What is a Holistic Assessment?

[Alfie]

i've recently been transferred from the eating disorders unit to mental health services, im new to all this so im just wondering what is an holistic assessment and what will it include?

im pretty worried to be honest, i suffer with BPD and i dont know (obviously) how i will be feeling on the day of the assessment and im not sure whether this will sway or optomise the treatment i will be offered?

[Tig]

I think it means using several different treatments/activities/etc and it's tailored to your needs. So they will assess you for you, and not just have it done by the book and stuff. I'm sorry ~ this is a rubbish explanation. I know exactly what it is in my head but struggling to put the words to paper - well computer! I hope someone can explain better.

[Tig]

(I think it should be the same as any assessment really)

[roiben]

A holistic assessment looks at what treatments and therapies would be suited to you, including things like occupational therapies, acupuncture and hypnotherapy as well as the more standard DBT/CBT Psychiatry therapies.

Roiben x

[espoir]

Holism itself is a philosophy in which the person is considered as a functioning whole rather than composites of several systems. Currently Mental Health services are trying to incorporate this philosphy in to their way of working.

Therfore Holistic tratment/care is basically what all healthcare should be anyway and its just a technical term to basically say they will assess treat the whole person not just focus on the problem/problem area. Its about assessing and taking in to account your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing and the fact that you are an individual and that there are both external and internal factors that impact on your health.
Basically it will probably be no different to anyother assessment youve had as technically all assessments should be holistic.

Hope all goes well for you.
take care
x

[Alfie]

thanks everyone