Why is an Accurate Mental Health Diagnosis Important?

When left untreated, mental health conditions can progress into severe, complex cases. Seeking treatment early on in your mental health journey is the first step to living a life free from debilitating symptoms. However, you must receive a diagnosis before treating your mental illness. Visiting a mental health care professional ensures that you will receive high-quality mental health services and an accurate diagnosis. 

Who Can Give an Accurate Mental Health Diagnosis? 

Accurate diagnosis and treatment of mental illness can only be achieved by a professional who has specialized in mental health services, such as a board-certified psychiatrist or psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. These mental health professionals are trained to recognize signs of a wide range of mental health conditions and can provide effective care to patients based on their diagnosis. 

How is Mental Illness Diagnosed? 

To be officially diagnosed with a mental illness, your mental health provider will evaluate your symptoms and make a diagnosis based on those symptoms. They will talk you through your symptoms, including how long the symptoms have persisted, the severity of the symptoms, and how your day-to-day life is affected. Symptoms can manifest in physical, mental, and emotional forms, and can sometimes be the result of several factors. As a result, this diagnosis process takes extensive skill and experience that only mental health specialists obtain.   

Once a condition has been diagnosed, your provider will work with you to create an effective treatment plan. Treatment may involve talk therapy, medications, or more advanced treatment options such as TMS or ketamine infusion. 

Why the Right Diagnosis Matters 

An accurate mental illness diagnosis determines every aspect of your treatment plan, from the treatments type to its duration. This prevents time wasted on the wrong course of treatment and allows you to receive effective care and long-term results. You shouldn’t have to accept mental health services that produce an inaccurate, unclear diagnosis. 

If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from a mental illness such as depression, anxiety, or another condition, Serenity Mental Health Centers can help. Our highly trained, board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners are experienced in providing accurate diagnoses and treatment options for a variety of mental illnesses across a wide range of patients, including patients who have struggled to find successful results in the past. Contact us today to schedule an  immediate appointment!