Social Security wants a Mental Evaluation?!!! WTHeck?

[artsyamerican]

I applied for Social Security Disability back last October.  I got something in the mail today saying in order for them to fully determine my disability - I have to have a mental evaluation by one of their doctors!! MENTAL??? What does that have to do with Inflammatory Spondylarthropathy and Sjogrens?  Thoughts? Advice?

[mshistory]

My husband is a psychologist and does evaluations all the time before a patient undergoes a transplant or bariatric surgery - have no idea why (I'm sure I've asked before, but I have a migraine and it was a crazy morning teaching, so my brain is on hiatus). (And yes, he works for the government so I'm thinking it's just government hoops to jump through...?)

[anita]

It is normal for SS to get a mental exam.  Don't worry.  If any of your doctors mentioned depression in his notes, you'll get one.  If any of your meds are antidepressants, you get one...and I see you listed Prozac.

Just answer the questions honestly. Don't spend too much time on any one question...just answer and go to the next.  The exam will probably take all of 15 minutes.  You'll be fine.

[Ripvanann]

I don't know about SSDI, but I saw my pain management Dr. today and he's been pushing me to see a psychiatrist since the get go (I've been seeing him since July of last yr). We were both yelling at one another today. I quite appreciate our little "spats", shows me he is as passionate as I am, and the raised voices when discussing my health, makes him feel like family. =)

After all these months, he finally tells me today, that he needs the psych eval because it's required by the government to move further with my medicine and treatment. Phew! That information would have saved us both a lot of time and frustration (and heartache on my part) had it been given to me from the beginning.

Like you, I was a little more than wigged out and offended by his insisting I see a shrink...particularly when I had no "shrinkable" symptoms prior to the meds he has me on. I have an appointment scheduled with his preferred Dr.  in a couple of weeks. I'm still not liking it, especially now that I know the government is involved.

Hope that helps. Also hope that the SSDI is approved for you. Peace and blessings.
~ Andrea

[Joe S.]

Well, maybe you just are not on the correct anti-depressant to eliminate your pain.

Comments like you got from SSI tend to make me angry. Some doctor has told SSI that this is all in your head. It may even be a doctor that you have never seen.

I was sent once to and adverse Dr and was told there was nothing wrong with me. Another adverse doctor said I was in worse shape than they thought I was. They took the opinion of the one that did not believe in AI diseases.

[topping21]

They should worry about all the thousand that are on disabilty who are 100 % capable of working and get them off of it so they people that do need it can access it alot easier.


This is why I am so worried about not being able to work.  If I can not work I will lose everything + I have 4 kids and a wife who depend on me....

[anita]

I have read they are overwhelmed due to the economy and many filing because they lost their job. 

I would NOT worry that a doctor said it's all in your head (or anything else negative) as for the reason you're being sent for the exam.  It has become more common for SS to do these exams.  Don't stress over this yet...it might send you into a flare.   

[Luna]

My mother has lupus and some other seriously debilitating health issues. Obvious she cannot work. BOnes could break if she just types. They made her do a psychiatric evaluation for Dissability too. From what I am told, everyone has to go through it.. Just do like Anita said, but honest and don't stay on one question long. Youll be fine.

Luna

[Patty]

Yeah, they made me do that too and seemed to focus on depression, even though there has never been any suggestion of depression. He said he thought I was "mildly depressed". I almost laughed. If I am only "mildly depressed" after what I have been through, then I am doing pretty d_ _ _ _ good! Don't worry over it.

[season]

When applying for Disability it is normal procedure to have a mental evaluation. Try not to let it trouble you.

[susanep]

As Season said, it is a normal process of applying for social security disability.

The lady that evaluated me was very kind and professional, and also about my age or a bit older. She knew that as a teacher, and not yet normally ready to retire that I wouldn't be applying if I were not too sick to work.

One of her diagnostic tests she uses on some was the same one I had used all through my teaching of special education students. I brought it up to her too.

I am on meds for depression, and I do have ongoing clinical depression without my meds, but it is still normal protocol for this process. I can also see how now though that these autoimmune disorders relate to the depression.

My dear husband has still got no where, and he is on daily oxygen, and if he goes very long without it, his pulse ox starts going down. He is a severe diabetic, with congestive heart failure, obstructive sleep apnea, and also now low thyroid.

susanep

[eyeamdry]

I filed for SSDI while I was still working about 6 years ago.  This was before I knew I had Sjogrens!!

I did have lots of eye problems as a result of Lasik surgery.  (SJS would just add to this later.)  Well, with my declining vision, dryness and eye pain.they wanted me to see a psychiatrist.  I think this "dr" saw everyone in my city applying for ssdi.  I went and answered questions like "name current president, name a former president,  spell 'crowd', spell it backwards.  I had no problems with any of the questions.

These were not mental health questions.  It took about 15 minutes and I guess he got what he/they wanted.  I was not send to an eye dr, but a psychiatrist.  That was ok with me.  I didn't question them and I was approved.  I think they hire the cheapest person you can call "dr" whether it be a chiropractor, psychiatrist etc and that's who you get.  I wouldn't worry about the mental eval.  So what?  If you get approved it's all worth it.  I still don't know what he had to say about me.  Lucy

[Autoimmunity]

I filed for SSDI while I was still working about 6 years ago.  This was before I knew I had Sjogrens!!

I did have lots of eye problems as a result of Lasik surgery.  (SJS would just add to this later.)  Well, with my declining vision, dryness and eye pain.they wanted me to see a psychiatrist.  I think this "dr" saw everyone in my city applying for ssdi.  I went and answered questions like "name current president, name a former president,  spell 'crowd', spell it backwards.  I had no problems with any of the questions.

These were not mental health questions.  It took about 15 minutes and I guess he got what he/they wanted.  I was not send to an eye dr, but a psychiatrist.  That was ok with me.  I didn't question them and I was approved.  I think they hire the cheapest person you can call "dr" whether it be a chiropractor, psychiatrist etc and that's who you get.  I wouldn't worry about the mental eval.  So what?  If you get approved it's all worth it.  I still don't know what he had to say about me.  Lucy

I thought you couldn't apply while working?  Otherwise it shows that you are able to work?  I am pretty sick but drag myself to work every day because I am single and there is no option to stop working in order to be able to apply for disability.

[eyeamdry]

Your quick.  Let me clarify.....I had filed for my employer's short term disability and was collecting that and I checked with social security and they said to go ahead and file for SSDisability.

I was meaning to make the point that I got SSDI some time ago (I went on dis 6 years ago) as opposed to now as a timeline.  I do believe though that I have seen people on this board go ahead and file while they were still working.  I have no follow-up info to answer questions.  Maybe others do.  I hope I clarified my situation.

[Seeker]

G'day artsyamerican,  Go and do all the required procedures.  Be honest and remember to take notes.  What you are going through is all a part of the SSI maze.  Don't get frustrated and quit. 

You may need to consider, at some time, talking to a Lawyer who specializes in SSI cases.  Just remember to keep good and accurate records.  Your records and notes will be very important.  I hope your SSI journey will be a good one.

Seeker