Neuropsychologist.

[Wazza84]

Hiya all..

after my neurology appointment yesterday the doctor has referred me to see a neuropsychologist. Any info on what to expect would be very much appreciated, thanks 😁

[pinkvision]

Hi I had a really good neuro-psychology assessment. It was 5 long sessions over 2 months. It went through a historical mapping of events that could be traumatic, then through factors affecting you since your accident (bring someone with you to verify this and describe what they see, it may be different from what you see).

Then the testing starts, concentration, various types of memory, language etc.

A psychologist friend advised me to make notes on the effects since the BI and said just lay your whole life bare for the rest of it.

Your whole psychological life gets peeled off layer by layer revealing your BI underneath.

The time between appointments was really difficult, the psychologist planted 'psychological seeds' that grew and bloomed. This seemed to make my whole life unravel, twist and turn into extremes. It's quite stressful and self searching and revealed realities that I did'nt even know.

I'm not sure if you will have the same type of testing but all I can say is just go with it and find the specifics that are affecting you.

Then you can get to the next phase, acceptance and therapies to reprogram your problem areas.

Hope that helps.

[Wazza84 in reply to pinkvision]

Hiya pinkvision.

Thanks for the info, things are a little clearer on what to expect.

It’s just the waiting game now.

You mentioned 5 sessions over 2 month, surly not good for anxiety 🙄 but if it helps I’m willing to go through with it.. thanks again.

[pinkvision in reply to Wazza84]

Hi yep 5 sessions over 10 weeks in fact, I suppose it helps to build a picture and 'peel off layers' leaving the BI exposed. After going through it I can see that, and I'd be worried if someone diagnosed the BI after 20 mins.

My wait was 4 months after the referral from Walton. So pretty quick really in todays health service.

[Wazza84 in reply to pinkvision]

Thanks again.. Hopefully I won’t have to wait too long.

[sospan]

It is much the same the Neurologist - verify the background to your injury and what you understand about it.

Then they normally give you a number of standard paper tests to assess your capability. Most of these would be trivial to the non-injured - e.g. a giant join the dots test. But are designed to be difficult for someone with a BI. There are some tests thrown in to see if you are exaggerated any issues, so you have to do the tests honestly.

There shouldn't be any in depth historical psychoanalysis, all this s about the injury how it affects and to develop coping strategies. e,g, some people don't like crowds or loud noises after injury. The purpose isn't to understand what is the underlying reason, just how it affects you and then develop some coping strategies - wear ear plugs or go to places early / late when they are less busy.

Don't expect a long run of appointments, most only run for a few sessions.

One tip, take someone with you to take you home afterwards as the sessions can be quite draining - at least for some of us.

Another thing with a lot of these sessions, you have to evaluate if what they are saying is relevant to you. Severla psychologists / neuro psychologists like to "pigeon hole" people. Sometimes what they say isn't the best advice - I was told to stop seeing the lighter side of things when I do stupid things as all I am doing is undermining my self - esteem !

[Wazza84 in reply to sospan]

Thanks sospan.

You were right about the neurologist so I’ll take your word for it on the neuropsychologist. I’ll just see how things go.

[sospan in reply to Wazza84]

Whilst not trying to be too dismissive of "therapists " and A having been on the forum for a long time - more than I can remember , one of the problems people find is that a lot of people go through all the tests, assessments etc. and then get told, yes they have suffered a BI go and see Headway (or other group). Then, they are discharged with no support or help. So you are sort of back to square one.

A lot of problems are expectations, when a lot of BI suffers / survivors go and see the "therapists" we expect them to be like doctors - take this / do that and your symptoms will be better. However, it doesn't work like that and they just come up with suggestions on how to cope with situations.

The problem is , it is just another hoop for us to jump through or in our cases stumble &, fall through

[Wazza84 in reply to sospan]

Suppose you’re right, one of the main reasons I use HealthUnlocked is because I talk with other BI survivors and they get it/understand unlike doctors who know but don’t understand 🙄

[sospan in reply to Wazza84]

Yep one of the problems is that many we see have no real idea what it is like.

One doctor asked me what my problems were and one of the things I told were i had trouble with simple sums now. His response was a lot of people can't do maths. We I told him I had a degree in maths and computing. His response was can't you use a calculator ?

[Wazza84 in reply to sospan]

I was asked “why what’s up with you?” The other day and I just thought “is that the question I’m gonna be asked for the rest of my life?” So I just replied “I’ve got a brain injury”. Even my GP doesn’t fully understand. Anytime I have “head problems” he refers me to a specialist.

All I can do is deal with it & talk to people here 😁

[sospan in reply to Wazza84]

I have learn't more from online forums and my own research than from any specialist or GP. Even my wife who was an ex-nurse couldn't understand until she received a concussion a few years ago and then a few days afterwards went "wow, I know what you go through now"

It is the lack of knowledge and support I don't understand. People have been banging their heads since cavemen carried clubs and knowledge if very limited.

However, if a person whom has diabetes needs help, it is there. If you want to give up smoking, endless support !

[Wazza84 in reply to sospan]

I know what you mean.

They’ve only just accepted invisible disabilities on the blue badge scheme & brain injury can be the ultimate hidden disability 🙄

[Sound_system]

A lot of replies have given a good picture of what to expect.

My wife also had a referral to a Neuropsychologist - her first appointment was recently.

The first appointment is actually just an introduction - no actual testing or therapy involved. It will be your chance to ask any questions you have and the Neuropsychologist will ask some background questions about your life and any issues you think you have.

They should then explain what a full assessment is and let you decide if you want to book further appointments.

[Wazza84 in reply to Sound_system]

Hiya Sound_system

Thanks for the info.. I’ll write down what I want to ask & hopefully be prepared.

[stedman]

When I first saw my GP I asked, "could my problem be psychological?" MY GP replied with a definite "NO".

They spray us from the sky, but no-one tells us why, Cameron and May must know as the planes come from British airbases, We, all, are entitled to know how this may affect us. The Chemical trails have reduced in numbers and intensity this year but continue, they can be seen quite clearly on a blue sky day.

This is a fact!!

[Wazza84 in reply to stedman]

🤔

[stedman in reply to Wazza84]

✔🤢

[Ro_76]

I saw a neuropsychologist for almost 4 years, and my last appointment was 1 month ago. This was following my head injury in July 2015. Initially they were very regular, but as time went on they became less frequent. During those years I had another seizure and I also lost my brother suddenly in 2018,. So it may be why my appointments went on for longer. The tests were in the first few months and they did help me to understand the weaknesses I now have following the injury. I had alot of advice on how to deal with those problems. I found it all very helpful, and now they've stopped I am feeling alot more alone. I hope they will be as useful to you too Wazza84

[Wazza84 in reply to Ro_76]

Hiya Ro_76

Thanks for the advice.. I’m sorry to hear about your brother, grief is hard to deal with & another seizure must have been a difficult time for you 😔

I think I need help with dealing with my haemorrhage as the last 7 years have been a blur and I still don’t fully accept it, thanks again 😁