions, and then quit because nothing seemed to work, you could have been treated incorrectly. Conditions such as Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and Borderline Personality Disorder are difficult to diagnose without an assessment.
• You’re currently being treated for a mental illness and progress has stalled: If you’re going to therapy and/or taking medication but you’re not improving (or you’re getting worse), an assessment can pinpoint any unidentified conditions that may be stalling your progress.
• Your situation or history is complicated: If you have multiple circumstances such as incidents in your history that may have caused trauma, genetic factors, drug use and addiction, or additional contributing factors, an assessment can give a clear picture of your entire situation.
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How to Get a Psychological Assessment

If you live near Las Vegas, NV, or Beverly Hills, CA, you can come to Medens Health for comprehensive psychological assessments to accurately diagnose any mental illness or learning disorder. Our caring staff can explain the process to you and help you determine if your insurance will cover the assessment. We can also check your eligibility for our sliding scale payment system.

If you live anywhere else in the US, you can search Psychology Today for a Psychological Testing and Evaluation Therapist in your area. If you’re not currently being treated for mental health, your primary care doctor can also refer you to a therapist or mental health center that conducts psychological assessments. If you are being treated, bring your concerns to your therapist or psychiatrist. Request that they administer a psychological assessment, or that they refer you to someone who can.

If you think you may need a psychological assessment in Las Vegas, NV or Beverly Hills, CA, get started here with Medens Health.

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^Disclaimer:

^{‍The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical or mental health. If you don’t currently have a therapist, we can connect you with one who is qualified to give you safe, professional, and ethical advice regarding your mental health.}

^{If you or someone you are responsible for is experiencing a medical emergency, is considering harming themselves or others, or is otherwise in imminent danger, you should call 9-1-1 and/or take them to the nearest emergency room.}