[ScarletPimpernel]

In about a month I have to do a psychological examination. It's to determine if I still qualify for disability. I'm scared. For one, I only remember doing it once, but that was 15 years ago. And it was to be admitted to county mental health, not SSI. I only remember one stupid question "why doesn't moss grow on a rolling rock?" I have never had to be tested by anyone, at least not knowingly. And my T and Pdoc do NOT get an input.

Does anyone know what a psychological test entails?

Is it like a worksheet questionnaire, but someone is reading my body language while doing it? Should I bring papers detailing my past mental health?

My biggest fear is them just telling me I'm lazy. I am. But am I so lazy that my symptoms aren't really debilitating? Wouldn't getting my history from my doctors be more useful than me answering some questions? Like right now I'm going through a really bad period. I'm suicidal. But just because I say I am, doesn't mean they'll see it. How can someone who doesn't know me, judge me?

I know they're just picking on me because this is the first review I've ever had (guess I got lost in the system for 15 years), and my disability is depression. I don't even know if BPD is considered a disability. Is it? 15 years ago it wasn't. But this whole thing is overwhelming me.

I also have another problem. My depression is extremely atypical. I can be at my lowest and still smile and laugh. What if they can't see the pain past that? They should right? I mean, they do testing all the time. And I know I'm not faking it. No one has ever accused me of faking anything... except one time, 15 years ago, when I said I wasn't SA'ed, they said I couldn't be BPD. That was from a mental health counselor and not a T or Pdoc.

I'm just panicking.

[OliverB]

I would give them your medical records or history so they can see you are having many problems -and you are not lazy-.

I have a psychological exam next month for the same reason than you. I asked my pdoc to write something about my metal health because -me too- smile and laugh even if I am so low I don't eat for days.

[A18793715]

Originally Posted by ScarletPimpernel

In about a month I have to do a psychological examination. It's to determine if I still qualify for disability. I'm scared. For one, I only remember doing it once, but that was 15 years ago. And it was to be admitted to county mental health, not SSI. I only remember one stupid question "why doesn't moss grow on a rolling rock?" I have never had to be tested by anyone, at least not knowingly. And my T and Pdoc do NOT get an input.


Does anyone know what a psychological test entails?


Is it like a worksheet questionnaire, but someone is reading my body language while doing it? Should I bring papers detailing my past mental health?


My biggest fear is them just telling me I'm lazy. I am. But am I so lazy that my symptoms aren't really debilitating? Wouldn't getting my history from my doctors be more useful than me answering some questions? Like right now I'm going through a really bad period. I'm suicidal. But just because I say I am, doesn't mean they'll see it. How can someone who doesn't know me, judge me?


I know they're just picking on me because this is the first review I've ever had (guess I got lost in the system for 15 years), and my disability is depression. I don't even know if BPD is considered a disability. Is it? 15 years ago it wasn't. But this whole thing is overwhelming me.


I also have another problem. My depression is extremely atypical. I can be at my lowest and still smile and laugh. What if they can't see the pain past that? They should right? I mean, they do testing all the time. And I know I'm not faking it. No one has ever accused me of faking anything... except one time, 15 years ago, when I said I wasn't SA'ed, they said I couldn't be BPD. That was from a mental health counselor and not a T or Pdoc.


I'm just panicking.

you'll be okay. I had to do mine a few months ago and I freaked out too because it was the first time in like 6 years. I way overworked myself up. It was nothing. They basically just asked questions about how I'm doing and if my symptoms were still the same, etc.

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[ScarletPimpernel]

So today was the day. First off, the guy was creepy. We sat down and he asked why I was applying for SSI? I told him I'm already on it. Then he asked what meds am I on. After that we talk a little about depression. He tries to tell me I have Bipolar? I told him I don't experience mania. Then he asks if I have Borderline which I say yes. We talk a little about the symptoms. He asks work history and hospital stays. Then we do stupid memory/concentration exercises. Repeat back truck, strawberry, elephant. Repeat back a sequence of numbers. If candy costs 10 cents, you buy 2 with a dollar, how much do you have left. Repeat back the words that was said before. And that's it... 10 mins. In 10mins this guy gets to decided my financial fate! It's not fair. We barely talked about anxiety and depression. We barely talked about my SI and SUI thoughts. We barely talked about my history. It's done. I don't get to say anymore. Now I wait to hear the decision. Why couldn't they just trust my T and Pdoc? They would know best. This just isn't fair.

[Waterbear]

That sounds ridiculous to me and it is a crying shame that people have to face these kind of 'tests'. It is too common and, in my opinion, it is not right at all. As you say you have experts working with you and they who should be consulted and listened to. It isn't right.

[divine1966]

This isn't a proper psych evaluation. Ten minutes? My students have theirs every 3 years and it's sure not 10 minutes. My fiancée had his done few times. Certainly can't be properly done in 10 minutes

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[MobiusPsyche]

It might be a good sign. Ten minutes could mean they're going to approve your continued benefits.

If they tried to deny continued benefits based on an exam that short, you would definitely have grounds for an appeal.

When I got SSI, many years ago, my exam by an external person lasted about 30-45 minutes. It was less extensive than any other psych eval I'd ever had done. I think that was because they already had all of that other data in front of them.

[ScarletPimpernel]

Originally Posted by MobiusPsyche

It might be a good sign. Ten minutes could mean they're going to approve your continued benefits.

If they tried to deny continued benefits based on an exam that short, you would definitely have grounds for an appeal.

When I got SSI, many years ago, my exam by an external person lasted about 30-45 minutes. It was less extensive than any other psych eval I'd ever had done. I think that was because they already had all of that other data in front of them.

I hope it's a good sign.

This guy didn't even know I was already on SSI. He thought I was applying. He also didn't know my diagnoses. He thought I was Bipolar! My Pdoc told me to concentrate on the depression, but the guy was more concerned about the BPD. I don't think you can get disability for BPD. He asked generic questions like "Do you have unstable relationships?" or "Do you lose interest in things you used to enjoy?". But he didn't ask for any details. We didn't even talk about my lack of social supports.

I might talk to the guy on my case at social security, and tell him it only lasted 10mins.

[christina_m]

I would just take a deep breath, I had to go though a lot of those. The more you get into the testing the more you may like it. That's just me though. The only thing that I did not like was it took a very long time. I don't know if your's well. good luck though.