Mention the term “cognitive assessment” or “IQ test”, and most people are likely to know it because it is very common today. It is a form of assessment used to establish a person’s cognitive ability, such as organization, memory, reasoning with visual information, and solving problems.
When a cognitive test determines that your mental health is poor, the doctor will recommend a raft of measures to improve it. Even as the popularity of cognitive tests increases, many people still have a lot of questions about them. Keep reading to get answers to the questions that you might have about IQ tests.
What is Cognitive Assessment Used For?
Cognitive tests are used for checking mild cognitive impairment (MCI). People suffering from MCI might experience changes in their cognitive abilities. Even when these changes are not so severe, it is important to note them because they might be indicators of more serious impairment s or problems, such as dementia and ADHD
What are the Main Causes of Mental Impairment?
Since IQ tests check the state of mental cognition, you might ask, “What are the causes?” Well, there are a number of things that can result in mental impairment, such as depression and head injuries. It can also result from blood vessels disorders, trauma at birth, and chromosomal abnormalities.
Should You Go for Cognitive Testing?
If you notice signs of cognitive challenges, it is important to go for an assessment. The assessment can help you with the following:
- Anxiety.
- Forgetting important events and appointments.
- Increased irritability.
- Losing train of thoughts during conversations, books, or movie.
- Losing things often.
How is a Mental Exam Done?
The process of a cognitive assessment might involve a number of steps depending on the subject. For adults, this can be completed faster because it is possible to prepare and provide most of the detail that the medical examiner requires. However, it might take a little longer for younger persons. See the main steps involved in mental assessments.
- Gathering background information. If it is a kid who is being assessed, the interview might be extended to parents and teachers to gather more information.
- Then, standardized tests are administered by a trained medical expert, such as a psychologist. Common tests used in mental assessments include the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test and Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE).
Once You Get the Results, what Next?
The step that follows a mental test depends on the results. If the results were not normal, it is an indication that your mental function has a problem. However, a mental exam cannot indicate with certainty where exactly the problem is. For example, if you are becoming very forgetful, the problem might be caused by something, such as ADHD or dementia.
To determine the exact cause of impairment, the medical expert in Hong Kong will run additional tests. Depending on the cause of impairment, it might be possible to address the problem using medication. However, some problems, such as ADHD, might require a combination of treatments, including a change of diet, use of exercises, and behavioral therapy.
If you notice any sign of mental impairment, it is paramount to seek help from a Hong Kong medical expert. An expert in mental health will run a cognitive assessment to determine if you have a problem and recommend the best remedies.
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