How to assess mental health

Psychological health can be comprehensively assessed through self observation, professional evaluation, social function analysis, emotional stability testing, and physiological indicator monitoring. The main evaluation dimensions include cognitive function, emotional state, behavioral adaptability, and interpersonal relationship quality.

1. Self observation

assesses psychological status by recording subjective experiences such as daily emotional fluctuations, sleep quality, and changes in appetite. Continuous low mood, decreased interest, or anxiety for more than two weeks may indicate psychological problems. Standardized scales such as the Self Rating Depression Scale can be used for preliminary screening, but it should be noted that there may be subjective biases in self observation.

2. Professional assessment

Clinical psychologists will use a combination of structured interviews and psychological tests for evaluation, with commonly used tools such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Test and the Symptom Self Rating Scale. Professional assessment can identify common psychological disorders such as anxiety disorders and depression disorders, and quantitatively analyze the degree of cognitive impairment.

3. Social Function Analysis

examines real-life functions such as work and study efficiency, family role fulfillment, and social activity participation. Social dysfunction is manifested as decreased work efficiency, avoidance of socializing, increased interpersonal conflicts, etc., often accompanied by emotional or behavioral abnormalities, and is an important objective indicator of mental health.

4. Emotional Stability Test

measures emotional regulation ability through standardized experiments, such as emotional face recognition tasks, stress response tests, etc. Emotional regulation disorders manifest as irritability, emotional outbursts, or emotional numbness, which may be related to diseases such as bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

5. Physiological indicator monitoring

Physiological parameters such as heart rate variability, cortisol levels, and electroencephalogram can assist in evaluating psychological status. Long term stress may lead to autonomic nervous system dysfunction, manifested as physiological changes such as abnormal sleep brainwaves and elevated levels of stress hormones, which require comprehensive psychological assessment for judgment. Maintaining a regular schedule and balanced diet can help maintain mental health. It is recommended to engage in moderate aerobic exercise every week and cultivate mindfulness meditation habits. When experiencing persistent emotional distress or a decline in social functioning, it is important to seek professional help from a psychological counselor or psychiatrist in a timely manner. Establishing a stable social support network, regularly participating in group activities, and avoiding long-term high-pressure environments can effectively promote the maintenance of mental health.