Posts Tagged ‘Diagnosis’
Online Mental Health Screenings
There are many online tests out there, including mental health screenings. Some online mental health screenings are meant to sell you things. Not necessarily bad things. For example, some online memory tests are designed to sell you brain training software, some of which may assist people with retaining brain capabilities as they age.
Other online screenings are meant to expose you to advertising. Still others just want to make you aware of a condition and its symptoms. While the latter is a good goal, it’s important to remember that online screening tools are no substitute for seeing your doctor, psychologist, or neuropsychologist. If you’re having any sort of symptoms, seek medical help.
Still, since screenings can be educational, and scoring an interesting result on an online screening can encourage people to see their doctors, psychologists, or neuropsychologists for professional screening, I’m posting this link to Mental Health America’s online screenings. They include screenings for:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar Disorder
- Psychosis
- Eating Disorder
- PTSD
- Alcohol and Substance Use
- Childhood Emotional Disturbances
Please use these screenings responsibly and do not assume that if you score well on a screening that you do not need to speak to a professional. If you have any questions, please see a professional.
Finding out you have a mental health issue may seem scary at first, but it is better to find out early, so you can get help early. Often doctors and psychologists can help prevent a condition from stopping you from reaching your true potential in life.
Check out the screenings here:
For Physicians: Screening Measures vs. Neuropsychological Testing Referrals
Question: As a physician, I use an in-house test for Alzheimer’s disease. Why would I need to refer a patient for neuropsychological testing?
Many physicians use the Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) or similar brief screening measures when a patient or patient’s family members bring up memory concerns. However, physicians may consider referring a patient to neuropsychological testing for many reasons, including the following:
- The MMSE test is not very sensitive, missing between 23 and 55 percent of Mild Cognitive Impairment, which can be an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative disorders
- Read more