[Berries]

For my pdoc's residence exams whe is going to make me her project. i'm getting neuro-psych testing done to re-evaluate my diagnoses--schizoaffective disorder, OCD, PTSD, ADHD which i've had for 20 plus years.
I am so worried about it. So worried. Full of "what ifs"
Does it make a difference to neuro-psych testing if you are on or off meds?
What if I turn out to be perfectly normal or just a wee bit depressed and a little anxious?
Will my T drop me? Will my pdoc take my meds away?
Will my mom kill me for putting her thru such grief all these past 20 years?
Will you stop being my friend?
Will I be able to keep from killing myself for being a faker all these years?

[bridgie]

Oh. What if it reinforces that all of this past has been necessary. Try to think positive that there is more they can do to figure things out. Good luck.

[Knitnut]

Neuro-psych testing is use to evaluate BOTH psychiatric and neurological functions.

I have neuro-physh testing planned for late November 2009. This is being done because I have a neurologist who feels I don't have Parkinson's disease; this after 21 years of diagnosis.

"Neuropsychological testing is an important component of the assessment and treatment of brain injury, dementia, neurological conditions, and psychological and psychiatric disorders. Neuropsychological testing is also an important tool for examining the effects of toxic substances and medical conditions on brain functioning." Tons more can be read here: http://www.psychologistanywhereanyti...euro-psych.htm

[Rohag]

Hi, Berries! Your post provoked a little "walk down memory lane" - dug through some of my notes/records and found the bits about my neuro-psych testing performed in 2002. Mine also involved a resident, along with a fully-qualified neuropsychologist.

The language of the results was technical but indefinite. To paraphrase: "This finding is consistent with this, this other finding is less consistent with that, results do not completely rule out but are inconsistent with..., these types of problems are deleterious to functioning..., recommend further testing and therapy in this area, etc." In short - in my case - the neuro-psych tests provided me and the doctors who took the time to read them guidance for deciding the general directions of future medical-psychological investigation, medication and therapy. No new or altered diagnoses emerged from my testing.

Also, none of the tests concluded that my remaining friends or family ought to abandon me.

Take heart, dear Berries. The general nature of these types of test is inconsistent with the complete collapse of your world, certainly not the PC part of it.

[trevorzero]

Ultimately, Berries, only YOU are in charge of your life.

If a medical/psychological professional offers you an opinion that makes sense, then embrace it. If the opinion does not make sense to you, then reject it.

I think you will probably benefit from this evaluation. It will provide you with new information and new insights. This is a good thing and you should welcome it.

[Berries]

I should re-name this thread. It isn't just neuro-psych testing i am worried about.

What i am worried about it the fact that my longstanding/current diagnoses are being re-evaluated to see if i was misdiagnosed. Neuro-psych testing is just part of it.

Sorry for the miscommunication. My fault.

I can barely breathe i am so scared about this and no one on earth seems to understand. No one. I feel so alone.

[Berries]

Originally Posted by Rohag

Also, none of the tests concluded that my remaining friends or family ought to abandon me.

Take heart, dear Berries. The general nature of these types of test is inconsistent with the complete collapse of your world, certainly not the PC part of it.

Thank you (((((rohag))))) for saying that.

[depressedalaskan]

((((Berries)))) This is a good thing. I will take your place. I want them to fix me. I want me back. I am sure that you are not faking anything. Take the free ride and see were it takes you. If they can cure you please share that with all of us.. hugs for your day...

[turquoisesea]

((((((((((((((((((((((Berries))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[Lost71]

Originally Posted by Berries

I should re-name this thread. It isn't just neuro-psych testing i am worried about.

What i am worried about it the fact that my longstanding/current diagnoses are being re-evaluated to see if i was misdiagnosed. Neuro-psych testing is just part of it.

Sorry for the miscommunication. My fault.

I can barely breathe i am so scared about this and no one on earth seems to understand. No one. I feel so alone.

Originally Posted by depressedalaskan

((((Berries)))) This is a good thing. I will take your place. I want them to fix me. I want me back. I am sure that you are not faking anything. Take the free ride and see were it takes you. If they can cure you please share that with all of us.. hugs for your day...

((((((Berries)))))) I understand. I'd be scared too. It's bad enough coping with everything we have to cope with without worrying on top that we've been mis-diagnosed or that it's all been in our head.

I think alaskan is right. The thing to focus on is no matter what happens, this is a step in the right direction to being able to give you the help you need and maybe make you well again.

((((Berries)))) I really do know how scarey this is. I've never played the game with my mental health team. I either blow off the appointments or fire them all and have to go through the system from scratch again. And all because I'm scared senseless by it all.

Sending you lots of strength, care and hugs, my friend, along with lots of wishes for a happy result.

[googley]

((((Berries)))))
My previous boss did neuro-psych testing. I don't know what the exact set up of your testing is, but I will let you know how it works for him. What he does is both psych and neuro-psych testing. Once the testing is done he writes up a report. That report gives his impression of psych or neruo-psych test results. They are never themselves used to make treatment decissions or medication changes. The clinician who is working with the client is contacted with the information. It is then up to the clinician to make any changes after (hopefully) speaking to the client. Where my boss works the client would come in for results so they know them also. The testing never dictates anything. And Rohag's experience of having a report that is very indifinitive is also true. I hope the testing goes well and you don't get too board. I know the appointment itself can be most or all of the day.

[Mindtravler]

I don't know who I am anymore. The things I thought important, i care not about them. I am tired and want sleep. Real sleep, not pill sleep. I wake up like someone turned on the light and its just light. I have no dreams, no rememberance of anything after the pill. So if that testing could help, don't be afraid. Pray about it, pray that all comes out well to support all that you are experiencing,

[ADHD1956]

I had the Neuro-Psychological test done 4 years ago; no problem, it can be fun! You will do just fine.

[Naturefreak]

(((Berries)))
Here with ya .

[lynn09]

((((Berries)))) - I hate to see you all worked up and playing the "what if" game - it always ties you in knots. There is very good reason to look forward to the neuro-psych testing. Yes, some of your diagnoses may change - not because you have been faking - not because you were misdiagnosed in the past necessarily - but because during the past 20 years, the fields of psychiatry and neuro-psychiatry have advanced so much. For example, before the discovery of diabetes, many people who had diabetes were institutionalized as schizophrenics. Those who were re-evaluated and found to have diabetes and received the appropriate treatment were then freed from those institutions and were able to live relatively normal lives. As knowledge and understanding progress in both physical and psychiatric medicine, various diseases and conditions are "resorted" and even renamed so that appropriate treatment is provided to the patient. Your retesting and re-evaluation is a very, very good thing (((((Berries))))) - they may be able to better pinpoint the real causes of your problems and provide new meds and treatments to address them more appropriately according to current knowledge. Just because your diagnoses may change to some degree, it just means you are being diagnosed and treated more appropriately possibly with different meds and maybe even a different direction in therapy. This truly is something to look forward to having done. Please try to relax and see this as the good thing that it is. Let us know how things are progressing.