Thanks to an increase in awareness and treatment options, mental illness is being diagnosed and treated at a higher rate than it has been in the past. Many mental illnesses are now better understood and much of the stigma surrounding them has dissipated as public understanding has increased.
Yet certain mental illnesses are still more disruptive than others, and this is particularly true when the person who suffers from a mental illness is also a parent of young children. In Illinois divorces or custody disputes, both parents’ mental health may be scrutinized carefully and their personal problems dissected in what can feel like a very public manner. If you are struggling with mental illness and wondering whether a psychological evaluation could be used against you, read on.
What Kind of Psychological Examination Can Be Ordered?
When the best interests of a child are in question, a judge may order a thorough mental health evaluation. A trained, qualified, and unbiased medical professional will conduct interviews, assign questionnaires, and request meetings to talk about your thoughts and feelings. They may request your mental health history, including past records of treatment or hospitalization, and may want to observe your behavior over an extended period of time.
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