What is a mental health screening?
A mental health screening is an exam of your emotional health. It helps find out if you have a mental disorder. Mental disorders are common. They affect more than half of all Americans at some point in their lives. There are many types of mental disorders. Some of the most common disorders include:
Depression and mood disorders. These mental disorders are different than normal sadness or grief. They can cause extreme sadness, anger, and/or frustration.
Anxiety disorders. Anxiety can cause excessive worry or fear at real or imagined situations.
Eating disorders. These disorders cause obsessive thoughts and behaviors related to food and body image. Eating disorders may cause people to severely limit the amount of food they eat, excessively overeat (binge), or do a combination of both.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is one of the most common mental disorders in children. It can also continue into adulthood. People with ADHD have trouble paying attention and controlling impulsive behavior.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This disorder can happen after you live through a traumatic life event, such as a war or serious accident. People with PTSD feel stressed and afraid, even long after the danger is over.
Substance abuse and addictive disorders. These disorders involve excessive use of alcohol or drugs. People with substance abuse disorders are at risk for overdose and death.
Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression. People with bipolar disorder have alternating episodes of mania (extreme highs) and depression.
Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders. These are among the most serious psychiatric disorders. They can cause people to see, hear, and/or believe things that aren't real.
The effects of mental disorders range from mild to severe to life-threatening. Fortunately, many people with mental disorders can be successfully treated with medicine and/or talk therapy.
Other names: mental health assessment, mental illness test, psychological evaluation, psychology test, psychiatric evaluation
