HOW TO PREPARE FOR SSA’S PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM

WILL THE SSA SEND YOU TO A PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM?

A psychological exam tells the SSA what they need to know about your mental health. Since your mental health can impact your ability to work, the SSA may send you to a psychological examination. The SSA calls the psychological exam a Consultative Exam. If you allege a mental condition when you file your application for benefits, then there is a good chance they will send you to an exam with one of their doctors.

Even if you have a treating counselor or doctor, the SSA does not ask them to perform the psychological exam. Instead, they send you to a doctor of their choice. The doctor will either be a psychologist or a psychiatrist.  The SSA has a list of psychologists that are close to where you live. You will be able to visit with the doctor for your exam. The SSA will set up the time and place of the exam and send you written notice. Mental exams are usually done in person.

The SSA may decide to schedule you for a psychological exam when you are at the beginning stages of your case. Mental exams are common when your medical records show a mental illness, but you don’t have ongoing treatment. Exams can also done because you don’t have any recent treatment. SSA workers review the exam report. They use the results to deny or grant your benefits. Psychological exams are used in both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM?

The purpose of the mental exam is for the SSA to learn more about your mental health. They are trying to determine if your mental symptoms would keep you from working. The exam will usually last at least one hour. The length of the exam depends on whether or not the SSA wants to test you too.

You need to go to the exam.

The SSA will send you a written notice in the mail. It will have the name of the doctor, the address you need to go to, and the date and time of the examination.

If you cannot attend the exam, you must immediately call the SSA and inform them you have a conflict. Usually, they will schedule a new appointment time for you. They want you to attend so they can get the information they need. Whatever you do, do not miss the exam. They will not schedule a new exam for you if you miss it without explanation.

If you don’t go, then the SSA will deny your case. You don’t want that to happen. Use the psychological exam to tell the doctor what mental conditions are making it impossible for you work. For example, your anxiety disorder may cause panic attacks at work. Or, your anxiety may make it so you can’t concentrate on work tasks. If you already have a mental health diagnosis, then bring your medical records to the exam. That way the SSA doctor can review them. Don’t rely on the SSA to send your records to the doctor. The SSA usually does not send your records for the doctor to review.

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING TO THE MENTAL HEALTH EXAM?

At the mental health exam, you will probably spend most of the appointment talking about the history of your mental illness. You will also need to talk about your current symptoms and how they impact your daily life. However, first, the doctor must verify your identity to make sure you are the person who filed the disability application. So, bring a valid photo ID, state ID, or passport, to the mental exam.

Additionally, the SSA will send you paperwork that gives you the date, time, and address of the evaluation. It is a good idea to bring that paperwork with you to the exam.

Finally, we recommend that you bring a copy of your mental health records to the exam. For example, if you have had a previous psychological evaluation, then bring a copy of it for the doctor. Likewise, you could bring the progress notes from your counselor. Additionally, you could bring a treating source statement, such as a letter from your doctor, that documents your symptoms and mental health diagnosis.

Finally, if you also have a physical condition, then bring whatever you use to help you walk or use your hands. For example, if you use a cane, bring it to the exam. Use it. If you wear a brace for your wrists, then wear your brace to the exam. Now is not the time to leave your cane at home. The doctor will discuss your ability to walk, sit, stand, and use your hands, during the exam. Especially if physical issues are part of your claim.

WHAT QUESTIONS WILL THE DOCTOR ASK AT YOUR PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM?

At your psychological evaluation, the psychologist is paid by the Social Security Administration. Normally, they are a person who has done hundreds of examinations of people who are seeking SSDI and SSI benefits.  The psychologist is not your friend. Also, they are not your personal counselor. So, don’t treat them like they are “on your side.” They are not.

The doctor is there is ask you questions about your mental health. They are going to give you a diagnosis and talk about whether it limits your ability to work. Additionally, if the SSA asks, the doctor will give you IQ testing or memory testing. Remember, the psychologist is judging you. In their report, they will talk about your appearance and how you behave. They will also report whether you give proper effort on tests. Additionally, they will state whether or not you are a good historian.

The psychologist will also want to know the following information:

• Your Medical History. The psychologist will ask about your severe mental symptoms and about any treatment you have had.
• Family History. The psychologist will want to know about your relationships with friends and your family.
• Educational History. You need to know your education level. If you were in special education or needed help in school, like home school or tutors, then tell the psychologist.
• Past Relevant Work. You will need to answer questions about mental problems at work. For example, did you have panic attacks on the job? Did you have problems getting along with others? Were you off task at work due to your mental condition? Were you fired due to your mental symptoms?

WHAT SYMPTOMS IS THE DOCTOR LOOKING FOR AT THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM?

While you should already know the answers to the questions from the doctor, it is a smart idea to prepare your answers in advance. If you don’t recall your work history, then write it down before you go to the appointment. Next, bring it with you.

The doctor will be asking you questions. However, the doctor will also be writing about your mood during the exam. For example, do you have a good attitude toward the exam? Did you dress in nice clothes for the interview? Are your clothes, shoes, hair and nails clean? These are some of the questions that the doctor will report on.

Additionally, the doctor will report on your ability to communicate. For example, do you avoid answering questions or did you offer information easily. Were you able to remember information from your past? Did you make good eye contact? Do you have good insight into your mental health symptoms? Do you get ongoing treatment from a counselor or other doctor? Are you able to concentrate during the exam? Did you have a panic attack at the exam or in the waiting room? Were you late or on time? If you were late, did you get lost?

All of these questions can be part of the psychological exam.

EXAMPLES OF MENTAL SYMPTOMS THAT PREVENT WORK

To prepare yourself for the psychological exam, you should think of examples of how your mental illness impacts you on a daily basis. The SSA is looking for examples of how your mental illness stops you from working. Ask yourself these questions:  would your mental problems make you off task at work? Would you struggle being on time for work? Likewise, would you have trouble dealing with other people on the job?

WOULD YOU MISS WORK?

Many people with mental illness struggle to leave home when they have anxiety or depression. Would your mental symptoms make you late for work? Have you been fired from a job because you were late too many times?

Similarly, have your mental symptoms made you call in to work and stay home. How many times a month did you miss work? Was it more than two times a month? If so, then tell the psychologist you missed work because of your mental symptoms. Or perhaps it was some other mental symptoms that stopped you from going to work. Tell the doctor.

If you have mental problems, then you might have had trouble dealing with other workers and your boss. How hard would it be for you to deal with the public on the job? Would you lose your temper? Or, would you be rude to customers? Has that happened before on your past jobs? Now is the time to tell those examples to the psychologist. Use real examples of the problems you have had on the job.

WOULD YOU BE OFF TASK?

Another thing the SSA is looking for is whether or not your mental symptoms impair your concentration and memory. Do your mental symptoms cause you to take too many breaks during work? How many breaks do you take on a normal day at work? How long are those breaks? Were you fired from your job for taking too many breaks? If so, then tell the doctor.

Also, think about your ability to focus and maintain concentration during an 8 hour work day. How long can you pay attention? Can you think of examples of how short your attention span is due to your mental issues?  Are you no longer able to read novels? Is it difficult to focus on reading the newspaper? Do you easily lose focus? Do you go from one task to another?

It is important to tell the doctor how your symptoms affect you at work and at home. Be able to honestly answer the questions with examples from your life. Doing so will help you win SSDI and SSI benefits. If you have questions about what will happen at your psychological exam, then contact our SSD law firm. We will help you prepare for your exam. We can also help you apply for benefits. Likewise, we can appeal a denial from the SSA.

DO YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR YOUR PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAM?

One important thing to know is you do not have to pay for the psychological exam. You will not have to pay any money to the doctor. It is the SSA who pays the doctor. The doctor will provide an assessment of your performance on any psychological tests the SSA asks them to perform.

For example, you might take an IQ test or a memory test. The IQ test measures your verbal abilities and your working memory. It also measures your perceptual reasoning and your processing speed. The combined scores on these tests determines your full scale IQ. Learn important information about the WAIS IV IQ test.

If you don’t understand the questions the doctor asks, then ask the doctor to repeat them. Do the best you can to answer the questions. However, if you do not remember an answer about your past, then don’t pretend you know an answer. Do not make up an answer. Simply say that you do not remember.

Additionally, don’t be dramatic or lie about your symptoms. If you do, then you will lose credibility. For example, someone who suffers from anxiety will talk about panic attacks and about being afraid to deal with other people. They might also say they can’t sleep at night. But they don’t say they cry all day or that they are in a constant state of panic.

CRIMINAL HISTORY AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE QUESTIONS

CRIMINAL HISTORY – WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT

Additionally, the doctor will ask you whether or not you have a criminal history. The reason the doctor asks is that some people with a criminal history have mental conditions. For example, some people have Borderline Personality Disorder or Oppositional Defiance Disorder. Obviously, if you have been to prison or jail, then tell the doctor. However, be aware that speeding tickets are not a criminal history. Neither is that one time you stole candy at the store when you were in 6th grade.

