Disability appt with psychologist - what to expect?

[Patty]

I am being sent to a psychologist for evaluation for disability. Has anyone done this? I am wondering what to expect. I have cognitive problems when the vasculitis flares, everything from general confusion to trouble reading but they are transient - which I stated in the application. I am doing so-so right now. I just got steroid injections today to bring down the inflammation in my head, and that will mean I should be doing better by the date of the evaluation (unfortunately). 

[Luna]

Hi. I have not gone for dissability. But I know people who have. Not just sjogrens patients. A  psych evaluation is common.
I wish you luck . Hope you get the dissability.

Luna

[really?]

Never had one,, but I think I can make the following ,, only answer when asked, dont tell a novel, dont offer any more information then what is asked for, act interested, be wary of any leading questions, questions that may have you searching your memory and then you start to fumble over your words,, thank him or her after the interview, dont ask how you did,, you;l; know soon enough, hes a professional,, well at least they should be,, but there are people on the SS dole that do this for a living and arent very good,, or tehy would be in private practice, good luck,, it wont be to bad

[Carebear]

Hi Patty,

I recall this topic coming up before, and here is a link to one of the threads:

https://sjogrensworld.org/index.php?topic=13017.msg134884#msg134884

I haven't had this experience personally, but have a read, and hopefully it will answer some of your concerns.  And good luck on the evaluation. 

[Meld256]

Hi Patty,

I was nervous about my appt. I had for SS Disability, too.  Carebear, that's a great thread you linked here. Lots of info.

Try not to worry too much; I know, easier said than done.  But it really shouldn't take long. With mine, they went over my file, and I just told them the same things. Brain fog, depression, trouble with retrieving words, (which they saw me doing), memory loss.  I was asked to count backwards by 3s and couldn't do it.
Just try to stay calm and be honest with them about how your condition affects your life.

Good luck and keep us posted. 

[susanep]

I went through this. I was just honest about what I went through during my daily life, and how the disorder was affecting me. I talked about my feelings about not being able to work anymore, because of everything.

susanep 

[eyeamdry]

Patty- Th thread given above has several posts from me in it although it was not my post.  I am not going to add a thing because there is lots of info from me and others.

Don't over-think this..."seeing a psychiatrist."  Just be honest, only answer what is asked and do not ramble on.  I always say we (women) have a tendency to ramble on when nervous and am always telling my daughter that.

The questions I was asked were asked of several others who wrote in the thread.  It must be pretty common to ask the same stuff.  Don't be afraid and good luck.  Lucy

[irish]

I did not need to have this done, but my autoimmune hubby did years ago when he filed for disablity.The doc let me stay in with him.

The doc did a mini mental status test which involves a few questions to test memory and recall. Also he had some other testing that wasn't too bad. You will sit and talk some, etc. It doesn't last too long. Seems like they asked hubby for a short description of his daily activities. Take it seriously but don't get your "drawers in a knot". Good luck. Irish

[Patty]

Thank you very much for your encouragement. I had been feeling nervous about it because my mental/cognitive abilities vary a lot and I will probably be thinking pretty well by the time I have the appointment. But yesterday, before I had steroid injections, I actually got into the wrong car in a parking lot and sat there feeling confused for a minute before I realized it was not my car! Thank goodness the owner did not see it. I can't do even simple math or follow a recipe when things are bad, but I will probably do well on any testing that is done right now. Oh well, I made it clear that the problems come and go both on the form and in conversations with SSD. I will take your advice and not worry about it. At least the appt is next week so I don't have to wait long to get it over with.

The link to the thread was great - thanks for posting it. 

[Meld256]

Patty,

I hope we've qualmed a few of your fears.   
The fact that your mental/cognitive abililites vary is just the thing they make take into good consideration.  Like your story about being confused in the parking lot. 
They look at how your problems affect you overall.  Just because you have times of clarity shouldn't be a negative. It's the fact that you have times of confusion, following a recipe, doing simple math, etc.  I can relate, dear!  Some days I read my posts over twice because I write the same word twice in a row. 

You'll do fine! 

[c991]

The Psychologist I went to just filled out an electronic ss form, no real evaluation. Could have been completed by a Walmart cashier.

Clint

[eyeamdry]

c991- Your whole post "LOL."  It says a lot. Lucy