Neuro-psychological evaluation good indication on braindamage?
 

Hey!
I have done one evaluation two years ago which only said I had some problem with the processing and working-memory. Well I was normal on these parts and quite above normal on all others which indicated some sort of damage to my brain.

I redid the test a while ago because of my neck which was shown from a x-ray to be severely stiff in the upper segments (xrays taken when bending my neck in different ways). This is going to be examined by a CT with remodeling soon. Especially occiput-atlas-axis

Anyhow, when doing the test now, my psych (not the same one) told me that there was no indications on braindamage. I felt I had a hard time doing the test but I think I managed well and so did she obviously! The exhaustion from doing the test is something you cant messure...

MY QUESTIONs ARE: How good of an indicator is a neuropsych exam on braindamage? People say PCS always slip through doctors but can be caught by doing a neuropsych test. Is this somewhat true? Do most people with PCS show on a neuropsych test?

Emil

Neuro-Psych Assessments can vary in results depending on the battery of tests performed. Also, many Neuro-Psychs have a bias in interpreting the results. The raw or percentile scores can have many meanings.

I have researched many of the individual tests and have a pretty good understanding of what they mean.

If you can PM me with the scales/percentile rankings, I will try to explain what she means.

The MMPI-II (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory II ) is often misinterpreted to indicate depression rather than organic brain injury. I have a copy of the research that differentiates between the two diagnoses.

I have had three NP Assessments. Two misinterpreted the MMPI-II, and in exactly the same way. The third did not do the MMPI-II.

In my opinion, NP Assessments are more valuable to help you understand your symptoms that to identify a cause of the symptoms.

Your post confused me when you said <Well I was normal on these parts and quite above normal on all others which indicated some sort of damage to my brain. > Normal and above normal would indicate no problems. Did you mis-state your comment?

<problem with the processing and working-memory> This is very likely indicative of organic injury. It will help to put the Memory scores/percentile ranks in context with the Intelligence scales. I am assuming/hoping you had the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-II (WAIS-II) and Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). The scores from both will help with understanding the meaning as it pertains to organic brain injury.

If you PM me, I will try to look at it after April 18 or sooner if I get my taxes done.

My best to you.