I'm still in the middle of my disability benefits claim. I have to go to an outside doctor for a mental exam due to depression. Has anyone gone through this here in the US? I'm just wondering what to expect.
Steve
Hi Steve. I'm on disability now for 3 years. Mine is as a result of dry eye problems with declining vision. I had a 5 year solid history seeking medical help for this "condition."
You probably don't know what to expect because the SSA is a bit weird.. I was sent to a psychiatrist for eye problems. He did not do a thing to check my vision or anything to do with my eyes. His office was in his small home and it was very creepy. He was very creepy and had a grand piano in his "exam" room. He did ask me questions: who is the current president, name a former president, spell crowd and then spell it backwards. Count backwards from 100 b 7's.
As you can see, none of it had anything to do with my eyes. I went along with the program and wasn't in his office more than 20 minutes. I didn't ask him many questions and I was a bit wondering what the heck had just happened.
I did not have my Sjogrens diagnosis yet when I got the disability. They send you to any "doctor" who is the cheapest they can find to take a bulk of cases. One person on here was sent to a chiropractor for her Sjogrens and other AI problems. Maybe more people will post their experiences. Lucy
Thanks Lucy, I'm just afraid that some unqualified medical person will send back a report that is unfavorable to my claim. I'm over-obsessing so forgive me.....just my nature!
Steve
Perhaps you'll be sent to a Podiatrist (foot doctor) for psychiatric problems. Kidding........... I'd be surprised if you weren't smarter than the "doctor." I understand you being reluctant and afraid. Lucy
Lucy, You were having your cognitive ability assessed when they did those questions. I doubt if I could count backwards by 7's when my brain is in high gear. Math and I never got along.
Steve, I think it is good that you are having an exam to check you for depression. You may find that your depression will hold more water than you thought it would. Many people have gotten disability because of depression over the years. I think that many of them probably had chronic disease and the "system" is so darn slow that they haven't figured out what chronic illness is yet and that it does affect us mentally. Good luck and don't panic about it. Just "wing it". Irish ;D
I finally had the exam. It was at a chiroprators office but I think the examiner was from another location. I think it went well. Lots of dumb questions...the kind of questions they ask you if you had a concussion or something. Like whats the date and who's the president. Also, to count back from 100 in 7's. I got as far as 93 but that is no surprise as i still count on my fingers. I asked my partner who doesn't have SjS and he couldn't even get 93. It seemed the one thing that I think helped is that they seemed interested in that I had to have someone drive me there. Since I've given up the keys that was the truth. I think overall it will go in my favor. My little meltdown and suicide attempt a couple of months ago will most likely go in my favor too. Now I have to have a intern exam (at the same location) next month.
Steve
QuoteLucy, You were having your cognitive ability assessed when they did those questions. I doubt if I could count backwards by 7's when my brain is in high gear. Math and I never got along.
We have this established by several of us here, they do this test mentioned above. Name the president, a former president, spell "crowd" and then do it backwards. Count from 100 backwards by 7's. I got disability for the condition of my eyes and Steve said his is stress/psychogical. Same test, hmmmmm. I had no trouble doing my "cognitive test" although the backwards by 7's was a trip.
I think by reporting our individual experiences here, we can sort of predict for future people applying what they may expect. I don't know why I got the cognitive test for eye problems, but I think it's a one-size-fits-all test. And the cheapest "drs" they can get. Good luck, Steve. Lucy
Quote from: Billydude on September 28, 2008, 12:36:40 PM
I finally had the exam. It was at a chiroprators office but I think the examiner was from another location. I think it went well. Lots of dumb questions...the kind of questions they ask you if you had a concussion or something. Like whats the date and who's the president. Also, to count back from 100 in 7's. I got as far as 93 but that is no surprise as i still count on my fingers. I asked my partner who doesn't have SjS and he couldn't even get 93. It seemed the one thing that I think helped is that they seemed interested in that I had to have someone drive me there. Since I've given up the keys that was the truth. I think overall it will go in my favor. My little meltdown and suicide attempt a couple of months ago will most likely go in my favor too. Now I have to have a intern exam (at the same location) next month.
Steve
Good for you Steve - I am keeping you in my thoughts - I am so glad I got SSDI without any added physician's to see - and without having to even go to court.
NOW - if I can just get the Soggie's diagnosis - I will be satisfied. Negative bloodwork lastweek - but my internist said he will not give up. He is sure there is something like SS going on. It's NOT that I want to be ill - none of us does !!! But to know what is going on - and finding things that MAY help a bit ....... quality of life is an important thing.
