Social Security is sending me to see a psychiatrist. Can anyone tell me what goes on at these appointments. I've never dealt with any kind of therapy. My doctor and my pain management doctor want me to see one as well. They both say I've been through a lot and I should talk to someone. Thank you

I was also sent to a psychiatrist for an evaulation for SSD. I spent about thirty minutes with him and it involved him asking me questions and that was it. I have had to have counseling in the past because of my condition and the fact that I have been going through surgeries for it since I was in my early thirties. I can't speak for others but the appointment with the psychiatrist wasn't a bad experience at all for me.

I think it is good. My appeal lawyer said that you have a better possibility of getting Social Security if you have depression especially if hospitalized for it. So maybe them sending you is a good sign.

When I went to see the psychiatrist for SSD he did not ask me one question about my mental health while I was there. He asked about Presidents, math questions and things that made no sense to me why he would be talking about the things he was asking me about. However, if you don't go they will deny you anyway. It was not a pleasant experience for me as I had been seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist for quite some time. I am now fighting for SSD with an attorney. My attorney advised that they normally deny the first time normally as they are hoping you will give up and not fight it. I am fighing it as I cannot work per my pain doctor and my therapist. I have been off work for 13 months now.

Good Luck to you.

Thanks for the replies, I'm actually kind of relieved. I was thinking about seeing one, my back injury is starting to wear me down. I'm starting to loose hope on finding some kind of relief. I'm starting to isolate myself from everyone.

I also isolated myself. I went from being a very active person to one who didn't want to leave my house. I really can't say enought about how the psychiatrists and the counselors have helped me deal with the changes in my life that my disability brought. I know counseling is not for some people but it surely helped me.

and please don't lose hope. My pain management doctor put me on methadone several years ago and it has helped me tremendously. There is an answer for you out there somewhere.

Michael8466 ""Thanks for the replies, I'm actually kind of relieved. I was thinking about seeing one, my back injury is starting to wear me down. I'm starting to loose hope on finding some kind of relief. I'm starting to isolate myself from everyone...""


I have been seeing a Psyc about every 6 months and a Therapist/Psychologist every week or every-other week for the pas 2 years. Before that I saw the 2nd about once a month, with about a year off any therapy, out of total frustration.

I've been dealing with a major back njury and resulting failed back surgery, for about 25 years. I've not worked the last 23 of those. Once you add in all the "residuals" that crop up after an injury like that (or any serious injury/illness) like nerve damage (Neuropathy), chronic pain which helps cause depression which can lead to chronic depression, ect ect, ect..... All that tends to "make you nuts", though not "Off your nut", so to speak. There's not a thing wrong with needing someone to talk to when things get bad and pain increases, you have to change your life/lifestyle or you just need a sounding board. DO NOT let anyone tell you that you are "less of a person" by seeing a "professional".

I have to tell you that for almost 10 years, until the last 2, I felt like I was the Poster Child for "the drug of the month" club !!!!!!!! Some of those meds made things soooo much worse for me, that I DID go into a state of being almost a total recluse. I didn't leave the inside of my home, unless it was to a doctors appointment ... and a case worker drove me... I quit driving all together for almost 6 years. THen, about 2 -1/2years ago I got "state assisted in-home help" (which turned out to be more like "in home hinderance" the last year (thru Dec 2006). I had completely shut down and didn't see anyone, didn't go anywhere, barely opened the shades and curtains and basically lived on whatever someone would bring from the local food bank, plus coffee in the morning (helps with my morning pain). Basically, the only person I really saw for sometimes 2-3 months, was the case worker.... once a month.

Pain and disappointment in whatever is going on around you and the lack of understanding by those closest to you is enough to make you draw back and want to "fade out" of the picture. SOmetimes it seems much easier than having to deal with "life" on a day to day basis. Trust me on ths point ..... it's a horrible way to spend your life. Like you, I was a VERY active, kids, sports, gardening, animal oriented person with a VERY active, outdoor job that I LOVED !!!!!! That all changed in the blink of an eye, once I got hurt.:eek:

It took a long time before the depression kicked in. But time, circumstances, pain increase, injury "residuals", major decresae in mobility.... took a toll. Looking back, I may (or may not) have been able to "handle" things a little better ......... but I have to say that talking to a professional was one of the best things I ever did for MYSELF. If your insurance will cover it or you can get your doctor to say that he/she believes it would be in your best interest to help you DEAL with your disability .... BY ALL MEANS find a good one. Even if you have to see many of them, DO IT !!!!!!! But find one who will "listen" to you. If you are hearing "bla bla bla .. nananana .. bla bla bla":nono: Then that isn't the therapist/psych for you.

