Who Gives Gaf Scoes?

[c&p man]

I am just now claiming depression ,but who gives you a gaf score? is it only given at c and p exams? i never gotten one even though i go to a va

[jsdwd]

Are you sure the findings from the MMPI are objective? I just had this done last week so that's why i'm asking.

Thanks, Frank

The MMPI, as you know, is a self-administered test, so the validity of the findings depend on the state of mind of the test taker. If he/she is lucid, honest and able to comprehend the questions (e.g. no language problems) then the results should be fairly valid.

In my note I did not say it was objective, I said it was standardized which means that it has been given over and over again to various groups and it's validity checked against 'panels of experts' and other observations and tests so that the rating schemes are scored in a consistent manner. That helps to allow certain comparisons and give some assurance that the results are reliable (repeatable).

Whether or not a person who scores high on the paranoia scale is really 'objectively' paranoid is a complex and not easily answered question. I personally don't believe there are such things as objective measures.

The MMPI is widely recognized as one of the more rigorously tested and reliable test instruments within the psychiatric community.

[jsdwd]

Here's a link to what I believe is the GAF score chart the VA is supposed to use:

http://www.desertpacific.mirecc.va.gov/gaf...-scale-6-07.pdf

<<snipped>>

We had a vet on hadit who got his rating reduced because of one chance comment on a good day he made to either his counselor or social worker that he had found the best way to feel better was to go fishing, which he was preparing to do. From this one comment on one good day, they hung his reduction in benefits by ignoring multiple other treatment notes of his struggles. That the VA picks and chooses what evidence to use and what evidence to ignore is one of the major contributing factors for appeals.

I'll get off my soapbox.....

TS

Thanks for the link, it looks quite useful.

In my opinion one must be careful in dealing with the VA in the words one uses. They have (in my experience) very selective hearing and sometimes this is at the word level. for example in my C & P exam when asked about social relations with anyone, I said I had a good relationship with my kids and a good 'working' relationship with my ex-wife. In fact, we do not get along well at all, but have learned, over the years, how to get along to accomplish those things we have to do together. In the rating report this came out "Has good relationships with his children and ex-wife", so the word "working" was dropped. It makes a difference. This is either just sloppy reporting or the rater is trying to minimize my social isolation.

In a therapeutic setting one is not supposed to be carefully guaging his/her responses, but not to do so might create problems down the road. One solution is to have a therapist that does not have a conflict of interest. The VA therapist has a conflict between your interests and the interests of the VA and the VA is signing the paycheck.

[Pete53]

Many Veterans and even people who just take the test are sort of defewnsive and do not want anyone to know just how bad they feel. People are not stupid when a question is asked and the response is limited to yes or no how can you trust it.

I would think that a tests with 5 answers showing degrees would be much more helpful,

I always told people that the purpose of the MMPI and other VA tests was to put you in a box. I swear I could take the test a week apart and be totally different in some areas.

[john999]

The MMPI has a scale that is supposed to show if a subject is trying to make themselves look worse than they are, or better than they are. When they give the MMPI to someone on death row that person has a major incentive to make themselves look crazy since they cannot execute someone who is psychotic. You have to know why you are being killed by the state. On the other hand, someone who is being screened to be a cop might try and hide mental problems they might have so the scale identifies them.

[c&p man]

The MMPI has a scale that is supposed to show if a subject is trying to make themselves look worse than they are, or better than they are. When they give the MMPI to someone on death row that person has a major incentive to make themselves look crazy since they cannot execute someone who is psychotic. You have to know why you are being killed by the state. On the other hand, someone who is being screened to be a cop might try and hide mental problems they might have so the scale identifies them.

ok now i got a clear pic of how the gaf goes....i was wondering how this goes in major depressive disorder? i mean each time i visit my private theripist he gives me mild then moderate????? level ..is this common for them to change it every time you visit them i mean its usually every 2 weeks

[LarryJ]

ok now i got a clear pic of how the gaf goes....i was wondering how this goes in major depressive disorder? i mean each time i visit my private theripist he gives me mild then moderate????? level ..is this common for them to change it every time you visit them i mean its usually every 2 weeks

Yeah, it's common. It's according to what their "Team Leader" has written on the chalkboard in the staff breakroom that morning! Very scientific stuff!