Psych Eval worries

[KristenLe 5,979]

Sorry for your loss! You don't need to be on meds to be approved. They may recommend some counseling but that can help all of us prepare.

[onehappychick 45]

I have an appointment this wednesday but worried that if Im diagnosed with depression Im not going to pass my eval. Should i not go?

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Whitneymc, I too suffered from depression. I lost my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and father in law in a short time frame. I was suicidal. I got help from my psychiatrist and am now considered in remission. She did my psych evaluation and it was fine.

I would be worried if you didn't address the depression. It could rear its ugly head after the surgery. If you are already in a bad place and have surgery, it might send you further into the black hole.

I have been great for 4 years but I still plan on increasing my psychiatrist visits a little bit after surgery to stay on the right track.

I don't know if you believe in prayer but I will be praying for you!

Yohonna

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Edited May 9, 2016 by onehappychick

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Yeah

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Im just not a crazy open person and talking to a stranger just seems unsettling to me.

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I know it is hard to open up to other people, but it really helps.

You may even want to see if you can find a grief support group. I attended grief counseling through my church and found it helpful. I just noticed a posting for a grief support group through our local wellness center.

[Angelabeth 7]

I had my psych eval three weeks ago. I am currently being treated for depression, anxiety, bi polar 1, and PTSD and have been for some time. The psychiatrist knew nothing of this beforehand. I had to take three hours of testing. I tried to trick the tests and answer like a "normal" person. Well when meeting with the psychiatrist, he asked about my history and I was honest. Then he informed me that the tests showed anxiety, depression, frustration, and traumatic stress. I was shocked. He made me sign up for therapy, four sessions before surgery and my therapist has to clear me for surgery and 12 sessions after surgery. I wasn't upset, although it delayed my surgery. I have some unresolved issues from the sudden loss of my boyfriend two years ago and the therapy is going good. So...long post I know but my point is this, don't be afraid of the psych eval, in my experience, it has been a good thing.

Best of luck to you. And I am very sorry for your loss. I am a private person as well but found it easy to talk with the therapist because I felt safe. Hope this helps!

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[chele367 81]

Hi, had eval last week. Have been on time released Welbutrin for over a year. Shrink asked if I thought it was helping. Answered yes. He told me I have to change to a non time release due to sleeve. So what I can say being a person who suffers from addiction who is currently clean. I never put Psychotropics in a class of addiction but something to help me step to the next level like from the fog to the light if you will. Certainly we cannot lump individual experiences into one. To reveal I was sexually molested as a child. Mommy issues and turned to food. Which later led into a host of other bad choices including poor choices in men. One of which who committed suicide. Not just talking out of my you know where just keeping it real. Be honest, accept the help even if it delays your surgery date. It may end up being the catalysis you need to get something even greater. Good luck! You are where you are meant to be in this journey. You are not alone. Hang in there!

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[Rainy Days 73]

I've been reading this book on my Kindle and it addresses the concerns you have. I've found it to be pretty helpful. It's the Emotional First Aid Kit: Life after Bariatric Surgery. https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-First-Aid-Kit-Practical-ebook/dp/B0054RXXS0?ie=UTF8&keywords=emotional%20bariatric&qid=1462760486&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

I have anxiety issues and still got through my eval. She asked if I was on meds, and I told her I had been but didn't find them helpful. It was much easier than I anticipated! But I still recommend the book.

[UCLA man 101]

The psychiatrist that did my psych evaluation said he's only declined 1 patient because she admitted that she is suicidal and has hallucinations. I believe depression is common in people battling obesity so it shouldn't disqualify you as long as you are at least stable...not too depressed nor too manic.

[FabFatFish 13]

This has been a worry of mine as well. It helped me a bit to look at a few examples of suggested criteria for a pre-surgical psychological assessment for bariatric surgery candidates. This helped me by giving my an idea of what I am being assessed for.

Here are a few...

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)

https://asmbs.org/resources/pre-surgical-psychological-assessment

U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096263/

[jea(n__n)ette 98]

Prior to my telephone psych eval I was sent an email questionnaire including my psych meds, psych history, and personality assessment. During the phone call I was also asked questions if myself and family members had eating disorders. My psych eval was tough, I was even asked questions if I was sexually or physically abused. But as long as demonstrate that you are coping well and in control of your life, it's ok being diagnosed with depression. I doubt anyone has ever gone through life without experiencing it at least once.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

This has been a worry of mine as well. It helped me a bit to look at a few examples of suggested criteria for a pre-surgical psychological assessment for bariatric surgery candidates. This helped me by giving my an idea of what I am being assessed for.

Here are a few...

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS)

https://asmbs.org/resources/pre-surgical-psychological-assessment

U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096263/

@@FabFatFish ... thank you for the ASMBS link. It's chock full of information I'd missed finding on ASMBS's site before.

Seriously, folks -- whether you're pre-op or even long-term post-op, if you haven't read all this information you really should. Much of the information there describes the issues everyone grapples with during weight loss and weight maintenance.

Thanks again.

[CHM 1,009]

@@WhitneyMc

Do not cancel your appointment. Depression is a very common issue - even more so among the obese. Whoever is doing your eval will have seen it before, time and time again. I had to reveal far worse at my own, and I still passed easily. While the requirements and acceptable courses of action are likely to vary from professional to professional, I can share my experience to hopefully put your mind at ease.

I was extremely honest. I was of the mindset that if a mental health professional felt that anything in my history would preclude the likelihood of my success with WLS then that was something I wanted to know about as well. Recent battles with depression and anxiety were revealed, along with histories of anorexia, bulimia, self-harm, and suicide attempts. I told them that I see a psychologist bi-weekly when I'm doing well, and weekly when I'm not. I also have a psychiatrist on my team for those times when medication is needed (which is a last resort, but hey, sometimes it IS necessary).

As for the depression and anxiety, all that they seemed concerned about was that I was aware of my issues and taking steps to remedy them by attending regular counceling sessions. The other nasties were far enough in the past (I believe 5 years was the marker that was mentioned, if I recall) to not be considered a hindrance, although it did result in a "watch for eating disorder relapse" flag in my surgical file. Overall they seemed quite pleased with my honesty, awareness, and accountability, and were more than happy to pass me.

Again, while the details are going to vary depending on who you see, I doubt that you need to worry so much. Perhaps make an appointment to speak with someone about your current issues before going to your eval so you can demonstrate that you have taken steps to address them. That will likely be adequate. If its not, then they'll tell you what is. It will all work out.

[LaTia_Sings 2]

I have an appointment this wednesday but worried that if Im diagnosed with depression Im not going to pass my eval. Should i not go?

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Whitneymc, I too suffered from depression. I lost my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and father in law in a short time frame. I was suicidal. I got help from my psychiatrist and am now considered in remission. She did my psych evaluation and it was fine.

I would be worried if you didn't address the depression. It could rear its ugly head after the surgery. If you are already in a bad place and have surgery, it might send you further into the black hole.

I have been great for 4 years but I still plan on increasing my psychiatrist visits a little bit after surgery to stay on the right track.

I don't know if you believe in prayer but I will be praying for you!

Yohonna

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YES.....Prayer Works!!!!