Neuropsychologist - what are they trying to do to me?
 

A couple of weeks ago a neuropsychologist came to see me. She spent the first hour talking to me about my childhood and then spent another hour doing tests with me. I only did 2-3 different tests before she had to leave.

Today I got the report back and I'm quite shocked by what I am reading. She says that, although I clearly have impaired memory and functioning, the test results are not consistent with a mild head injury. After saying that we could not complete the tests because I was "so slow", she suggests that I have pre-existing learning difficulties that are accounting for many of my symptoms. Funny because I obtained a scholarship to private education, thrived in a job that requires utmost attention to detail and have NEVER had any issues with cognitive function prior to me hitting my head.

She has also written that she advises I am assessed by a psychiatrist to look into my 'learning difficulties' further and because I presented as "extremely anxious".

Basically, this means that I now have very little to go on in terms of compensation because of her suggesting my condition was 'pre existing'. My disability benefits are out the window. And nobody is going to take me seriously any more. I also have 'learning disability' on my medical record and I have no idea if that will ever go away.

I'm done. I've had enough. I was counting on a proper assessment to get me the help I need. I was counting on that compensation to help rebuild my life.

I've been trying to think so positively these last 2 weeks. Things were looking up - I'd just found a place that looked promising to live and I was getting the support to move in. No chance of that now. It'll be the homeless hostel for me.

And my lawyer told me all of this at 5pm, right before he's away until Monday.

I thought things couldn't get any worse. I can't do this any more. I really can't. I can't take the pain - the headaches, the dizziness, the nausea, the constant ringing in my ears - as homelessness and no prospect of an escape. It's just too much to bear now that what little hope I have has been taken away. Not just taken away...thrown in my face. It pains me to say it but I don't see any way out except suicide. I never thought I could feel this much pain.

NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!

No Suicide. That cannot be changed. This can. You have your school history. You have your job history. You have your family and friends and coworkers who can speak for your abilities before your accident.

You need a different doctor. You may need a different lawyer. You need to fight this, and perhaps get a complaint filed against her. To make that kind of assessment after one hour of testing? Irresponsible. Neuropsych is to find out what damage has been done, not see if you match her expectations of damage and to be written off if you don't. External head injury does not have to match internal, brain injury, and any doc that does not know that has no business practicing.

THIS you can fight. Another doc can counteract her report. Your history and performance can counteract her report. A psychiatrist can counteract her report. (but DO NOT go to anyone she recommends. ) Duh--of course you were anxious, you were trying your hardest to do tasks that your injury no longer allows you to do. What an idiot.

Do NOT let her win. If you give up, she wins. If you kill yourself, she wins. Do NOT let an idiot take away that which you still have. If your lawyer doesn't see this as something to fight, if he won't stand by you in finding another doctor and a valid assessment, then get another lawyer. Sue the first lawyer AND the doc for malpractice, so there.

Do NOT give up. This is just a big abrupt bump in the road. And quite a shock, I am sure, but please, do NOT give up. Please?

Thank you. My solicitor actually replied to me out of hours and said we can speak about it properly on Monday when he is back.

I've just read some past threads here on NP and everyone else's seemed to have lasted at least 4 hours. It just doesn't make any sense to me that she can draw such a conclusion from an hour's worth of testing, which considering how long it takes me to think she may as well not have bothered. In her report she said "I didn't have time to go through all the tests because of her slowness."

What's remarkable is that I had a neurologist (head of his department i might add) assess me in June who, after a series of tests, concluded I had sustained a "moderately severe head injury". Having seen her report, despite the fact I have only spoken to him once briefly since we met he's now agreeing with her! Apparently she has the 'utmost experience in the field of brain injury'.

My solicitor isn't saying he agrees with what she's saying but saying that in the first instance he will arrange an appointment with a consultant psychiatrist and go from there. It will be of his choosing, not the NPs.

I've been seen by various mental health people this past month because of the stress of having no money and my housing issues. All have concluded I am not mentally unwell and have discharged me, offering me counselling if I think it would help me cope with my life changes.

Thanks so much for your reply.

If anybody has any advice on this psychiatric assessment then please let me know. Obviously I don't want to lie about anything, but if there are tips for not coming across like a crazy person that would help.

I have no assessment advice - just know that you are in my thoughts - hang in there!

Hi,

Was this the Neurologist that your solicitor got or one from the doctor or third party?

When things settle down over the next few days - and they will do, it is worth pointing out to your solicitor that you did take the tests when you were under a lot of stress and that obviously the test would be skewed and should be set aside for now.

I would have the other assessments and take whatever therapy they suggest then afterwards repeat the tests with a different neuropsych.

Thanks sospan.

I think it was somebody my neurologist referred me to, so neutral on both sides. It was funded by the third party though.

And I agree - the amount of pressure and stress i'm under right now is not really giving a proper picture.

