Question:
Has anyone had their psych eval test results come back as invalid?????

I went for my psych eval two weeks ago. She called me today and told me that the results of the test came back invalid... I am so lost how could that happen...I mean there were like 600 questions most of which I thought were absolutly stupid! I answered them very honestly. She is having me come back in to take another test. She told me that sometimes ppl try to play up their symptoms or that they try to answer the questions so that the results don't stand in the way of their surgery. I told her that I thought none of the questions hardly even applied to me. Then she told me that I could have just been off by a number when I was bubbling in the answer sheet...I DUNNO all I know is that I don't want them to tell me I am CRAZY and that I can't have the surgery!! Has anyone else been through anything like this plz help!!!    — Sabrina Plunkett (posted on August 21, 2003)

August 21, 2003
Hi, that is weird cuz I never had to have a test taken,I just had to tell my history background and then the psych person just asked me a few questions about everything and then that was it! Very simple, if I were you I would go in for another appt. and ask him or her to go over the test with you and talk to him orher that way ! Good Luck to You!
   — Melodee S.

August 21, 2003
Sounds like you got the lucky MMPI II test. 567 questions of doublespeak. The same 10 questions asked 60 different ways, at least that's how it seemed to me. I turned it into my psychiatrist's office and told them I was sure I had at least 8 personalities and it would show I was totally depressed. The questions are so black and white and so many times none of the answers applied to me, but you had to choose 1. Like she said, maybe you just got off on the bubbles. Other than I am way sorry to hear you have to waste your time on it again, I would not sweat it and don't try to read anything into the questions. Just read and give your gut reaction. From what I have read, very few people get told they cannot have surgery because of their psych eval. My psychiatrist said he just felt he needed to have me take it for legal reasons. He did not put much stock in it because he has been working with me for 3 years and knows me way better than some test. <p>Worst case scenario is that they would decide you need some counseling first to see what is going on, but that would not be a bad thing. Take it from one who has been in counseling for 9 years. Counseling can be a very good thing. As well controlled as my depression has been for years, I am still having strange head games going on as the weight comes off. Hang in there!!
   — zoedogcbr

August 21, 2003
How can anyone properly evaluate someones mental health from a test like that! For my psych eval I sat and talked to a clinical pscyhologist for over an hour. We talked and talked! I'm sure if I was to take a written test on my psychiatric health I would most likely fail! LoL, How can you truly express yourself taking a test! Maybe you can request to have an interview with a mental health proffesional instead of taking a test.
   — Kara J.

August 21, 2003
Kara, The test is not the only component. It is an industry recognized test that does usually have validity, as long as it is not used in a vacuum. There usually is one-on-one discussion also. Some people's psych evals last 30 minutes, some 3 hours. Mine was 0 minutes as he wrote mine without seeing me since I've been a patient for so long. He let me take the MMPI test home and do it too.
   — zoedogcbr

August 21, 2003
I agree with the other posters. How can a test properly evaluate you. Written tests make too many assumptions. You should ask the psych to sit and talk to you about the test. I didn't take a test, my psych sat and talked with me. He got to know ME not a piece of paper and then wrote his own evaluation. Best wishes -
   — M B.

August 21, 2003
My best friend had to take the MMPI before being hired for a management job. Two things happened to her in the 2 weeks before the test. First, she and her husband went to his mother's house for the weekend, where the refrigerator was making a horrible high pitched noise that her husband and his mother said they couldn't hear. Second, she'd just treated a yeast infection twice, but still was having significant symptoms. So - now she takes the MMPI. It states, "I hear things other people cannot hear." She says - "Yes." It states, "I believe there is something wrong with my genitals." She says - "Yes." So she's off the scale on delusional thinking, and basically looks psychotic. The evaluator fortunately discussed it with her, and all was revealed. ///I'd say your psych person just wants some sort of measurable evidence that you are emotionally stable, in addition to her opinion. She probably wants you to take it over so that it will back up the opinion she has already formed - that you are a good candidate. Just breathe deep and don't over-think. But unlike my friend - do think a little bit! Good luck.
   — Kim A.

August 26, 2003
Hi, yes, I have had my MMPI come back invalid. You know how they ask the same question a bunch of different ways? Apparently if you answer the "same" question two different ways it will come up invalid. I had to take it twice.
   — fropunka

August 26, 2003
I had to take it twice also. The first time I took it in the morning after having worked 16 hrs the day before. I think I missed a line and answered the wrong question. Second time was much better.
   — snicklefritz