[piano97]

Got a letter today that they scheduled me for a mental exam next week. Luckily it's here in town. Has anyone had this and what was it like? Is naturally making me nervous already but not as much as some other letters I've gotten from them. I'm in a better place this week after having a couple rough weeks with mixed symptoms. If anyone has any guidance I would love to hear!!

[piano97]

Also, is this a 'good' sign, 'bad' sign, or just neutral? I applied in the latter part of August.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Mine was dumb because he asked me a ton of questions regarding memory but didn't ask much about my bipolar, PTSD or anxiety nor give me time to explain so I was initially denied.

Appealed with attorney and huge stack of ip records and won in a few short months

[piano97]

Thanks for your information on this. I've read some things that all mental disorders have the exam, other places I read say only sometimes. My memory is not great anymore, I think from lamictal but I could be wrong, but basic cognitive stuff I do OK with when I'm well. I've actually hit a nice normal period the last several days which feels great. This is the stage where I don't think I have bipolar and I want to work. I also know, that these periods last 2 weeks tops and then the cycle starts over again, and another month or two has passed. But back to this consultation, how long did it take for others and what did they ask? My dx now is BP1 with rapid cycling. I'm on Lamictal 400, risperdal 2, klonopin 0.5. PRN risperdal and klonopin when I need it.

[Yoda]

I applied for SSDI in 2000 and I never had to seen a pdoc except my own. I was approved on my first time diagnosed with ptsd and bipolar.

good luck on your exam

[piano97]

Glad to hear you got through on first time. Am hoping for the same. Therapist said it will go through on first time, so I'm trying to stay upbeat on that possibility.

[Unrigged64072835]

I didn't have an exam but I submitted a lot of my medical records, my IP discharge sheets, and a couple of evaluations. I won the second round, which from what I heard was pretty rare.

[fishin fool]

I had the exam and found it kinda silly.
There is no way they can make a real diagnosis based on this exam.
It was really pretty simple and no big deal.
You will be fine.

[piano97]

Thank-you. That makes me feel better. What kind of questions do they ask or what was it like?

[Cocosurviving]

It took me four times to win but they just requested doc, therapy and hospital records. However I have a cousin that is schizophrenic. He had to have the exam but said it was not stressful

[piano97]

I went to the mental exam today. It lasted about an hour. Some memory and cognitive testing. Mostly questions about symptoms and day to day activities. I cried or started to several times. She was very nice. It was in a nice office in town. I had heard of a lot of dumpy locations and weird examiners. I thought she was very professional. She said at the end that she agrees I have Bipolar 1 and will write a report in the next 3 days.

[raspberrytorte]

I'm happy your exam went well!

I haven't been scheduled one. I'm hoping I can get out of it.

[piano97]

I didn't ask but I think they usually do exam now days. Ecspecially if haven't gotten records from MD quickly. I hope that this is the end of all the questions and paperwork but I have no idea. My therapist had said it would take 2-3 months total. It's about 7 or so weeks in so I'm hopeful.

[piano97]

I just remembered this but I think it is a good sign that she said at the end she didn't have any concerns about me managing my money.

[piano97]

I did good on the memory tests. I messed one up. I did not do so well counting backwards 100 by 7's. I got lost at some point. She said it's OK and is a concentration thing.

[piano97]

Now I'm worrying some, which does no good, that I didn't do or say the right things or that I left something out. I'm sure this is normal stuff.

[fishin fool]

It is normal to be worried a bit but it sounds like everything went well.