Dear Andromeda
 

please fight the findings. You do have your school history, your grades, people who can testify and vouch for you before any of this happened. No one person has the right to define the rest of your life. This person is not the only that can evaluate you. What about your PCP? Are you close to any physician? Stack the evidence against the findings of the neuro psychologist. if your lawyer can't help you, get another. He is suppose to fight for you, not give you nothing but bad news and a lousy weekend. I am not in good shape either, really I am not, but I don't want to not live, and neither do you. Sometimes this stuff is put in front of you, and it is like a brick wall. There are ways around this decision. Get a psychiatrist, there may even be a womens center near your home who can help direct you. You don't want to be homeless any more than I do. I have lost all too, but I am giving it one heck of a fight. Currently my non covered medications cost more than what I receive in a month. Had to write begging letters. This disability thing isn't all that good. No doctors want to take medicaid. There is always hope, and you must fight for your rights. Get your friends to write letters, telling the judge or board what you were like before this, and what you are like now. I had a stack of this stuff before I went to my hearing. It was my PCP not the psychologist whos letter the judge really looked at. Please dear person, life still has alot of good, despite pain, and those brick walls. find the opening, and get some people on your side. Call the hot line, they can also direct you to some agency that can step in. You are worth a fight, you really are. ginnie:hug:

I guess if there is an option to for your solicitor to get another evaluation and you can go from there

andromeda,

Does the report say anything specific about the tests that were used. There are many tests that are inappropriate for mTBI. Others that need to be properly interpreted to make a diagnosis. Many neuropsychs have a bias against organic causes of memory and cognitive deficits.

If you can post more specific information from the report, I may be able to point you to appropriate information to use to start your battle.

I sense that you are intelligent. Many NP's will use intelligence to over-rule a diagnosis of injury. Using a diagnosis of learning disabilities from such a short test time is inappropriate. It takes hours of special tests to diagnose learning disabilities. My daughter had diagnosed learning disabilities. There are some overlaps in symptoms between mTBI and LD's so proper assessment is important.

The comment of 'so slow' sounds odd. It should be considered a symptom. Did you do a finger tapping test?

You can PM me with your report specifics if you do not want to post them in public.

Stay with us. There are lots of things to still do.

My best to you.

NP test
 

All good advice. Definately seek Marks help, I fell he is super sharp. On a different note.

There are time we feel so small as to feel insignificant. But that also means we are so precious and rare, and that is certainly worth fighting for. We are all pulling for you.

andromeda,
I had suicidal thoughts haunting and even I prepared myself for it. Good that I didn't own a gun :) Even now some times I think that way when my symptoms gets unbearable. I counteract with some meds and thinking positive. Are you taking any medicine? Sometimes it may help.

I was about to homeless (very close) but my previous employers (also good friends) stepped in and let me to work from home in my own hours with full benefits. That is how I survive now. I did nothing in the beginning for about a year but didn't see any improvement and so this job at least gets me out of depression and keeps me some what occupied.

If you are in U.S. and in this area, I can say come and stay with me as long as you can and don't worry about money until you figure this out. I wish I can offer more than to say hang in there. But hang in there and don't give up!!

Cheers!

Yes Please dont give up.. I am in a sonewhat similar spot
 

I too underwent 2 of these tests - the first on my dime concluded concussion and the second by the 3rd party insurance. a few months later. The 2nd report went on to say well if you did suffer a head injury it should be completely resolved, therefore since you still have symptoms, then something other than the injury is the cause. I too was given the pre-interview that dissected my childhood. I am 50 so I was honest but I do feel somewhat that that is trickery used to point to possible other causes... In any case I still showed some deficits.
Mark is very helpful in pointing out things that most doctors do not have the training or expertise in. I hope you find a doc who has a better understanding of the brain. My thoughts are if you were not in any psycho therapy or having other mental treatments prior to your accident or within the last several years from the time of the accident, then your atty should be able to keep those from gaining any traction. I do know now that the insurance companies on either side will do whatever they can to blame something else.
It is sad, but because of profits and fraud they are very defensive unless you have a blood and guts injury. They even try to deny orthopedic injuries by saying they were pre-existing. I wish you well. I would like to keep in touch as we are in somewhat similar boats and sharing helps everyone going through this maze.

Also do you have documentation from and ER or doc stating you had a concussion or head injury. Most docs seem to think you had to be unconsious before any brain trauma can occur (in concussion injuries).

There is enough information out there that substantiates a whiplash trauma can be actually worse than striking your head directly.

What was the nature of your head injury. Did you strike your head, whiplash, unconscious etc...?

Hi everyone

Thank you all for your support and helpful advice. Mark very kindly looked through the report for me and has helped me begin my attack. I've sent it back to my lawyer along with comments and he's going to speak to me Monday. I'll let you know what happens.

Kudos
 

Kudos to you Andromeda maybe you have found your Perseous to rescue you from the Kracken. So to speak.

Hahaha

Perseus had better hurry up and get here. So to speak.

Hey you, hang on in there. See the psychiatric assessment as a potential positive step in your favour. The doctor at a & e refused to believe in pcs at the beginning of all this and brought in the psych crisis team as I warned them I was highly likely to play in the traffic or jump in the river.

The psych team were great and went through my past history of depression. They pointed out that their assessment of the current symptoms was that they were neurological in origin and not related to my mental issues. The lead psychiatrist confirmed that in writing and offered to help if I am struggling with being understood during my own comp claim.

I am just outside London and you are welcome to pm me if you need somewhere to go x