This has gotten really long .. sooooooo I'll end this now. If I can help anyone with "how to pick a great therapist/psych", I'd be happy to talk about it. I do believe they play a key roll on helping you "get through your pain" the best way you can. Nothing is a "miracle cure", but your mental health plays a HUGE role in how you feel, or how much worse you feel".... what ever the disability.

My best to you and all ...
dis '85 :)

ps .. to Jenn4508 ... they ask you those types of questions to "test" your mind, thinking, to see if you have any memory problems can distinguish real from imagined .... things like that. It seems to be a "standard". (short answer)

Hi!

Just so I understand - are you being sent to a Pdoc for an evaluation? I'm assuming that that is what it is, as I have never heard that SSD sends people for therapy, only to have an eval.

Here's the thing - I was sent to what I thought was a psychiatrist, too, (I found out later he wasn't) and I went thru similar testing to what Jenn4508 told you she did. It all seemed silly, pointless and more as a way to test my intelligence than anything else. I had GAD and depression...so how was this type of exam going prove anything?!?! When he decided I could work I was angry and frustrated...and when I saw the A L J, I told him in no uncertain terms that this supposed "pdoc"s testing in no way addressed my issues. So, he sent me to a *real* psychiatrist where I had extensive testing which clearly was an accurate way to assess various psychiatric disorders.

The Pdoc will ask you MANY questions and it is a quite lengthy process. Additionally, you will fill out several pages of questions - in fact, it was so long that she said I could take it home to fill out and return the next day! (I have physical disabilities, too, and couldn't sit there that long.)

So, if this is the type of testing you have, you will know that it is appropriate...otherwise ask for it, especially if the ??? (whatever he is!!) doesn't rule in your favor. Good luck to you!!

Char :wave:

You were right, it wasn't a psychiatrist. The man from SSD made a mistake. It was a psychologist who had nothing but tests for me to do. I thought it was a total of waste of time. How is knowing what the Koran is going to help me or who Cleopatra was?. She told me to take a seat because it was going to take at least 4 hours. I told her I wasn't going to be able to sit that long. She didn't like that, I didn't care. I told her I could sit on the couch if she liked. She agreed and loosened up from there. She actually turned out to be a nice lady, but it was still a waste of time.

Hi

Yep, I had a feeling this was who they would send you to. Did you get the impression it was your intelligence being tested more than anything else? Did you have to do any kind of puzzles? Were you asked inane questions such as what would you do if the house cought fire, or you were going to be late to an appt., stuff like that? Honestly, I felt insulted. NOTHING this guy...whoever he was...asked me made any connection to depression or anxiety. If this person rules unfavorably, meaning she feels you can work, then ask to have complete psychlogical testing. Good luck to you!

Char :wave:

I hated that puzzle and memory tests. I don't know what they consider being depressed, but these tests they gave me wouldn't give them any answers. She did ask me if I get angry at times, I told her yes. I especially get upset when I have to wait when I'm at an appointment. She then asked me if I was upset because I had to wait for this appointment. I told her yes, I don't generally like waiting 35 minutes in my condition. She apologized and then said I hope you feel better.

SSD sent me to a shrink for testing just like a previous poster mentioned, a bunch of questions that tested my mental skills but she also asked me lots about my history/family/etc. We spent more time on that than testing. Her report was mostly favorable but she did say she felt I *might* be able to manage a low stress/non public job. When my atty had me tested, only about 15 min was spent on intelligent testing and I told him when I knew that I didn't have exactly the answer he wanted but I knew I was "in the ballpark" so to speak. He spent about 2hrs talking about my history and we had to stop several times because I was so upset. He told my atty I have chronic major recurrent depression and that I needed meds (I have them now and feel a little better). He also told the atty that he doesn't believe I was faking my reactions (I wasn't). Some things upset me so much that I was in tears and visibly shaking. My counselor has told me that of all her patients ever, I have more real reasons to be depressed than anyone else she has treated. I think both were surprised that I hav enever been suicidal. The fact is, I have wished I could just curl up and the world go away but the only reason I have never been suicidal is because of my responsibilities to my family, too many people depend on me.

Anyways, depending on the results, testing can be a big help. The ALJ was able to see I have seriously one downhill since seeing their shrink and I think that was the major reason I got approved.

I was anti-counselor. I had always solved my own problems. Well surgeries, chronic pain, job loss etc. was more than I could handle. I was making everyone around me miserable. Although I wasn't told to see a counselor, I reluctantly decided that all I was going through was more than I could handle. She helped me sort through everything and found me a pain support group. I have one more appointment with her and I feel she has helped tremendously. BTW my family thinks she has helped too.
Going can help your case. Just be honest!