Question:
Psych Eval
Had a psych "eval" presurgery required, and had to take the MMPI -- what a waste of my sick leave time, whey can't this be sent out in advance. They had no table to fill it out on, I was given a dull pencil and a clipboard. Had filled another psych survey before I went in, that took 20 min. and took another 160 question survey on the way of my appt. that took another 20 min. I suppose the bill for all of that won't include a deduction for my sick leave hours from work. What are thinking? The chat with the counselor was boring and stilted since he hadn't seen any of my test results. Now I have to go back and see him again. This is from a world class instituion; I would have expected better. Has anyone else had this type of experience? If so, what did you do about it. — rickibe (posted on October 28, 2005)
October 28, 2005
I remember when I took that physc test I was thinking.... are they looking
4 serial killers? I didn't understand why either... for examply yes...
true I like flowers false I do not wish I was a florist. I will say the
physcologist who talked 2 me after my exam was very helpful. She said she
thought I was a little depressed.. not depressed just ..stressed..
everything happening in my life right now... my mom has cancer... my son
went off 2 college... empty nest syndrome... worry about bills...
counseling couldn't fix that. But... I did learn something from our
discusiion from her that has stuck with me. One.. if it don't out right
involve me stay out of it (and with a big Italian family... good advice)
and people who couldn't support this descsion for me 2 have surgery may be
the people that want me not 2 succeed... keep me in their safe zone.. not a
threat 2 their lifestyle. So basically what I am saying is hang in
there... you will learn some intresting stuff about yourself and be on your
way 4 surgery! Good luck 2 you and keep me posted! Remember this is all
about you & 4 you!
— KimY
October 28, 2005
i had to go for 3 visits. it was all very boring and very expensive and
took a hour each time.
— hjdj70
October 28, 2005
I was concerned when I read the comments of yourself and the other
respondees. Counselling is necessary, but the style and delivery of this is
a sensitive issue.
I am a counselor myself, and as well a consumer. I wonder whether the
counselor that you saw had any inight into your personal weight loss
situation and were they consumers also?
I had BPD some 8 years ago, revised from a band (after complications) and
at the time I wished I had the benefit of counselling from a suitably
qualified medical person who was also a consumer. It is a very hard call to
make. There are not too many of us around.
I wish you all the best in your endeavours to lose weight permanently and
return to good health as I have.
Good Luck
— Lise K.
October 28, 2005
What do you do about it? Suck it up and deal with it. I know very few
people who have been denied surgery based on psych evaluations but of those
few I do know of, they are the types who get wound up over such things -
things that are so inconsequential. Okay, so it's annoying but a necessary
evil right now. If you start championing this cause right now you risk
giving a negative impression for the evaluation. And yes, I know of a
woman who was denied even after the psych evaluation was passed. Her
doctor's office read this website and saw her vents and they canned her.
They also said something to her insurance co, so as far as I know she's
never had the surgery - and this happened March 2004. As for the sick
leave, that's what it's there for. If you are really concerned about using
it, use comp or make up the time. I'm sure your employer won't care, but
if it makes you feel better go ahead. You have to jump through hoops
sometimes and just wait to take up a cause. Doing it now just isn't wise.
Did you ever stop to wonder if maybe they do this on purpose to see who
will overreact to it?
— Dinka Doo
October 28, 2005
I hated that MMPI test. It was the most stupid test I have ever taken. I
went in with confidence and most of the questions were not black or white.
Some to me had no t or f answer.I just check one when I had no idea. Like
had I ever fainted, 40 yrs ago I did, and so I marked yes. That was one of
the things the psych talked to me about, how stupid. I failed the first
test, then went to another psych and he thought I did too well on it. HOW
could you cheat on a test so dumb? Then he said I needed to go on a dr
supervised weight loss diet and exercise plan, after I had already been
thru that. The surgeon sent me a letter telling me I had to do it and to
see a dr that I would have had to drive 2 hours to. My new insurance did
Not require it! I dumped them and went to another dr. I took a different
personality test, and it was much easier. the questions answers were like,
never, almost never, always, mostly always. It was much easier to answer. I
have been approved.
