Applying for Social Security disability benefits with mental health issues can involve a detailed mental status examination. Having a clear idea of what to expect and how to prepare for a Social Security disability mental exam can alleviate anxiety.
You can prepare for the mental status exam by organizing your treatment records, hospital visits, medication details, and work history documents. It may also be helpful to find out about potential questions that the examiner might ask during the examination.
Continue reading to learn more about how you can prepare for an SSDI mental status exam.
How Do I Prepare for a Mental Status Exam for Disability
Undergoing a Social Security mental status exam can be challenging as it involves multiple processes. However, there are a few things you can do to navigate through the exam successfully.
Complete All Paperwork
When you first submit an application for Social Security disability benefits, you will be required to provide a substantial amount of paperwork and supporting evidence. If the Disability Determination Services does not get the required medical paperwork, your claim for disability benefits could be delayed for months. If you get all of your papers in order before your mental exam, you won’t have to worry about finding anything when the time comes.
Detail Your History
It can be challenging to provide an accurate description of what it is like to live with a mental health condition; nevertheless, the Social Security Administration is most concerned with these details.
It is important that you be well-prepared to answer any questions on your disability, medical appointments, medication usage, and their impact on your daily activities.
You can also request a therapist or another mental health professional to help you create a detailed record if you work with them on a regular basis.
Get Proper Rest Before Examination
An applicant undergoing a mental exam should get adequate rest prior to the exam since the results of the exam may be declared invalid if it appears to the psychologist that the claimant did not offer their “best effort” before the examination.
This would unnecessarily delay the process even further, which can be devastating for claimants who do not have an alternate source of income.
Consider the Exam Duration
It’s likely you have read up on other claimants’ experiences; however, you shouldn’t take their experiences as a point of reference for your own.
Although other claimant’s experiences can offer you a general idea, the actual amount of time it takes to undergo the examination will differ from patient to patient.
Some people may get examined in 25 minutes, while others may have to spend up to 2.5 hours on a test. It is recommended to avoid any strict expectations and instead go into the test with the view that you are a unique individual with a unique claim.
Understand Your Work History
Make sure to review your work history at least one week before your scheduled exam. You should begin by compiling an extensive record of your previous work experiences and noting every single aspect that you struggled with, regardless of how insignificant it may appear.
For instance, you should consider the following questions:
- Did you encounter any difficulties when interacting with your managers, colleagues, or clients?
- Were you prone to extreme mood swings that were documented in a complaint?
- Did you frequently withdraw from others due to anxiety?
- Were you frequently absent from work because of your mental health?
- Were you terminated because of any actions that were considered non-professional?
Types of Mental Health Exams
The specific evaluations and tests that you may be subjected to during a mental health evaluation will vary based on the specifics of your case.
The Social Security claims examiner may request any evaluations and tests that are necessary to have a full understanding of your mental health in order to make an informed decision about your eligibility for disability payments.
Social Security employs four different types of mental health exams to evaluate disability claims based on mental illnesses, including:
- psychological exam
- memory scale exam
- mental status exam
- psychiatric exam
What to Bring to Your Mental Status Exam
At the mental status examination, you will spend the majority of the meeting talking to the psychiatrist or psychologist who will examine you about your past and current circumstances.
However, as part of the CE, the psychologist or psychiatrist who is performing the mental exam for Social Security disability is obligated to confirm your identity.
Therefore, you should ensure that you have the following items on hand for the test:
- your Social Security claim number
- photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport)
What Are the Questions Asked During a Disability Mental Exam?
The purpose of the evaluation is to provide the claim examiner for Social Security disability with a more comprehensive picture of your mental health status and to address any gaps in your medical records.
The psychiatrist or psychologist conducting the examination will try to obtain the following information about you:
- Medical Background: The psychologist or psychiatrist may ask you to explain your impairments in your own words and how they impact your daily life and work capacity.
- Social Interaction: The examiner will be interested in learning about your social life as well as your abilities to interact with loved ones and members of the community.
- Educational Background: The examiner might also inquire about your educational background as well as the difficulties you faced during your academic career.
- Work Background: The examiner will be interested in learning about your attempts to return to work as well as the outcomes of those attempts.
You may already be familiar with the answers to these questions but reviewing them prior to your mental exam will help you be more clear when answering the examiner.
Conclusion
Preparing for a mental status exam is important for winning your disability benefits claim. Providing the necessary details to the examiner and answering questions honestly are key steps toward obtaining these benefits.
