Topic: SSDI neuro-psych evaluation-What should I expect?
tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
I'm being sent for one soon and am just wondering if someone who has been through one could fill me in on what's involved? Thanks!
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
Laura, I have had the testing several times, but not specifically for SSDI. They are going to give you different batteries of tests to look at both your psychologic and cognitve abilities. They try to assess where your difficulties are; examples auditory memory, visual memory, attention, word finding, etc. They also look at the pattern of deficits. Based on your results, they can tell whether your difficulties are more neurologic or psychologic. If neurologic, they can even tell what part of the brain is effected.
Lyme patients have a typical pattern that shows diffuse neurologic damage. Google and you will find some articles. Check the Columbia website and the archives here too.
The problem is that most neuropsychologists do not understand chronic Lyme or the typical cognitive deficits we have. Many Lyme patients are misdiagnosed as having cognitive problems caused by depression and anxiety. They often use a test called the MMPI which Dr F from Columbia Univ told me is invalid in Lyme patients because we have multiple physical complaints.
For SSDI it might not matter. They are trying to see if you are able to work "ANY JOB" for a period of a year or longer. But if you have other disability insurance you have to be very careful because most policies don't cover mental/nervous conditions after 2 years.
If you think you can't work because of physical issues like pain, fatigue, you should have your doctors write a letter or report to submit. Don't rely on their office notes or medical records. Are they sending you for a physical exam or just this? And when you filled out the application, were you very specific about why you could not work?
I know lymenet used to have a lit of great resources on this. So do a search. I hope this helps. The testing can take 8-12 hours but they do it in intervals.
I hope this helps......
Posts: 15 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Be sure to see a "Board Certified" Neuro Psychologist. If this person is not Board Certified then request one that is. Board Certification takes an additional 2-3 years of training beyond the Ph.D. and are specifically trained to understand the way the brain works from a sort of "wiring" perspective.
A Neuro Psych.eval should go well beyond the standard MMPI tests when doing a full comprehensive Neuropsych. exam/evaluation and generally could take more then one session to complete.You should feel free to ask the Psychologist any questions you might have and get answers that make sense to you.
Any good Neuro-Psych. who does not know about Neuro Lyme "should" do his or her research before seeing you since they are being considered "experts". If you have any specific questions please feel free to PM me - I have a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and have worked in the clinical field for years.
Posts: 376 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
I had one recently it is about 4-5 hours if you don't take breaks, it looks like it has parts of IQ test + some visual and verbal memory ,+ some manual coordination
I don't have my results yet but frankly "iq" parts of the test are really simple , so SSDI wise it probably will not help - if you can use this forum you are fit enough to work!
Posts: 856 | From MA | Registered: Jul 2009
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tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
Coltman,
Are YOU saying that if I can use this forum I'm fit enough to work or are you saying that will be SSDI's opinion? I'm not being confrontational, just wondering what you meant.
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
laura, i disagree w/coltman's comment about being able to use this forum.
it was 5 yrs. ago i went thru it, but it shows up your weaknesses and strengths. DO THE BEST YOU CAN ON THIS TESTING! deficits will show up.
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Are YOU saying that if I can use this forum I'm fit enough to work or are you saying that will be SSDI's opinion? I'm not being confrontational, just wondering what you meant.
The latter. Again it is just my personal opinion - I never applied to SSDI so I do not know their criterias
Posts: 856 | From MA | Registered: Jul 2009
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
-
Former; Latter? For clarification (I used to teach and I still have to look up what the terms mean nearly every time I see it):
"The former is the first of the two mentioned, the latter is the second of the two. . . ."
Former - First; Latter - Last. I think the letter game will help me remember. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
my above test results helped me to get SSDI BENEFITS...
took 5 years of hell and 2 separate claims; but i got it done!! so i have 1st hand experience on how the results are used by DDS staff and judges.
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
This is wild because I don't really see anyone I know want to be around someone who has something the CDC don't even know what causes, like all the co infections. So how can they deny that?
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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tickled1
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14257
posted
Cottonbrain,
That is what I'm afraid of. With my luck, I'll probably test on one of my good days. It's all such BS! Even if I had good days 50% of the time, that's still not enough to hold a job b/c no employer is going to put up with that. If I don't get disability this time and try to go back to work and end up getting fired, if I reapply for SSDI afterward, are my chances of getting it then better?
Posts: 2541 | From Northeast | Registered: Jan 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
quote:Originally posted by cottonbrain:
(bettyg, did i just prove your point about testing?)
cotton, i'm not following your logic here; please elaborate; thx.
i had a lawyer who WASN'T working with me and his staff kept changing; so it wasn't to my favor the 1st time before he quit me at almost 4 full years.
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I had to have the neuropsych test by a SSDI psychologist (state of MA).
I guess there are a couple different psychologists who do it for SSDI but I can at least fill you in on what I was required to do.
I was approved the first time round, but did have to get that testing done first.
Posts: 366 | From MA | Registered: Apr 2006
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
cotton, thanks for explaining that nope, i haven't dusted off my crystal ball lately for any customers .... lol hugs
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Yeah, I got it first time around. I had a lawyer and I also had thorough medical records. I was seeing a Lyme Literate doctor "before" they requested I take those tests, so I brought my brain SPECT scans, and other tests which the doctor was able to use to identify why the Neuro-psychiatric testing was reflecting the same results of the scans.
He basically said, with a Brain SPECT of that nature, showing wide spread and diffuse hypoperfusion, it is probable that this is the reason for the deficits in their evaluation.
An SSDI Disability lawyer is a must for the first time around. Some will deny taking the case though unless you already applied once, so call around until you find someone who will help. They'll want a percentage of your initial disability check, which will be based on how long you were disabled from the moment the doctor declared you disabled, until the moment you received your disability check (Retroactive payment). It's usually anywhere from 20-25%).
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
lymednva
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9098
posted
My SSDI attorney sent me for neuro-psych testing almost as soon as I hired him. They were what won my case, even though it had to go all the way to the ALJ.
I was doing so poorly he sent me home and had me return another day to complete the testing as I was going down the tubes so quickly.
-------------------- Lymednva Posts: 2407 | From over the river and through the woods | Registered: Apr 2006
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nope, i haven't dusted off my crystal ball lately for any customers .... lol hugs
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