Mental Health Tests as Important Assessment Tools
In order to accurately conduct diagnosis, prognosis and assessment of symptoms, mental health professionals have developed various types of tests that are apt to the needs of each mental health issue. Obviously, only the subjects within the concern of a specific issue are covered in the tests. Here are some of the basic categories of mental health tests:
Neuropsychological Tests
If a neuropsychological cause is suspected in an individual, the clinician would use a paper-and-pencil test to determine any deficit in sensorimotor and cognitive capacities. These may include a tendency to disregard one or several items in a visual field or attention problem. Among the most common neuropsychological tests is the Bender-Gestalt Test which aims to asses the person's sensorimotor skills by making them reproduce nine drawings.
A person who may have a diagnosable mental illness may be able to reproduce different figures, change the positioning of the figures drawn or change the parts of some of the figures copied. After this activity, they would be asked to remember the image. Most people with mental disorders usually have memory deficits. While this test may not sufficiently identify the specific type of brain damage among people assessed, it is a reliable tool to conclude that a person may or may not have brain damage.
Intelligence Tests
While the use of intelligence tests is usually more productive in educational and industrial settings, it is however useful in determining whether a person is mentally healthy or not. In the clinical setting, these tests are used to have an insight on the person's intellectual capacities, strengths and weaknesses especially when mental damages are suspected. These tests normally were designed to measure basic intelligence, abstract reasoning, verbal fluency and spatial memory. Results from intelligence tests are used in identifying to which bracket of intelligence a person belongs. People with relatively low scores on IQ tests have some forms of mental disability while those scoring way beyond the average individual may have lower susceptibility to the development of mental disorders. However, this should not be taken as a generalization.
Symptom Questionnaires
The most prevalent type of test these days, symptom questionnaires is used by clinicians and laymen alike. In their original forms, symptom questionnaires are used to directly asses whether a person manifests or feels symptoms of a specific disorder. However, such questionnaires could also cover a wide variety of symptoms from different mental disorders.
Personality Inventories
These are questionnaires that are helpful in assessing people's typical manner of behavior, thinking and feeling. These provide the fundamental information on assessing a person's well-being (a very important aspect in mental health), ways of coping, self concept, perception, attitudes, beliefs and vulnerabilities.
Versions of these personality tests are normally seen on online resources. In fact, many people get their mental health assessments from these resources. While these may be helpful as self-help tests, many of the mental health tests on websites are not validated and may have low reliability. These are powerful tools however many are not tested for their validity and reliability. If these two important concepts of psychological testing are not met, the purpose of the test may be defeated.
In case you are using online tests, please be aware that it should be PhD-certified or PhD-approved. Any other types of certifications confirming that someone expert in the field of psychological testing has given his approval of the tests are helpful.
Companion Remedies for Anxiety, Depression
MindSoothe - Promotes balanced mood and feelings, as well as healthy levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters
PureCalm - Aids nervous system in stress resistance for balanced moods and feelings of well being
Serenite Plus - Promotes healthy sleep and peaceful nights
Sleep Tonic - Helps maintain a healthy balance of all hormones involved in healthy sleep patterns
Managing Stress & Anxiety - A recent study showed that medical students who learned techniques used in this program significantly reduced stress. And blood samples revealed their immune systems became stronger the more they practiced the techniques!
Mood Tonic - Optimizes nervous system health and promotes balanced mood and peacefulness
Core Inner Strength - Through the focused attention made possible through professional hypnosis, you can begin to see your own worth, and attain your own optimum levels of self-esteem.
Nerve Tonic - Promotes nervous system health, maintains balanced mood and worry-free mind
The Calm Within CD - Offers professional relaxation, visualization and affirmation techniques for self-help and stress reduction
Beyond the Baby Blues - This 2-CD program is designed to lift your spirits, comfort your soul, and create the necessary balance needed while you are adjusting to your new life and new baby.
Comments
Menu
Mental Health Articles
Mental Health Nursing: The Roles Of Psychiatric NursesExercise And Mental Health: Are There Connections?
The Budding Disorders: Mental Health Of Children
Tips On Online Researching For Mental Health Articles
What Is Mental Health: Key Concepts In Mental Health
Mental Health Courts: Separate Justice System
Mental Health: Not Just The Absence Of Mental Disorders
Mental Health America: A Review Of Mental Health In America
Perspectives On Mental Health Recovery
An Overview Of The Mental Health Assessment
Hobbies For The Elderly To Maintain Mental Health
Alternative Mental Health Care Solutions
Tips On Taking Care Of Mental Health
Mental Health Tests As Important Assessment Tools
World Mental Health Day 2008
3 Major Focuses Of Recovery For Optimized Mental Health
Understanding Single Parent Psychology And Mental Health
Overview Of Mental Health Counseling
Winnebago Mental Health Institute – Its History And Development
Benefits Of Mental Health Support Groups
Mental Health Statistics: How Common Mental Disorders Are
What Are Mental Health Jobs?
What Effects Does Nutrition Have On Mental Health
Causes Of Mental Health Disorders
Mental Health Articles An Overview Of The Mental Health Assessment Mental health assessment is conceived only through a series of tedious.. World Mental Health Day 2008 Celebrated during the 10th of October, mental health day is an international.. Mental Health: Not Just The Absence Of Mental Disorders Most people think that mental health only applies to those people who have.. |
|
|
Related News:
|
