Went for my mental evaluation

I went today for my mandatory mental evaluation for gastric bypass. The doc passed me for the surgery and said that I was well educated when it came to knowledge on the surgery. Big Smiles for me... BUT...three and a half hours later I walked out of her office with a diagnoses of Post Tramatic Stress Syndrom. What a shock to me... She says it comes from the events that she and I discussed from my childhood. She says that it is probably the cause of me being over weight my whole life. I didn't turn to alcohol or drugs so I turned to food...she says that I should start counsling as soon as I get this surgery taken care of.She told me to look for someone closer to my home to do the counsling but if I can't find anyone she would take me as a patient. Has anyone ever heard of being diagnosed with with a mental disorder after just one visit to the doctor?

Sharon, I don't know how many times you would have to go before they would be able to diagnose you with a mental disorder. I think we all have some underlying causes of our being overweight. If all the counseling and support you get with WLS doesn't work you might think about what she said. Otherwise I might think she wants another patient. Hang in there and don't dwell on this. Gloria

I think we all can use all the support we can get and if you can find a one on one counselor that has an experience with WLS patients and/or who specializes in dealing with stuff like you went through from your childhood - - I'd say that it couldn't hurt. I think your mental evaluation turned out pretty well if she said that she recommends you seeing a counselor AFTER your WLS and not actually preventing your WLS. Her saying that if you couldn't find anyone - -she would take you on as a new patient...I think is just a back-up because she does deal with WLS issues on a regular bases and since she was able to recognize in you the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, maybe she knows something about it as well. Have you did an online search looking for more information on "Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome?" If you've got a computer with an online connection -- tons of online resources are at your finger tips and most without any additional cost other than taking the time to read the information. There's also tons of online support chat groups dealing with about any issue you could possibly ever think about -- and the trick is to find what works best for you for dealing with whatever issues you're ready or willing to explore at that given time. This mental stuff is in the "recovery" area and there are 12-step groups that meet both online and world-wide face-to-face that help deal with certain issues...and they don't cost anything -- other than time (and the online connection if you're doing this online). I just think the person doing your mental evaluation wants to make sure you have the strong, safe support system that you need to be successful after WLS and in life because - - most of us that have made it this far in the WLS process -- HAVE issues other than just our weight. The mental stuff can kill us if we aren't taught how to work through our past issues so we don't have to be ruled by them in the future. I wouldn't take anything she said as a negative but as a wake-up to take care of yourself and to make sure you have the support system that you need to meet your goals in life. 'Hang in there.

Thanks for all the support. I have been online all afternoon reading up on PTSS and it's so weird. I do have alot of the signs of it. I just never knew that until now. I guess today was a real eye opener for for me for sure. I am definately gonna look in to setting up some counsling after tis surgery process is over with if not even before. Thanks again guys and all the best of luck to you as well. ~Sharon