psych evaluation

[LydiaHough 0]

Hi All,

I just made my psych evaluation appt. What should I expect? What kind of questions do they ask etc. Do I have to give my life's story?

Thx.

Lydia

[JustAskinThx 0]

Hi Lydia,

I had my psych eval two weeks ago. They wanted to know things about my diet history, the doctor asked about my living situation (how are my major relationships, overall?) about my history of being overweight, about why I'm choosing to do this now, about how much support I will have from family and friends. The doctor also asked questions to find out if I have a history of binging and purging or of any anorexia way in the past (hoho, definitely no anorexia now!), and to find out what types of challenges I expect from my Lap-Band changes (like the liquid diet, the small bites and thorough chewing, not drinking Water with my meals, etc.) One of the things the doctor did was to tell me that I may have some sadness and conflicting emotions as I lose the weight and that I can feel free to see him or another psychologist if that happens. He also had me do the MMPI, a psychological pencil-and-paper test. Apparently it all checked out, because the surgeon's office has submitted my paperwork for insurance approval.

All in all, it was pretty non-threatening and low-key. I've had a history of depression and I was very upfront about that, and the doctor seemed more interested in how proactive I was at getting help than in any scary questions. My overall take on it was, they don't expect some paragon of perfection, as everyone has problems (we wouldn't be taking this path if we didn't have trouble losing the weight, after all.) I got the feeling it was more a trouble-shooting process to make sure that there's no need for further counseling on food issues and that you're aware of what you're getting into.

I wish you good luck, Lydia!

Nancy

[trishfish 1]

hi! i had my psych eval yesterday. and it was kind of intense. he asked me a lot of questions about my childhood and my relationships with my family and my spouse. the whole interview was to figure out what your relationship with food is...(stress eater, boredom eater...food make you feel good?)

also in detail about work and your lifestyle.

it really wasnt too bad...

good luck! and dont be nervous. he started out telling me this was not a ''pass /fail'' interview...more of a guage to help with the journey

trish

[whiterabbit 2]

I am scared ot death of my eval. Being Bipolar I do not want my mental issues to be the blocker to being able to get banded.

[vflores919 0]

My psych eval is scheduled for next monday. I am completely freaked out by it.:w00t: I'm so glad you asked this question! I'm hoping it goes ok. I think everything should check out fine because I really feel like I am finally emotionally ready for the surgery, but there's always that fear going into every new test.

Good luck!

[mstwash 0]

My psych Dr. requires 3 visits, my final one is this Tues. and like everyone said, I was petrified of the process, but quickly learned that this experience is about making sure that I am prepared for the big change. They want to work with you to accomplish your goal, that way, Everybody wins.

[KimDB 0]

I was nervous, too. I guess deep down we are all afraid that if someone were to get inside our heads, they will hear all our unspoken thoughts or something. Of course, if this were possible, there is not one of us who wouldn't look a little crazy.

Not to fear. They will ask about diet history, how you became overweight, why you are looking at surgery, family history (ages of parents, siblings, their medical history), main stressors in your life, how you cope with them, etc.

They might "flag" you for example if you tell them you once lost 100lbs eating nothing but grapefruit and walking 10 miles a day for 6 months, and then gained it all back the next 6 months. Or if you have any other extremes that jump out at them. I was asked to have an extra consult with an eating disorder specialist based on the fact that I admitted I was anorexic in high school over twenty years ago. I did it, and it wasn't a problem. Anorexic, obese .. they are both forms of disordered eating.

Otherwise, if it makes you feel better, last week I went to a support group run by the same psychiatrist who did my original evaluation and I could swear he didn't seem to remember ever meeting me in the first place.

[MaybeBanding26 5]

im actually a therapist myself....they wont be able to give me the MMPI! lol

im not too worried about it though. hopefully, by the time i have the psych consult i will have found myself a new therapist.

[BetsyB 9]

My psych evaluation was a 3-visit, pretty intense thing. I have no psych history, but just happened to choose a very thorough psychologist.

(I'd recommend going with one of the ones your doctor recommends; I went to one who is highly regarded, but NOT in "the loop" bariatrically speaking, and my doctor was floored by the unnecessary depth of the report.)

Anyway, the first visit involved an hour of talking about my history, and one brief pencil-and-paper test. The second visit involved the MMPI and another written test, as well as more talk--what seemed to be an oral questionnaire/assessment. And the third visit involved yet more talk, and being told that based on his assessment, I was less likely to succeed with the band than most people. (He was not able to point to what led him to this conclusion, other than that I was too positive. I pointed out that some people view motivation as a positive attribute--that while I know there will be struggles, I don't tend to view minor struggles as major hardship---as might be evidenced by the way I handled the other changes in my life that we'd discussed.) ANYWAY---I got clearance, but determined he wasn't the therapist for me, if I decide I want ongoing therapy!

(I'm secretly pleased he made so much unnecessary extra work for himself. He was a pain, so thinking of him poring over 14 pages of report that could have been taken care of with three sentences kind of amuses me.)

[stl2atl07 0]

I am scared ot death of my eval. Being Bipolar I do not want my mental issues to be the blocker to being able to get banded.

This was a fear for me, too. But The Psychologist told me it really had nothing to do with rather or not I could be successful with WLS or not. He ask about my Dieting History, Struggles, How I was dealing now, and What I was prepared to do. That was what was important.

Don't overthink it too much. Just be upfront and honest with your Psychogist. They are there to help you. Good Luck! :frown:

[geniseg_2000 0]

My psych evaluation was a horror show. I went in with the gumdrops and rainbow attitude and left feeling defeated. Halfway through the conversation she says "you look sad and should talk to someone" I wanted to shrink up and die right then and there. She never said she wasn't going to pass me but I did get the sense she didn't like what she heard.

:frown: