How Is Mental Illness Diagnosed?

When you visit our clinic to be diagnosed with a mental illness, we will first give you a complete physical exam. Some physical problems can affect mental health, and treating those, it can completely resolve your problem. Next, we will do a series of lab tests to check on various functions of your body, like your thyroid. We will also screen for drugs and alcohol, which can significantly impact mental health.

Next, our providers will give you a psychological evaluation. A mental health professional will talk to you about your thoughts, feelings, symptoms, and behavioral patterns. We may also have you answer a series of questions in advance for our providers to examine and review with you.

It can take a little time to determine precisely what you are suffering from. To give you an accurate diagnosis, we need to gather as much information as possible from you. This information will guide our diagnoses and prepare our providers to treat you. At Success Health System LLC, our mental health professionals will conduct thorough evaluations, including discussions about your symptoms, medical history, and any recent life events that may be affecting your mental well-being. This collaborative approach ensures that we understand your unique situation and can create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

At Success Health System LLC, our board-certified psychiatrist, Dr. Moses Tabe Ambilichu, M.D., offers a range of services to support your mental health needs. These services include personalized treatment plans designed to address various emotional and psychological challenges.

Neurodevelopmental disorders – This class covers a wide range of issues that generally begin during childhood or just before the start of school. Things like ADHD or learning disorders would fall into this category.

Depressive disorders – These disorders interfere with how you feel emotionally. They can disrupt your ability to function by affecting how happy or sad you feel.

Anxiety disorders – Excessive worrying or being focused continuously on possible future danger is usually labeled as anxiety. It may cause the person to avoid situations that cause anxiety completely.

Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. Hoarding, hair pulling, and OCD are all related to this class of mental health concerns. They are denoted by repetitive actions, thoughts, obsessions and preoccupations.

Trauma- and stressor-related disorders – This area of mental illness involves a person who is having trouble coping after a significant stressful life event. This would include those who have PTSD.

Medications can play a significant role in managing mental health conditions, but they do not cure mental illness, unless it is caused by an underlying illness or disease. Instead, medications are designed to alleviate symptoms and help individuals cope with their condition more effectively. By reducing the intensity of symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or mood swings, medications can make it easier to engage in other forms of treatment, such as therapy.

The type of medication prescribed will vary depending on the specific mental health issue and how your body responds to treatment. It may take time to find the right medication and dosage that works best for you. With the right approach, medication can significantly enhance the effectiveness of other therapies and improve overall well-being, but it should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of mental health.

At Success Health System LLC, we are committed to providing a supportive and understanding environment for all our patients. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Creve Coeur MO, Independence MO, and Columbia MO. We serve patients from Creve Coeur MO, Overland MO, Bridgeton MO, Independence MO, Raytown MO, Kansas City MO, Columbia MO, Shaw MO, Midway MO and surrounding areas.