Psych Evaluation Monday - Help!!!

OK... I have my psych evaluation on Monday 6/1 w/ Dr. Gary Santivicca.

I'm worried about what I should say and not say.  Before you shake your head, I'm having some issues - it's like my faith has been waning and it's affecting my mental or vice versa.   Let me explain.  My self confidence is shot. Gone. Kaput.  So, when I say I "hear voices", I don't mean literally.  I mean that it's an inner fuss.  Like one part of me is you are so ugly, fat, dumb, not worth anything (and let's  not even go about the faith part - thinking I'm not worthy of God - I know, we're all not, but my thoughts will get out the box with that one).  The other side will say no, you are pretty, smart, got it going one, you are worthy of God's love, etc.

My mom is like in her opinion what I'm going through is a spiritual/faith battle (and friends tend to agree) and I'm letting the devil win.  She and friends are like even though spirituality has some place in mental, my battle isn't mental and no I'm not crazy - it's a test to see if my faith will persist through the storm and that I shouldn't even bring that up.

So yes, the talking to myself is usually to calm me down and fuss @ myself for getting the negative thoughts out.

But, should i even bring this all up?  What's the purpose of the evaluation?

*I would NEVER hurt myself physically.
*I don't drink often (too scared - alcoholism runs rampant on one side of the family)
*I'm not really a stress eater (but that might be refuted.  When I'm stressed,  I'm fatigued - due to fibromyalgia, so I don't cook.  Then I either eat fast food or go to McDonald's.)
*I'm a crave eater - I crave, I eat and I might not touch it for another 6 months - year (ex - pound cake  - gotta bake one b4 surgery.  And I don't eat the whole thing - 1/2, yes over a 5-7 day time frame.  The other 1/2 I give to co-workers).

Do I have cause to worry?  It's stressing me the hell out.  Please help!!! What do I need to expect?

I do not know what to tell you about the psych evaluation, because I did not have to go through one, but I will ask you this..

If you dig holes in the sand at low tide, 5 foot holes, 2 inch holes, 20 foot holes, when the tide comes in - what happens?

It covers them all.

Your Big Daddy does not give a rats ass about what you FEEL, He tells you what is TRUE.

You are His.  Before you came to be he knew you, and He calls you by a name that only He knows.  Your flaws are there to show His greatness and strength when you let them be used.  BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED.  By tending our wounds, He heals us.  You are his babygirl and he says to you STOP TRYING TO FUSS AND FIGHT SO MUCH!! 

Climb up in his BigDaddy lap and cry if you need.    You are distracting yourself with much to keep from looking in His face. 

Let Him snuggle you up and chuckle your chin.   You may have been taken to a lonely place so you do not have anyone else's opinion of you to lean on.  You may have been taken to the desert to woo you back.   By His grace, we come to know and love.

Give a little grace to yourself.  Be blessed, girlie.

And I hope someone has good answers for you about the test, and that maybe you can find some peace between now and then.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM THE PSYCH HERSELF,WAS THAT PATIENTS COME IN AND TRY TOO HARD TO PROVE THEY'RE NOT CRAZY AND FAIL,THEN THERE ARE THOSE THAT COME IN AND TRY TO MAKE THEMSELVES OUT TO BE A LITTLE LOONEY THINKING THATS WHAT THEY NEED TO BE IN ORDER TO BE RECOMMENDED FOR THE SURGERY AND THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO COME BACK MONTHS LATER TO DO THIS EVAL ALL OVER AGAIN SO JUST BE YOURSELF. DO NOT VOLUNTEER ANY INFORMATION,(ESPECIALLY THE TALKING TO AND FUSSING WITH YOURSELF,LORD)NO RAMBLING,AND CALM YOUR ASS DOWN LADY!!!LOL

They are trying to see where your head is as far as the surgery and your weight. All I did was be myself. I told them in loving myself I know that I need to lose weight. I know this surgery is the tool...key word "tool" not the way to help me lose the weight and keep it off. Don't tell them no more than they ask. Make sure you stress that you want to be healhty because I told them I am not seeking surgery to make me "look better," but to help me live longer and be healthy because all else has failed. They want to know if you are going to be able to with stand all the mental stress of not being able to eat like you may have before. You are very intelligent just relax and it will go smooth for you!

I agree with Papoose.  Just answer his questions as he asks them.  If he doesn't ask, don't volunteer information.  That being said, I think you should be honest about your answers and try not to "hide" anything.

I went to Dr. Santavicca and he was very nice.  I filled out a questionnaire and then spoke with him one-on-one.  I don't think our discussion was more than a half hour or 45 minutes.  Not sure if this is because he didn't feel the need to ask any other questions or if that is standard for him. 

I asked Dr. Santavicca if he would fax me a copy of his recommendation and he did a day or two after the eval.  Two things I remember from the letter were that he noted that I understood my surgery of choice, why I thought it was the best surgery for me individually, possible complications, changes in lifestyle that will be required, etc. .... and then also that we discussed my support system that I had in place for after surgery (friends, family, support groups, OH, etc.)

Try not to worry about it.  I'm sure you'll do great!

-- Laura

My eval was more about whether I understood the surgey and how it would affect my life and body, whather I had any food addictions, or eating disorders.   Also whether I had any intreated psych issues.  I have been taking meds for depression for years, but this was a non issue.


I was worried too, I thought my psych would be more analytical, but it was a breeze.  

As for your issues you're dealing with, I would encourage you to seek treatment, but from a different psych from the wls one.   I wouldn't mention them to the wls psych unless you really think you need more counselling before your surgery.

Thank you, all!

I will see someone after surgery (I have so many days I'm leaving work early, coming in late that  I don't wanna press my luck.  Plus, I tend to miss days with migraines or fibromyalgia).

I also need to find me a church on my side of town.  When I lived in Stone Mountain, I went to Voices of Faith almost every Sunday.  Since I've been in Douglasville - once a month I go to a church.  I like it - it's cool.  Now, my friend's church is by South Dekalb mall.  It's still 35 miles each way from me.  I'm gonna have to bite it and go, b/c I like that one better than the one in Austell.   I'm going to Voices tomorrow (60 miles each way - and I need to go visit one more time before gas goes up even more).

So, I'm going to try to work on my faith.  I've gotten answers left and right.  I think God is just waiting for me to take that step.

This is the year for me to get the total me right - mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, financially (well that one - maybe once the recession ends).

Again,  thank you all.

I've been sick so I'm just seeing this.  I hope your appt with Dr. Santivicca goes great.  Just be yourself and everything will be alright. 

If you are still looking for a church... When I go... I go to Turner Chapel AME in Marietta. 

Hey y'all,

Saw Dr. Santavicca today.  Nice guy - just ran 50 minutes late with  my appt.  I've never been by Atlanta Medical - and I won't be going back round there anytime soon!!!

Any rate, he said he can't commit me, that I was good to go, and to get my faith back in order, find a church I like and keep going.  Also after surgery resuming therapy (tried - hadn't found a good fit).  I'll have my report by midnight tomorrow.

Thanks everyone!

Although I often enjoy reading your post, I have concluded that you get in your own way and severely over think things. It is very annoying to read and at the same time very amusing. Just get through the process, have the surgery and get on with your life, It can be as simple as that.