[HALLIEBETH87]

I am collecting my medical records to use in my filing for disability. I have been referred to a lawyer who might work with me. He doesn't bill you until you win. The person who referred me has used him and he is a good guy. I am so nervous about all of this but I will try my best. :/

I was looking at one of my files and it said my GAF was 30 and later 40. Isn't that kinda low?

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

I am collecting my medical records to use in my filing for disability. I have been referred to a lawyer who might work with me. He doesn't bill you until you win. The person who referred me has used him and he is a good guy. I am so nervous about all of this but I will try my best. :/

I was looking at one of my files and it said my GAF was 30 and later 40. Isn't that kinda low?

its just a way to explain what was going on for you the day you took the test.. heres a link that explains GAF...

GAF Index

keep in mind this was the standards in the DSM IV TR. your present treatment provider can explain what the new GAF breakdown of numbers mean.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by HALLIEBETH87

I am collecting my medical records to use in my filing for disability. I have been referred to a lawyer who might work with me. He doesn't bill you until you win. The person who referred me has used him and he is a good guy. I am so nervous about all of this but I will try my best. :/

I was looking at one of my files and it said my GAF was 30 and later 40. Isn't that kinda low?

sorry for the double posting but I hit submit reply before I was done..you can also go to your library and look in the DSM 5 section III...the GAF scoring system isnt called GAF anymore and it has been changed to give a standardized assessment that doesnt break things down into 5 axis/categories. now each mental disorder has its own severity scale and assessment testing. based on what you score on those severity tests thats what your functionality/severity of mental disability that day is.

your treatment provider can give you those tests,

[Perna]

I don't know how that works or for what purpose, found this scale:

https://www.msu.edu/course/sw/840/stocks/pack/axisv.pdf

Originally Posted by amandalouise

its just a way to explain what was going on for you the day you took the test.. heres a link that explains GAF...

"The GAF is a 100-point tool rating overall psychological, social and occupational functioning of people over 18 years of age and older. It excludes physical and environmental impairment."

-as that states, the GAF is not what is going on a particular day. It is almost a snap-shot of how you are able to be productive in the world, care for yourself, etc.

The word global indicates "the entirety of the world" but in this case refers to an individual in the world, so it can describe, very generally, how well a person can function in all arenas.

Also: even if a scale or assessment tool is no longer in use, results from such tools are still valid and relevant now, since they were determined using a valid scale/tool.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by JosieTheGirl

"The GAF is a 100-point tool rating overall psychological, social and occupational functioning of people over 18 years of age and older. It excludes physical and environmental impairment."

-as that states, the GAF is not what is going on a particular day. It is almost a snap-shot of how you are able to be productive in the world, care for yourself, etc.

The word global indicates "the entirety of the world" but in this case refers to an individual in the world, so it can describe, very generally, how well a person can function in all arenas.

Also: even if a scale or assessment tool is no longer in use, results from such tools are still valid and relevant now, since they were determined using a valid scale/tool.

here is what we in New York State are using instead of the GAf...

Online Assessment Measures | psychiatry.org

as you can see what used to be one giant psych eval that tested and placed a person on a multi axial charting system is now broken down to many different assessment tests that test where that persons functionality is with in the scope of their having each of the mental disorders..

short version is that treatment providers here in america are switching over from using the DSM IV TR ways to moving into using the DSM 5 way of doing things...

on psych evals since the DSM 5 took affect instead of seeing....

Axial I.....PTSD dsylexia
Axial II...borderline personality disorder OCD
Axial III....high blood pressure, epilepsy
Axial IV.....no support system, high school graduate
Axial V....GAF 30

you will see the score of each individual assessment test taken which will amount to what severity/functioning level you have in each area being tested.....something like this.....

amandalouise scored 25 out of 40 on the PTSD severity/functionality assessment. this puts her in the (mild, moderate, extreme or severe) range.

some treatment providers may be converting off of the GAF system to the new individual assessments instead of the multi axial way (GAF) at a slower rate then others so yes in some places GAF is still valid (and will always be valid for any psych evals that happened before the new DSM 5 took affect in Maym 2013...

any psych evals after may 2013 do not have the multi axial assessment known as GAF.. and the GAF will not be valid because its not the american psychaitric associations approved standard any more.

Originally Posted by amandalouise

here is what we in New York State are using instead of the GAf...

Online Assessment Measures | psychiatry.org

as you can see what used to be one giant psych eval that tested and placed a person on a multi axial charting system is now broken down to many different assessment tests that test where that persons functionality is with in the scope of their having each of the mental disorders..

short version is that treatment providers here in america are switching over from using the DSM IV TR ways to moving into using the DSM 5 way of doing things...

on psych evals since the DSM 5 took affect instead of seeing....

Axial I.....PTSD dsylexia
Axial II...borderline personality disorder OCD
Axial III....high blood pressure, epilepsy
Axial IV.....no support system, high school graduate
Axial V....GAF 30

you will see the score of each individual assessment test taken which will amount to what severity/functioning level you have in each area being tested.....something like this.....

amandalouise scored 25 out of 40 on the PTSD severity/functionality assessment. this puts her in the (mild, moderate, extreme or severe) range.

That is all very informative and is appreciated.

It seems though, that there may be misinterpretation of what I wrote and that the perception is we are not actually saying the same thing [highlighted in each quote]… I am curious as to why that is. I will attempt to clarify with formatting.

some treatment providers may be converting off of the GAF system to the new individual assessments instead of the multi axial way (GAF) at a slower rate then others so yes in some places GAF is still valid (and will always be valid for any psych evals that happened before the new DSM 5 took affect in Maym 2013...

any psych evals after may 2013 do not have the multi axial assessment known as GAF.. and the GAF will not be valid because its not the american psychaitric associations approved standard any more.

Originally Posted by JosieTheGirl

Also: even if a scale or assessment tool is no longer in use, results from such tools are still valid and relevant now since they were determined using a valid scale/tool.

I did use the past tense ('were determined') which indicated that I was referring to past use of the GAF and scales in general, though maybe I could have been a little more clear.

[HALLIEBETH87]

oh my. I am so confused. The lowest GAF I have seen on my records thus far has been 25.

You should find out whether or not a lawyer is worth hiring when you initially apply. Consider what is the initial approval rate for disability in your state? I did not hire an attorney until I was denied the first time around, as everyone in my state is denied the first time around (unless they are dying).

Your medical records are going to be seen as the most important element when applying for disability, so healthcare providers who back up your disability claim with thorough notes that support your diagnosis are extremely important.

I did get a GAF score on an evaluation that I was ordered to take in July 2013, so it's not true about it not being used after May 2013. However, it's not very important in the overall scheme of things as it was really used as a snapshot of how I was doing at that moment, not overall.

[HALLIEBETH87]

May I ask what state you live in? Just curious. I am in KY!