Psych evaluation

[mentalistfan 189]

Im just beginning my journey and I know I have to have a psych evaluation...my concern is that I take anti anxiety medication and anti- depressant to control panic attacks and the medicine controls them extremely well...does anyone know if this will hurt my chances of surgery?

[1Day1Life4Now 882]

No that shouldn't effect the outcome of your evaluation. What they are looking for is unaddressed issues that could prevent you from being able to do the weight loss or other issues that would cause you to choose another addiction such drugs, alcohol or smoking. Don't stress about the Psyche evaluation. It's not as scary as it seems.

[JillC878 59]

Hi Mentalistfan. I can only speak from my experience and research, but you probably have nothing to worry about. I have had psych issues in my life; I have been on and off of different meds for depression and anxiety (I too have panic attacks). I was honest with the MD about it all. I had no problem passing the eval. They are not looking for "crazy"; they are looking for signs that you are not realistic about the surgery risks and changes that will need to be made. They want to make sure you have support at home. They want to make sure you have a plan for post-op care. See they do not want to deny you this tool, they want to make sure you are ready and have the support you need.

It is not that scary (at least mine was not). We talked for 30 minutes or so (asked about my support and why I want to do this), I took a quick test about bariatric surgery (to make sure I knew the "rules" for post-op life and what the surgery really entails), then I took a verbal intelligence test (this was way more like a game then I test), and lastly I was given a very long (almost 400 questions) written test (statements like, "I like to fish." - rate from strongly agree to strongly disagree). That is how mine went, but I am sure that others are different. Still I believe that all of them would have the common thread of making sure you are ready and NOT that you are "crazy" (for lack of better word).

[JillC878 59]

No that shouldn't effect the outcome of your evaluation. What they are looking for is unaddressed issues that could prevent you from being able to do the weight loss or other issues that would cause you to choose another addiction such drugs, alcohol or smoking. Don't stress about the Psyche evaluation. It's not as scary as it seems.

Thanks for mentioning this, 1Day1Life4Now. I had forgotten the addiction issue and that is a really good point to make.