Hi

I got a letter from Disability stating that I am going to be scheduled for a full psychological exam. Although I see a licensed clinical social worker, Disability wants an exam done by a psychologist or a psychiatrist. I do deal with depression so I am sure it is in my doctors' records and I put in in my own paperwork. My claim is primarily for physical disabilities, but depression also plays into it.

I don't have a problem with the exam, although I am a bit edgy about it. I don't handle any family finances or the checkbook anymore because I make too many mistakes, get tired and foggy quickly. I have told them this. I guess I am edgy because I don't know what they are looking for. I am not a babbling idiot (yet!). What happens in these exams? I feel like I am going to be put on display and it is kind of upsetting to me.

Can anybody shed any light on this for me?

Thanks
reach

PS You know, I think this whole process is enough to put one in depression, even if it wasn't there to begin with. Yikes!

Well, I almost didn't answer this but I want you to be prepared. I went to one back in 2001. I mean I have suffered from mental illness my whole life, it's in my family. We have depression, agoraphobia, ocd, panic disorder, anxiety disorder and so on. Not only did he say I was okay, he said I was just lazy and did drugs. I don't smoke or drink or do drugs everyone knows that too. I was devastated and my lawyer let my appeals lapse so I went away and volunteered to do animal rescue for 5 years until my physical health became so bad I could'nt work anymore.
I refiled back in 2006 and didn't have to take another mental exam, I don't know why. Now you may have a nice person, I don't know but my advice would be to just be yourself and tell him/her all your problems. They asked me questions like who is president and who is vice president and I forgot what else. I have bad memory problems but the questions are pretty easy I think.
I am sure you will more than likely have a more professional pschologist than the one I had.
I walked into his office and freaked out. Not only did he have penguin things all over his office, he himself looked like one. I was intimidated right off the bat. He was the one who needed the exam. That made a dent in my mind for the rest of my life.

Well when I went for mine she asked me stuff like what did you do last christmas, whats the date, simple memory things, although i couldnt remember.lol.

but she also asked things like

People in glass house shouldnt throw stones: what does that mean...
Like 5 or 6 of statements like this, early bird gets the worm: meaning...

name 5 past presidents.

count backwards from 100 by 7's

gave me three names of states, then at the end of the session i had to repeat them to her.

just things to test your memory.

then she just asked like what do i do daily.

nothing to be worried about, youll be fine...
I only remember becuz it freaked me out so much..lol.

yeah, i agree. When I went to me exam the office was being remodled...the dr was well seemed like she needed her own doctor..

she rushed through it all and that made it worse on me...
i dont know what her report said, but i had no confidence in her.
you cant cram a whole life history in that amount of time.

maybe youll get lucky and get a good one, but from what i hear they are all about the same.

they wanted the answers to be black or white, and well sometimes life isnt that way theres alot of gray.

Hey there, I saw a psychologist last year and thought I was going to lose it. I was roughly seen for 3 hours. There were many tests, from history to building blocks. I was pretty drained at the end. As I was about to leave she asked me "what makes you happy", I had no answer. I just shook my head and the tears started to flow. I've been depressed since I can remember. I received a letter from SS saying "although you may feel some discomfort from your injury you are able to find employment in your past career as an office mananger". I've been through 2 rejection letters and now waiting for a hearing. I wish you the best with your visit.

I was sent to one of these mental exams a few yrs back by ssa.At that time
it took 3 hours.I have known of people having exams lasting 30 to 45 min.
The man was extremely old.I believe he was retired and did these exams for extra income.
He was nice but very slow.There were alot of memory tests,math,saying things in order,placing pictures in order,reading and answering ? of what you read.It was like an SAT test or IQ test.
My results stated that although I could not follow complex directions...I could follow directions sufficent enough to work.And that my medications were partly the cause of not being able to follow complex ones.
I do have some depression which was mentioned,but not in a such a way to interfere with working.
My basis for benefits were physical in nature.I felt the exam was a waste of time.MB

Hello Michael

Thank you for the response. I have no idea how long I will be seen. On the letter I got, it stated on top, "memory and leaning scales to be included." So I guess that at the least those things are going to be tested.

I think some degree of the frustration I have is that it seems a dead end to know that some quality of life has been restored since I have not been working. Because I can rest at will, I can deal better with the depression and the pain. One thing that is totally predictable for me is that trying to work on a steady basis causes such fatigue that my thinking gets totally foggy and my pain increases greatly. Arguing for quality of life does not seem to be a valid criteria for the Disability folks.

And how the heck is "discomfort" measured????? I think most of us understand the difference between discomfort and pain. How demoralizing to have pain discounted to the level of discomfort!

I am sure that for you, like me, this whole process so easily increases the depression. I am trying to just roll with it, but it does get to me harshly somedays.


I wish you well with the hearing. I know that is towards the end of the process??? It amazes me to read that the same information that is submitted in the beginning can go through two denials and then be approved at a hearing. What is it a judge can see that a medical person and an examiner fail to understand????

I am sorry for the long time of turmoil you have met in this process and for your ongoing depression. I have dealt with depresssion and battled it for 12 years now. I know that since I stopped working, it has improved in my ability to cope with it. Hoping your hearing turns out as an approved case and tyou are able to finally exert your energy into feeling better for you and not trying to prove to the government that you speak the truth.

Best, best wishes
reach

Hi Maebelle

I read the other day that if any mention in any slight way at all is in doctor records concerning patient depressed, no matter how slight, will be followed up with an exam. Maybe that is why you had to go?

My claim is for a combination of things physical and for depression. I received no letter asking me to go for a physical exam. I don't know if that means they have fully accepted or fully rejected the physical portion.

I don't resent going for the psycholgical exam. What I resent is that how can an honest evaluation be made taking this exam in such an unrealistic setting??? There is a BIG difference between sitting fairly calmly in a psychlogist's office and working in a real world, pressurized work atmosphere.

Thanks for sharing what the exam was like for you. Will it be a waste of time for me or something that helps? Got me. My therapist, who is a licensed clinical social worker, filled out the papers for me with great care and detail. However, because she is not a physician, they are not accepted. My family doctor prescibes all medications for me, including an antidepressant. So he countersigned the papers as the prescibing physician. and agreed with her findings. Because the two do not work out of the same office, his counter- signing was not accepted. Geesh!

Well, the exam is next Tuesday. It is on my calendar to remind me, but I am going to try and just not think about until then.

Thank you for sharing. I think a darn nation wide support group needs to be formed simply for those of us going through this process!

reach

Hi All: This is weird, I was never asked to get an exam from any doctor from SSD. I went for my hearing today. I wonder if it is because I have a psych Doctor as well as a therapist. Who knows. i just don't get why they have to have you see their Doc. Is your not good enough?

I so feel for all of you. There is no way I could answer all those questions. It is so unfair.

I wonder if every state is different.
Jeane

I heard that they have to have an opinion from a DR. to make a decision. If you do not have your own DR. /psychiatriast, then yes they send you to theirs... and it is THEIR Doc so be prepared for their Doc to have an opinion against your disability. It happened to me. I couldn't afford a psych. so I had to go see theirs and she asked me questions and I was in a horrible depressed state. I hadn't bathed and couldn't fix myself up. I've gained 30 pounds. I've been fired umpteen times. Anxiety. Mind racing. etc etc Well, soon after I got a letter ruling that I can work. It pretty much doesn't matter what you tell their Dr. If you have to see theirs b/c you don't have your own then you are going to be ruled against. I now have an attorney and waiting for a hearing date -it could take another two years.

hi,oh yeah I had this,WC sent me to their quack,he told me I was Bi polar,nothing about my back,I said what about treatment for this problem,Oh no he said,I can't treat you.its a joke,anything to keep you from getting what you broke your butt for.Ridiculous

Hello! About a year ago I was approved for disability and had to go through a psychological exam too. I had applied due to mental problems (Severe anxiety,depression,agoraphobia) and I too was dreading the process because I am unable to leave my home unless I absolutely HAVE to. I am sure things differ from state to state. But my experience took about 30 minutes and was relatively painless.Lot's of stupid questions like "Do you know where you are?" and "Do you know why you are here?" Mostly I think they needed me to elaborate on my problems and background. I was approved immediately, so I was either extremely lucky or crazy! Take a deep breath, and dive in. But remember to elaborate. Make your problems clear and do not be afraid of sounding crazy. Good luck to you and God bless you!

hi lemonpepper,you really can't leave the house?I got anxiety issues,somme depression.I can't be up high like a hospital for instance,stupid stuff,driving over a bridge,fast highways,the more lanes less i will go.I'm definitely nuts.

Hi apccalypto22; Yes, I really can't leave the house. My mailbox is on the street and I can't even bring myself to go thru the yard to get the mail. I am trying to get better by challanging myself with baby steps and medication. Hope you feel better...