Please remember that you are talking to a doctor who is judging you. The doctor isn’t asking you about your past so you confess some event that happened when you were a teenager. The exam is not a time to tell stories from thirty years ago. Don’t try to impress the doctor with stories about your past.

You are not a comedian and the doctor is not your friend. If you tell the doctor that you once damaged property or stole a bike, then the doctor will put those negative stories in the report. Now, the judge knows your worst moments too. The judge is looking at your character. No judge wants to give benefits to a person who might misuse it.

Why would you tell the doctor about your poor choices if it doesn’t involve your mental illness? Unless you have served time in jail or prison, you don’t have a criminal history.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE – WHY IT MATTERS TO THE SSA

The doctor will also ask you if you have a history of substance abuse. The reason the doctor asks about this is the SSA needs to know if drugs or alcohol are causing your mental symptoms. They will deny your case if you can’t work due to substance abuse. Learn about substance abuse and SSD benefits.

If you have a lengthy history of substance abuse, then be honest about it. For example, if you have been in and out of rehab due to substance abuse, admit it. Hopefully, you can tell the doctor that you are now sober. However, the exam is not the time to confess the one time you tried marijuana in high school.

It is also not the time to discuss how you drank five beers at a party when you were 16.  Those events are not a “history” of substance abuse. Also, the SSA doctor is not your priest. Anything you say at the exam will become part of the report to the SSA. So, don’t confess one time events as if they are substance abuse.

The doctor is asking about ongoing drug and alcohol problems, not something you did thirty years ago. Substance abuse means you cannot control your drinking. Also, it means you are drinking to get drunk. Likewise, it means spending most of your money on alcohol. If this sounds like you, then you have a problem.

However, if you drink two beers at a football game, that is not abusing alcohol. If you drink a glass of wine at a party, then you are not abusing alcohol. Know the difference between alcohol abuse and normal drinking behavior. It is not a badge of honor to pretend you have a drinking problem at the psychological exam.

WHAT WE DO TO HELP YOU WIN SSDI AND SSI BENEFITS 

If you have a lawyer, then you should talk to them before your psychological exam. They can help you prepare. Also, they will remind you to mention your mental symptoms to the doctor. Our law firm can help your prepare for your psychological exam and file your SSD application. Also, we can help you appeal every SSA denial. For example, our attorneys and staff can:

• Send you the paperwork you need to become our client
• Help you file your application for SSDI and SSI benefits
• Inform the SSA they should pay your benefits under the Compassionate Allowance Rules
• Request an appeal if you receive an initial denial
• Help you confirm your SSA doctor exam
• Request a Hearing with an Administrative Law Judge
• Prepare you to testify at your SSA hearing
• Represent you at your SSD hearing and question the expert witnesses
• Read about job expert testimony
• Learn about medical expert testimony
• Request review of any SSA decision with the Appeals Council
• Request review of an Appeals Council denial in Federal Court

If you file your application for benefits online at Social Security’s website, then you have 6 months to complete it. Once you submit your application, the SSA sends you an application summary in the mail. You must sign the summary and mail it back. If you don’t send it back, the SSA will not process your application.

HIRE OUR LAW FIRM TO HELP YOU WIN SSD BENEFITS

If you want to learn more about the lawyers and staff at our law firm, then read About Us. For example, Dianna Cannon has been helping people win Social Security benefits for thirty years. Brett Bunkall and Andria Summers have also won thousands of SSDI and SSI cases.

In the past 30 years, we have won over 20,000 SSDI and SSI cases for our clients. Our lawyers and staff can help you apply for benefits using the SSA’s website. Likewise, if you need to file an appeal, then we can help you do that too. There are also many forms you will need to fill out. Don’t worry. If you have questions about these forms, then we will answer them. You can learn about SSA’s appeal forms. Call us today.

We have won over $100 million in ongoing and past due SSD benefits for our clients. Also, we represent clients in many states, including Nevada, Utah, Colorado and Idaho. Find out about Nevada SSDI and SSI benefits. Learn about Utah SSD benefits and California SSD benefits. Also, review Colorado SSD benefits information. No matter where you live, we want to be your legal team.

Hire the team with years of legal experience to help you. We can become your attorney for no money upfront. Also, there is no attorney fee for you to pay until we win your benefits. If we don’t win, then you do not pay an attorney fee. So, call us now. We will answer your questions and help you prepare for your psychological exam.