What was your psych eval like?

[Mrs. Reid 392]

I have my psych eval on Monday. I had to take the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory last week, along with a couple of other tests, now I have to meet with the psychologist for the eval. I am nervous. Can anyone tell me what their psych eval was like? Did anyone else have to take the MMPI-2? What sort of questions did you get asked in the eval? What can I expect?

[harleyphleb 35]

basically they want to know if you have an under lying circumstance as to the reason you are heavy...... Mine was more of the East Indian Psych asking me why did I move away from my parents... (who live only an hour away) I said for employment..... Why do you kids live away from you ( they also live only 1 --1 1/2 hour away in both directions and they are 30,32,34) I said for employment..... What does your parents do for a living.... Dad is a part time security guard at the college.... And your mother??? I said she is 76 mom doesn't work.... What does your children do for a living... Chef at a resort, Respiratory therapist..... correctional officer..... Oh so they all work... Yes and so do I.... I kept thinking to myself why are you worried about my family away from me...... your from An Asian country... why did you move??? All in all wasn't to bad for me. Just answered honestly and didn't elaborate answers

[Debbie Jean 406]

I took a standardized test before which I'm sure the doc scored. We didn't discuss it. He was primarily concerned with my weight history, my feelings about myself and why I chose weight loss surgery now. He also wanted to make sure I understood that it was a tool and not a solution. People who have wls can and do gain it back. He focused on being compliant and whether I was prepared to make the changes for a life time... My personal and professional life day to day and what kind of psychological and emotional support system I have.

I think its to make sure that you understand the seriousness of your choice and are ready physically and mentally to succeed. That you don't have unrealistic expectations

I didn't have any problem. I'm sure you won't either ????

[Quest4TheNewMe 225]

I took the MMPI-2. My second appt was about 20 minutes. He told me that he could tell from the test that I was skeptical about taking the test (there were grammar issues the bothered me) and that I internalize my emotions. That was about it. He didn't have any concerns, so I was good to go.

[kimpossible67 608]

I suffer with mental illness and take lots of meds. I was scared I wouldn't make it thru the psych eval. It was fine. They ask normal questions. They're looking at how much you understand what will be happening to you. I did have to take some additional therapist appts because they wanted her input if I was in fact "stable."

[GreenEyes604 753]

@cynthiarm2000 I had my psych eval a little over a week ago. I didn't have to take any type of "manual" tests, all I did was go in and sit and talk with the psychologist for about an hour. We mostly talked about how I got to this point in my life from childhood. What it was like for me growing up, my marriages, my divorces (2 just in case inquiring minds wanted to know ) and what my thoughts were on this whole surgery process.

I sat and talked to her like she was a friend that I hadn't seen in many, many years, and we were just catching up on what's been happening in my life. We laughed a few times, and when time was up she said she had no problem at all approving me for surgery.

I think the key is when you talk to the psychologist, just be open and honest. They aren't know you're nervous and I think many are not cleared for surgery because they come across as uncertain about everything. If you know this is the right thing for you to do, and you have no doubt about it whatsoever, then go in there and just be yourself. I'm sure you're making yourself more concerned about it than it really needs to be.

YOU'LL BE FINE!!!

[JCP 619]

I think she was trying to determine my level of knowledge about the procedure (the risks, side-effects). And she wanted to know how I was prepared to face them. She asked about my history (how I had become overweight, what I had tried in the past to lose weight). In my case, I was fit most of my adult life but when my parents both became very ill, I became their caretaker. I stopped taking care of myself completely and just added more and more weight. Then they passed and I developed severe depression. Then I was laid off and it became worse. Exercise became impossible. I began treatment for depression but needed help with the weight. I told her I looked at the surgery as a kick-start to help me get going, and that once I lost enough weight to exercise without fear, I planned to resume. She said I was a perfect candidate. I think the key is be informed, be honest, have a plan. Don't be afraid! They are there to help you!

[barbb3 115]

Just to add to everyone's great input - during my eval the psychologist also wanted to make sure I had realistic expectations from the surgery. It was pretty straightforward. I got the impression that she was on my side and wanted me to be successful. Good luck and let us know how it went!