— geneswife
October 29, 2005
If you really want the surgery and want your insurance to pay for it,
you'll do what's required. Does that mean you have to like it? No, but it
sure beats the alternative.
— lil_firestorm
October 29, 2005
Did you go to a spychiatrist or psychologist who specializes in evaluating
people for wweight-loss surgery? Even if not, it is done with and you need
to move on. I went to a counselor four times post-surgery , since my
husban's company paid for it, with a copay of twenty dollars. I found ti
helpful just to speak with someone else so I did not have to dump on family
members.
— Novashannon
October 30, 2005
My experience wasn't too bad. I just felt bad because my Mom drove me and
she had to wait 2 hours. They could have said it would take that long. They
sent me alot of paper work by mail, so I'm sure that helped a bit. Though,
in the paper work it had a diagram of the front and back of a human body
and wanted to know where you feel pain or have problems. I had indicated
that I get rashes and he asked if I'd like him to check them out, he was a
bit too concerned with that I think FOR A PSYCHOLOGIST. The rashes were
between my legs! I told him no of course, but I thought that was a bit
strange.Anyhow,I had some question thing to do also. I don't know if it was
an MMPI,but there were like 570 questions!!! Dumb questions! I don't HAVE
to go back, but he suggested that I go to some kind of Behavior
Modification counciling because of all the changes that I've gone through
and will be going through.(quit smoking and drinking,not an alcohlic,social
drinker only, not a big deal quitting that, smoking aaahhhhh!!!!) The
evaluation wasn't my favorite thing yet it was a necessay evil to get my
life back! I guess sometimes we have to do things that really suck, just
keep your eye on the big picture!!!Hang in there and take care!
Lisa
— Lisa Michelle
November 2, 2005
I lucked out on the psyc eval as I am already seeing a counselor and
psychiatrist for a former mental break down however believe me the surgery
is a massive change to your life style and you will need those specialists
after the surgery. The tests are meerly to test your ability to put up with
the hurry up and wait game at the psycs office. Even people who are not
trying to have gastric bypass surgery get those same generic tests. Some
of the insurances require the specific psyc tests before you have the
surgery. I am about ready to jump off a bridge I am so screwed up from the
surgery. I haven't been able to eat for several days more than a teaspoon
of anything makes me vomit. My nerves are frasiled and if it wasn't for
the counselor I would be lost.
— vickicarson
November 26, 2005
I am also at UW Madison, I have BCBS of MI PPO. They are paying 100% of
everything for me as I have met my 05 deductable. I went for the psych
eval, I did 2 "tests" that took about 1 hr 15 min altogether,
then met with Gretchen-the psychologist. For me it was really smooth and
quick. I was refered to UW Mad in Sept of 05, and have a Dec. 6 surg date.
Good luck to you and feel free to contact me.
— Brenna
November 26, 2005
I am also at UW Madison, I have BCBS of MI PPO. They are paying 100% of
everything for me as I have met my 05 deductable. I went for the psych
eval, I did 2 "tests" that took about 1 hr 15 min altogether,
then met with Gretchen-the psychologist. For me it was really smooth and
quick. I was refered to UW Mad in Sept of 05, and have a Dec. 6 surg date.
Good luck to you and feel free to contact me.
— Brenna
November 27, 2005
Thank you all for your responses. I feel I should write a follow up on my
OWN question! I had my second psych. appt. and it went much much better.
Maybe because I didn't feel so defensive about my weight; maybe because I
felt I had done well on the tasks I was given previously; maybe because I
felt more of a connection to the counselor. I guess I didn't know what to
expect, and I am always looking for that in new situations. I have started
moving ahead on getting ready for surgery, and am proud of myself for doing
so. Thank you all for your responses; even to the gal that told me to suck
it up! Good advice. --ricki
— rickibe
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