What is a neuropsych appointment like?

[babyatlas]

I am still in limbo and undergoing a series of blood tests, additional MRI and have a neuropsych appointment.  I have been experiencing memory loss, cannot focus/pay attention as well and just feel foggy some days.  The appt is next Tuesday and I am getting pretty anxious about it.  With the blood tests and MRI I didn't really have to do anything but show up.....this one I have to participate in and it makes me nervous.  Like, what if I am having a really bad day and cannot answer/do anything....sigh.
Thanks for any insight as to what they do at these appointments so I can be mentally prepared a bit.
Thanks.
R

[PastorDan]

Mine was a real mental workout, but I found it all fascinating.  The report used terms I couldn't understand, but the Ph.D. in charge of the program sat down with me to go over it in detail.  Basically, he told me that my problems have a clearly physical cause, that being some kind of disease in the white matter of the brain.  This was encouraging to me, as I was afraid that someone was thinking that this was all psychosomatic.  A friend pointed out that it's still all in my head, just not in a way that people talk about behind my back so much.  Anyway, there's nothing to fear in the whole battery of tests that they'll give you, and possibly much to be gained with respect to understanding your symptoms.

[klynn79]

I am a teacher of the children who ride the little buses that Deborah0904 talked about.  Many students (special ed or not) are getting neuropsych eval. lately.  They are simply tests of cognitive (IQ) ability (speed and accuracy) and then achievement (what you have learned overs the years).  They also monitor your attention span/focus ability and hand eye coordination.  
The scores have a span of confidence which is a span of the scores for average, above average and below average ranges.  It takes into consideration that we all perform better or worse on any day.  Don't be too concerned..and it won't hurt

[deborah0904]

I recently had a neuro-psych appt. and have received my results.  It does take several hours and can tend to be frustrating.  Let me tell you, they may tell you that there are questions that they ask that they know you probably won't answer correctly.  If they ask you, "How is a fly like a leaf?" and other questions about how something is like something else?  don't expect to get those right.  

If you get frustrated, try to take a deep breath and realize that is why you are having the test, so that the Dr. can decide where your problems are.

They have a way of telling whether you are trying to throw off the score, so, do your best at everything!!!!!!!!!!!  The Dr. can't help you if you say you don't remember something but you really do.  I thought I did real well with my answers and come to find out, there was an issue.  Meaning, just because you think you did well doesn't mean you did.  They test how long it takes to answer or do things.  It's an interesting test.  I wish you the best.   Oh, my results show that I am very slow at processing information and can't retain what I've learned.  Guess I would have to ride the short, yellow school bus to my special ed class.

Take care.  Oh, eat a good meal before having this done.  You really want to be at your best!

[Lulu54]

Good or bad, the neuro psych eval wants to see you in whatever shape  you happen  to be in that day.


There will be a wide variety of skills they should test to record your abilities.  Please don't stress over this - remember the doctors are on your side.

my best,
Lulu  

[luverofrogs]

It's like a marathon for the brain.  Some of it is fun.  When I had mine, it took around 4 hours or so not counting an hour break for lunch.  I recommend having someone drive you to and from the appointment.  I was incredibly wiped afterwards even with taking a break and having an hour for lunch. Just do your best and if you need a break, speak up.

[Wobbly]

I haven't had one yet...but have heard of other who have had the testing done.  It take quite a few hours from what I hear... and you should worry about how you do.. or don't do...

just do what you can and it's a record of how you are doing at that time... so in the future they can see any changes etc...

take care
wobbly
undx