How a General Psychiatry Assessment Can Help You in Understanding Mental Health Conditions
A General Psychiatry Assessment is an essential first step in understanding mental health conditions, receiving an accurate diagnosis, and accessing the right support. If you're experiencing symptoms that are affecting your daily life, this assessment can provide clarity and guide your path to better mental well-being.
At Matter of Health, our experienced psychiatrists use a comprehensive, holistic approach to assess your mental health. Whether you're unsure of what you're feeling or suspect you may have a mental health condition, a psychiatry appointment can help you uncover the root causes of your struggles and support you in understanding mental health conditions that may be affecting you.
What Is a General Psychiatry Assessment?
A General Psychiatry Assessment involves a detailed evaluation of your mental health. It typically includes a conversation about your emotional well-being, any symptoms you're experiencing, and how these symptoms are impacting your life. Through this process, your psychiatrist gains a full picture of your experiences, which helps them determine potential diagnoses and suggest suitable treatments.
At Matter of Health, we follow NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) to ensure every assessment is evidence-based and thorough. This structured approach ensures no aspect of your mental health is overlooked, helping us focus on truly understanding mental health conditions in context.
Symptoms to Look Out For
You might be wondering whether a psychiatry appointment is the right step for you. If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, a General Psychiatry Assessment can support you in understanding mental health conditions that might be contributing to how you feel:
Persistent low mood or sadness
Feelings of anxiety, worry, or panic
Irritability or mood swings
Difficulty concentrating or feeling mentally “foggy”
Changes in sleep — sleeping too much or struggling to sleep at all
Changes in appetite or weight
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
Feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or hopeless
Unexplained physical symptoms, like fatigue or aches
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Increased use of alcohol or substances to cope
Struggles with attention, focus, or restlessness (possibly linked to ADHD)
Obsessive thoughts or repetitive behaviours (linked to OCD)
Emotional distress related to past trauma
If any of these symptoms resonate with you, it might be time to explore what’s going on with the support of a qualified professional.
What to Expect During the Assessment
Your psychiatry appointment typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes and includes an open conversation about your mental health, background, and the challenges you're facing. Your psychiatrist may also carry out a Mental State Examination (MSE) to better understand your mood, thoughts, and overall wellbeing.
For a more detailed step-by-step breakdown, read our blog:
👉 What to Expect at a General Psychiatry Appointment
🧠 Mental Health Tests You Can Try at Home
If you're unsure whether you need a General Psychiatry Assessment, you can start by trying a few quick self-report tools. These tests are widely used in clinical settings to screen for symptoms — and while they aren’t diagnostic, they can help you begin understanding mental health conditions that may be affecting you:
PHQ-9: Depression Test
GAD-7: Anxiety Test
OCI-R: OCD Symptoms Test
These tests can give you a clearer picture of how you’ve been feeling and may highlight the need for further professional support.
Why a General Psychiatry Assessment Is Important
A General Psychiatry Assessment plays a key role in understanding mental health conditions accurately and holistically. Instead of relying on guesswork or internet searches, this professional evaluation gives you a clear sense of what’s going on — and what might help.
By receiving the right diagnosis, you can make informed choices about treatment. Whether you're managing depression, anxiety, sleep issues, or something else entirely, knowing the “why” behind your symptoms is the first step toward recovery.
At Matter of Health, we take a whole-person approach — we don’t just look at symptoms. We consider your lifestyle, stressors, personal history, and goals so we can recommend support that genuinely fits you.
Treatment Options After Your Assessment
After your General Psychiatry Assessment, you'll receive a clear and personalised treatment plan. This may include:
Medication: If appropriate, your psychiatrist will talk you through medication options and support you with careful monitoring.
Therapy: We offer a range of therapies delivered by specialists in CBT, integrative psychotherapy, and more, depending on your preferences and needs.
Nutritional Support: Good nutrition can play a powerful role in emotional stability, energy, and focus. We offer nutritional therapy to support both body and mind.
Fitness and Wellness: Movement can be transformative for mental health. Our fitness programs are designed to support mood, motivation, and overall resilience.
Understanding mental health conditions is the beginning of long-term, meaningful change — and a General Psychiatry Assessment is your first step toward that understanding.