You also, I believe, have ReArthritis ??? That should also work in your favor ??? Am I correct with that ? Or am I in a complete fog - and have the wrong person ::) Sorry - today is totally OFF for me - I don't know what I am doing - the fatigue and pain is overwhelming.
Good wishes for the internist exam ...... keep us current .............
peace ............. Nancy
Thanks Nancy. My rhumy did say I had reactive arthritis at one time but since then changed her mind. ???? I do have heavy arthritis bone spurs and spondylosis in my neck and spine but she has since decided its not reactive arthritis.
Steve
Steve the test they put you through today is what we in AUstralia at least call the standardised mini mental state examination. I think it is called that universally in all ccountries. Its a test we use for assessing cognitive abilities. We use it in my hospital on a daily basis. And like you i have trouble with the counting backwards from 7 bit. THe specific questions test your orientation, short terms memory, mathematical, comprehension, ability to follow command and spacial awareness. It basically is assessing which areas of your brain may or may not be affected by disablity
Im glad the appt went well and i hope the next one does too. keep us posted on how you're going
Pud
Steve,
I hate to be a pessimist, but expect the worst and hope for the best. My wife felt confident that the person giving her her evaluation understood the major problems she was having with her mental abilities. The report came back stating she was mentally fit to work. I pray that your state is more lenient than mine and doesn't go by the quota system. I'm not trying to upset you, I'm just trying to make you to beware of the system and how it really wants to defeat you. It may take awhile but keep plugging away! I hope you won't have to go through the crap like my wife has.
God's blessings,
Mark....
I hope so too Mark. I understand how you can be pessimistic. Its funny how different it can be from person to person. There have been many people that have sent me messages saying that they were approved easily as the depression and anxiety part is taken seriously by social security. I wonder if its very different from state to state even though its a federal program. I don't know how it works for those of you in other countries.
I was at my brother in laws ranch yesterday and they have a women that lives there with scleroderma and receives disability. She works around the ranch for her board and she takes care of all the horses mows the fields and is contantly working. I'll be pissed if I get denied when I can barely get to the mailbox without becoming exhausted!
Steve
G,day Billydude. These exam's for disability's are sometimes a rough go. The main thing is don't give up. Keep pushing. The exam's are partially designed to get you angry and frustrated so that you will give up. You would be surprised on how well it works. If you do get denied go through the appeals process. Add more information. Sometimes what you will need to do is get another opinion from a doctor that is rated higher in the AMA than the doctor who wrote the negative report on you. The main thing is persistence. It may take awhile, but persistence will pay off.
Seeker
Lovin that accent seeker. That g'day is so Aussie
Pud
Does it work the same way down under? I have a law firm handling my case from the start so I'm sure they'll push to the end.
Steve
Howdy Billydude, Having a law firm handle your claim, is the best way to get it approved. They have the knowledge,resources and the muscle to handle the Bologna thrown at them. That was a very intelligent move.
Seeker
Well I had my final medical exam with them and I think it went well. The doctor was very nice and polite and seemed to have a very good understanding of Sjogrens. He noticed my swollen parotid glands and noticed how my mouth was bone dry. He was also even able to suggest how some of my problems were due to the autonomic neuropathy. The only thing I initially feared is that I was the healthiest looking one in there. People were crawling in in all sorts of conditions and with walkers and crutches. But, I think my back up stuff will support my claim. The law firm even followed up with the social security person handling my claim and they told her they'll have an answer in a couple of weeks.
Steve
That sounds hopeful Billydude! Best of luck! :)
Hope everything works out for you,, we all need a break,, and maybe this is the start of a trend
I'm told today that a decision has been made on my case. The person at Social Security told my advocate at the law firm that she cannot tell her the decision but only that a decision has been made and that it now needs to go to a quality control department to make sure all the t's are crossed and I's are dotted then it will go to my local social security office to send out an official letter. Does anyone have any experience with this. I'm hoping that this is a positive thing and that if it had been declined that they wouldn't bother to have it go to these extra steps. Any feelings from anyone. I know..I know....I should just hold tight and wait but I can't stand it!!!
Steve
Never had any experience with Social Security, but is sounds like the same protocol used by workmen comp, which I do have experience with. The waiting is the worse part.
Glad you got an attorney, they know how to navigate through the system.
So do they do that whether it was a win or a lose? I'm thinking that they wouldn't go through that trouble if they already declined my application. What do you think.
Steve