ptsd Seeing Psychiatrist Monday For Diagnosis, Any Advice

[PayBack]

Good Evening,

I'm headed to the doctors office Monday morning seeking an "Independent Medical Opinion". My original diagnosis' came from my family practioner. I know the VA will balk at that so I'm looking to back that up with that of a Board Certified Psychiatrist. Is there a special format that he must follow? I'm being seen for PTSD, depression and anxiety. I've tried to locate protocal, can anyone point me to it....

Thanks!

[Vike17]

- Clinician's Guide

Worksheet - INITIAL EVALUATION FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)

Name: SSN:

Date of Exam: C-number:

Place of Exam:

A. Identifying Information

age

ethnic background

era of military service

reason for referral (original exam to establish PTSD diagnosis and related psychosocial impairment; re-evaluation of status of existing service-connected PTSD condition)

B. Sources of Information

records reviewed (C-file, DD-214, medical records, other documentation)

review of social-industrial survey completed by social worker

statements from collaterals

administration of psychometric tests and questionnaires (identify here)

C. Review of Medical Records:

1. Past Medical History:

a. Previous hospitalizations and outpatient care.

b. Complete medical history is required, including history since discharge from military service.

c. Review of Claims Folder is required on initial exams to establish or rule out the diagnosis.

2. Present Medical History - over the past one year.

a. Frequency, severity and duration of medical and psychiatric symptoms.

b. Length of remissions, to include capacity for adjustment during periods of remissions.

D. Examination (Objective Findings):

Address each of the following and fully describe:

History (Subjective Complaints):

Comment on:

Preliminary History (refer to social-industrial survey if completed)

* describe family structure and environment where raised (identify constellation of family members and quality of relationships)

* quality of peer relationships and social adjustment (e.g., activities, achievements, athletic and/or extracurricular involvement, sexual involvements, etc.)

* education obtained and performance in school

* employment

* legal infractions

* delinquency or behavior conduct disturbances

* substance use patterns

* significant medical problems and treatments obtained

* family psychiatric history

* exposure to traumatic stressors (see CAPS trauma assessment checklist)

* summary assessment of psychosocial adjustment and progression through developmental milestones (performance in employment or schooling, routine responsibilities of self-care, family role functioning, physical health, social/interpersonal relationships, recreation/leisure pursuits).

Military History

* branch of service (enlisted or drafted)

* dates of service

* dates and location of war zone duty and number of months stationed in war zone

* Military Occupational Specialty (describe nature and duration of job(s) in war zone

* highest rank obtained during service (rank at discharge if different)

* type of discharge from military

* describe routine combat stressors veterans was exposed to (refer to Combat Scale)

* combat wounds sustained (describe)

* CLEARLY DESCRIBE SPECIFIC STRESSOR EVENT(S) VETERAN CONSIDERED PARTICULARLY TRAUMATIC.

clearly describe the stressor. Particularly if the stressor is a type of personal assault, including sexual assault, provide information, with examples, if possible.

* indicate overall level of traumatic stress exposure (high, moderate, low) based on frequency and severity of incident exposure (refer to trauma assessment scale scores described in Appendix :D.

* citations or medals received

* disciplinary infractions or other adjustment problems during military

NOTE: Service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) requires medical evidence establishing a diagnosis of the condition that conforms to the diagnostic criteria of DSM-IV, credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred, and a link, established by medical evidence, between current symptomatology and the claimed in-service stressor. It is the responsibility of the examiner to indicate the traumatic stressor leading to PTSD, if he or she makes the diagnosis of PTSD. Crucial in this description are specific details of the stressor, with names, dates, and places linked to the stressor, so that the rating specialist can confirm that the cited stressor occurred during active duty.

A diagnosis of PTSD cannot be adequately documented or ruled out without obtaining a detailed military history and reviewing the claims folder. This means that initial review of the folder prior to examination, the history and examination itself, and the dictation for an examination initially establishing PTSD will often require more time than for examinations of other disorders. Ninety minutes to two hours on an initial exam is normal.

Post-Military Trauma History (refer to social-industrial survey if completed)

* describe post-military traumatic events (see CAPS trauma assessment checklist)

* describe psychosocial consequences of post-military trauma exposure(s) (treatment received, disruption to work, adverse health consequences)

Post-Military Psychosocial Adjustment (refer to social-industrial survey if completed)

* legal history (DWIs, arrests, time spent in jail)

* educational accomplishment

* employment history (describe periods of employment and reasons)

* marital and family relationships (including quality of relationships with children)

* degree and quality of social relationships

* activities and leisure pursuits

* problematic substance abuse (lifetime and current)

* significant medical disorders (resulting pain or disability; current medications)

* treatment history for significant medical conditions, including hospitalizations

* history of inpatient and/or outpatient psychiatric care (dates and conditions treated)

* history of assaultiveness

* history of suicide attempts

* summary statement of current psychosocial functional status (performance in employment or schooling, routine responsibilities of self care, family role functioning, physical health, social/interpersonal relationships, recreation/leisure pursuits)

E. Mental Status Examination

Conduct a brief mental status examination aimed at screening for DSM-IV mental disorders. Describe and fully explain the existence, frequency and extent of the following signs and symptoms, or any others present, and relate how they interfere with employment and social functioning:

* Impairment of thought process or communication.

