This site has been developed with the support of Wakefield Healthwatch citizen’s panel and partner organisations across Wakefield District. If you have any feedback on the site please email adultsocialcare@wakefield.gov.uk
Diagnosis
If you have any signs or symptoms of a mental illness, go and see your primary care provider or mental health professional.
If a mental illness is left untreated, it may get worse over time and cause serious problems
NHS service finder - Wakefield District Health & Care Partnership (wakefielddistricthcp.co.uk)
Before your appointment, make a list of:
- Any symptoms you or people close to you have noticed, and for how long
- Key personal information, including traumatic events in your past and any current, major stressors
- Your medical information, including other physical or mental health conditions
- Any medications, vitamins, herbal products, or other supplements you take, and their dosages
- Questions to ask your doctor or mental health professional
Questions to ask may include:
- What type of mental illness might I have?
- Why can't I get over mental illness on my own?
- How do you treat my type of mental illness?
- Will talk therapy help?
- Are there medications that might help?
- How long will treatment take?
- What can I do to help myself?
- Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can have?
- What websites do you recommend?
Don't hesitate to ask any other questions during your appointment.
During your appointment, your doctor or mental health professional is likely to ask you questions about your mood, thoughts, and behaviours, such as:
- When did you first notice symptoms?
- How is your daily life affected by your symptoms?
- What treatment, if any, have you had for mental illness?
- What have you tried on your own to feel better or control your symptoms?
- What things make you feel worse?
- Have family members or friends commented on your mood or behaviour?
- Do you have blood relatives with a mental illness?
- What do you hope to gain from treatment?
- What medications or over-the-counter herbs and supplements do you take?
- Do you drink alcohol or use recreational drugs?
Your doctor or mental health professional will ask additional questions based on your responses, symptoms and needs. Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your time with the doctor.