Question:
Does pre-existing depression affect psychiatric evaluation?

I've had some issues with depression in the past, and been on the medication. I had an episode this past summer which almost resulted in hospitalization. Been on meds and seeing a psychaitrist/counselor for approximatley 2 months. I met with my PCP yesterday and discussed starting this process. He said I may want to wait 6 months because they require a psych evaluation, and I've had an episode recently. Has anyone else had experience with this?    — fantum (posted on September 3, 2005)

September 3, 2005
I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about. Just be very up front with the psych doc. I have bipolar and take meds, see a therapist and a psych doc regularly. Being honest helped! He felt that I was being responsible by seeing these docs and following through so he said he felt it would be no different with the surgery. Also, he said in a way my situation was helpful because therapy really helps you go through all the changes! Good luck!
   — sunkissed kid

September 3, 2005
I have had clinical depression and anxiety since I was a child. I suffered many years with so many episodes I can't remember. I starting on medication in my early 30's and have continued on it since my surgery in July 2001. I was very honest about my depression/anxiety and that I see the p doc on a regular basis for med checks. I had no problem during my evaluation. Not everyone is this forthcoming during their evaluation and I think it is a personal decision, I will tell you that I was very fearful that for some reason I would be denied. Hopefully others will answer your question so you can get a good sampling of opinions. I wish you all the best. I'm not sure about waiting...for the evaluation the 6 months I personally don't think that's necessary..life has it's ups and downs and depression is an episodal disorder/disease.
   — Karen Renee

September 3, 2005
Oh..just wanted to add..Sunkissed Kid is very right about making sure you are seeing someone after surgery since it is very helpful while experiences these new changes from surgery.
   — Karen Renee

September 3, 2005
I have suffered from depression for many years and see a psychaitrist and theraphist they are actually the ones who did my my psych eval for my surgeon he was more than willing to accept it from them, he told me they probably knew me better. So if it comes up with your surgeon you might ask him if this is possible for you. Nancy
   — nefish

September 3, 2005
I also take meds for a psych condition, it didn't affect my psych test at all. I look at it like all of the other testing they make us do. They require us to make sure our diabetes is under control if we have it, they want out blood pressure under control if we have high blood pressure... it's the same thing. You are receiving treatment for your depression, and depression is very common among obese people because our weight and the social stigma it carries can be an additional stressor on top of everything else. I have a copy of my pscyh eval and how my psych wrote about my mental health intervention if you want to read it. Send me an email if you do.
   — Shayna T.

September 4, 2005
I agree with the prior posts. Just be honest and maybe you can even get your own psychologist to do the eval if not then again, just be honest. I am having a very hard time mentally with post-op. The surgery was successful but like everyone says "it doesn't fix your head" which is so true. That is why being honest is important - feel free to read my journal for details about what I am referring to. Anyway, my doc has his own psychologist and I had to see her and it was only 15 minutes long and she knew about my meds and all but because I have major support from family and friends then she didn't see a problem. Good Luck, Kelly
   — Kelly MzKelz Valdez

September 7, 2005
Make sure you go to the psychiatrist that your surgeon recommends. I just pulled a name out of the phone book and he refused to okay the surgery because of my history of depression.
   — SJP

September 9, 2005
I was on anti-depressants at the time of my psych evaluation. I told the psych Dr. that I thought I was depressed from years of weight gain and hating my body, but now that I was approved for surgery I was happier and looking forward to it. That night I decided to stop the meds and Ive been depression and med free for 3 years.
   — KissBabe