* Delusions, hallucinations and their persistence.

* Eye Contact, interaction in session, and inappropriate behavior cited with examples.

* Suicidal or homicidal thoughts, ideations or plans or intent.

* Ability to maintain minimal personal hygiene and other basic activities of daily living.

* Orientation to person, place and time.

* Memory loss, or impairment (both short and long-term).

* Obsessive or ritualistic behavior which interferes with routine activities and describe any found.

* Rate and flow of speech and note any irrelevant, illogical, or obscure speech patterns and whether constant or intermittent.

* Panic attacks noting the severity, duration, frequency and effect on independent functioning and whether clinically observed or good evidence of prior clinical or equivalent observation is shown.

* Depression, depressed mood or anxiety.

Impaired impulse control and its effect on motivation or mood.

* Sleep impairment and describe extent it interferes with daytime activities.

* Other disorders or symptoms and the extent they interfere with activities, particularly:

mood disorders (especially major depression and dysthymia)

substance use disorders (especially alcohol use disorders)

anxiety disorders (especially panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder)

somatoform disorders

personality disorders (especially antisocial personality disorder and borderline personality disorder)

Specify onset and duration of symptoms as acute, chronic, or with delayed onset.

F. Assessment of PTSD

* state whether or not the veteran meets the DSM-IV stressor criterion

* identify behavioral, cognitive, social, affective, or somatic change veteran attributes to stress exposure

* describe specific PTSD symptoms present (symptoms of trauma re-experiencing, avoidance/numbing, heightened physiological arousal, and associated features [e.g., disillusionment and demoralization])

* specify onset, duration, typical frequency, and severity of symptoms

G. Psychometric Testing Results

* provide psychological testing if deemed necessary

* provide specific evaluation information required by the rating board or on a BVA Remand.

* comment on validity of psychological test results

* provide scores for PTSD psychometric assessments administered

* state whether PTSD psychometric measures are consistent or inconsistent with a diagnosis of PTSD, based on normative data and established "cutting scores" (cutting scores that are consistent with or supportive of a PTSD diagnosis are as follows: PCL > 50; Mississippi Scale > 107; MMPI PTSD subscale a score > 28; MMPI code type: 2-8 or 2-7-8)

* state degree of severity of PTSD symptoms based on psychometric data (mild, moderate, or severe)

* describe findings from psychological tests measuring problems other than PTSD (MMPI, etc.)

H. Diagnosis

1. The Diagnosis must conform to DSM-IV and be supported by the findings on the examination report.

2. If there are multiple mental disorders, delineate to the extent possible the symptoms associated with each and a discussion of relationship.

3. Evaluation is based on the effects of the signs and symptoms on occupational and social functioning.

NOTE: VA is prohibited by statute, 38 U.S.C. § 1110, from paying compensation for a disability that is a result of the veteran's own ALCOHOL OR DRUG ABUSE. However, when a veteran's alcohol or drug abuse disability is secondary to or is caused or aggravated by a primary service-connected disorder, the veteran may be entitled to compensation. See Allen v. Principi, 237 F.3d 1368, 1381 (Fed. Cir. 2001). Therefore, it is important to determine the relationship, if any, between a service-connected disorder and a disability resulting from the veteran's alcohol or drug abuse.

I. Diagnostic Status

Axis I disorders

Axis II disorders

Axis III disorders

Axis IV (psychosocial and environmental problems)

Axis V (GAF score - current)

J. Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF):

NOTE: The complete multi-axial format as specified by DSM-IV may be required by BVA REMAND or specifically requested by the rating specialist. If so, include the GAF score and note whether it refers to current functioning. A BVA REMAND may also request, in addition to an overall GAF score, that a separate GAF score be provided for each mental disorder present when there are multiple Axis I or Axis II diagnoses and not all are service-connected. If separate GAF scores can be given, an explanation and discussion of the rationale is needed. If it is not possible, an explanation as to why not is needed. (See the above note pertaining to alcohol or drug abuse, the effects of which cannot be used to assess the effects of a service-connected condition.)

DSM-IV is only for application from 11/7/96 on. Therefore, when applicable note whether the diagnosis of PTSD was supportable under DSM-III-R prior to that date. The prior criteria under DSM-III-R are provided as an attachment.

K. Capacity to Manage Financial Affairs

Mental competency, for VA benefits purposes, refers only to the ability of the veteran to manage VA benefit payments in his or her own best interest, and not to any other subject. Mental incompetency, for VA benefits purposes, means that the veteran, because of injury or disease, is not capable of managing benefit payments in his or her best interest. In order to assist raters in making a legal determination as to competency, please address the following:

What is the impact of injury or disease on the veteran's ability to manage his or her financial affairs, including consideration of such things as knowing the amount of his or her VA benefit payment, knowing the amounts and types of bills owed monthly, and handling the payment prudently? Does the veteran handle the money and pay the bills himself or herself?

Based on your examination, do you believe that the veteran is capable of managing his or her financial affairs? Please provide examples to support your conclusion.

If you believe a Social Work Service assessment is needed before you can give your opinion on the veteran's ability to manage his or her financial affairs, please explain why.

L. Other Opinion:

Furnish any other specific opinion requested by the rating board or BVA remand (furnish the complete rationale and citation of medical texts or treatise supporting opinion, if medical literature review was undertaken). If the requested opinion is medically not ascertainable on exam or testing please state WHY. If the requested opinion can not be expressed without resorting to speculation or making improbable assumptions say so, and explain why. If the opinion asks "... is it at least as likely as not..", fully explain the clinical findings and rationale for the opinion.

M. Integrated Summary and Conclusions

- Describe changes in PSYCHOSOCIAL FUNCTIONAL STATUS and QUALITY of LIFE following trauma exposure (performance in employment or schooling, routine responsibilities of self care, family role functioning, physical health, social/interpersonal relationships, recreation/leisure pursuits)

- Describe linkage between PTSD symptoms and aforementioned changes in impairment in functional status and quality of life. Particularly in cases where a veteran is unemployed, specific details about the effects of PTSD and its symptoms on employment are especially important.

- If possible, describe extent to which disorders other than PTSD (e.g., substance use disorders) are independently responsible for impairment in psychosocial adjustment and quality of life. If this is not possible, explain why (e.g., substance use had onset after PTSD and clearly is a means of coping with PTSD symptoms).

- If possible, describe pre-trauma risk factors or characteristics that may have rendered the veteran vulnerable to developing PTSD subsequent to trauma exposure.

- If possible, state prognosis for improvement of psychiatric condition and impairments in functional status.

- Comment on whether veteran is capable of managing his or her financial affairs.

Signature: Date:

Hope this helps!

Vike 17

[carlie]

Payback,

My suggestion, well just one for now.

If you don't usually wake up and scrub your face and teeth, iron and starch you clothes nice and pretty, walk around smiling and happy enjoying hearing the birdies go Tweet tweet tweet, eat a good breakfast, tilt your hat to all and say with a smile, "Top of the morning to you" then don't pick this day to start doing it. Be your normal self and let your problems show through.

jmho

Edited August 27, 2006 by carlie

[vaf]

I've read it here that you should keep in mind your worst day regarding the condition being evaluated. That's the level of impact that should come across in your C & P.

Avoid the knee-jerk automatic responses we give to people every day when we respond "Fine" to the question, "How are you?" I can tell you from experience, you'll get to read that in your C & P evaluation, but it will probably be embellished, something like, "Veteran appears socially and appropriately responsive."

[john999]

One thing is that I would be aware that the examiner is looking at you as far as how you make eye contact and your general appearance. They may be watching you in the waiting room as well. This is an absolute fact.

[vaf]

You may find this useful, too.

http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/35/6...e%20meeting.pdf

Your doc can review this and proceed accordingly.

I did some research on "flattened affect" as it relates to PTSD:

1) unchanging facial expression

2) decreased spontaneous movement

3) paucity of expressive gestures

4) poor eye contact

5) affective nonresponsivity

6) inappropriate affect

7) lack of vocal inflections

[Patrick428]

All these tips are fine and in many ways provide you an avenue to reach your rating for PTSD. Having done many C and Ps, all the information you get about how an exam will be or not be done, will be of little help. I did C and Ps my way, other doctors did them their way. So, the best answer I can suggest to you is just be as honest as you can about your situation. I find that honesty backed up by solid information the best path to a higher rating. Bringing internet information, pictures of yourself stadning next to a bunker in Vietnam or elswhere, has little value in a C and P.

One must understand each doctor you see at a C and P are individuals with different attitudes and behaviors. Unfortunately for every 5 good doctors, you get 1 bad one. One must understand that someone's doctor (private or public) graduated last in his or her class.

I understand reaching out and seeking as much information as you can. The better informed you are the better the understanding of things. But in the end, your honesty will pay off in the long run.

Don't go into a C and P with the idea you can "bullshit Joe shit the doctor man!!" C and P doctors attend seminars routinely to weed out the wannabees and the fakers. That is not to say no one is able to fake their way through the system. It is done all the time. But the doctors are getting better at sifting through the wannabees and the more training they get and the more examples that are out there, makes it much more difficult than has been in the past.

Just have your facts straight and be honest and it will serve you better.

Patrick