Re: 's MMPI-2 Test Results a la Tom

[Guest guest]

Excellant job, Tom. Very clear and cogent, as usual! Nan E.

--- tlarussa@... wrote:

>

> > ...can anyone who has had their psych test help??

>

> Hi :

>

> I showed your post to a friend who is both a retired clinical

> psychologist and an expert on the MMPI. She says you have much less

> to worry about than you might think. (She also has had a lifelong

> problem with obesity, so she's quite knowledgeable about how we feel

> about things as well.)

>

> I'm writing this from memory, so I'll just give you the basics of

> what she said in response to some of your concerns. Here goes:

>

>

> > PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT: Validity Scales of the MMPI-2

> > indicate a valid test response and an accurate self-reported

> > appraisal of the individual's personality functioning.

>

> This just means that you were truthful in your answers. (Yes,

> believe it or not, the test is so sophisticated it can tell when you

> try to fudge the truth.) Fudging would be a major sign of lack of

> cooperation/trustworthiness, so it's very good that you didn't do

> that.

>

>

> > Elevated clinical scales indicate moderate to

> > severe psychological adjustment problems.

>

> Remember to take this type of comment in context. We are morbidly

> obese people. This means that society has been treating us like dirt

> for most of our lives. We are the minority group that everyone is

> allowed (if not encouraged) to discriminate against. OF COURSE we

> have adjustment problems! This doesn't make us bad people, it's just

> a sign that life has been HARDER for us than for those of " normal "

> weight.

>

>

> > Individuals with similar MMPI-2 profiles ... (blah-blah-blah)

>

> Be sure to read this introductory phrasing very carefully!

>

> " INDIVIDUALS WITH SIMILAR MMPI-2 PROFILES " does NOT mean " ALL PERSONS

> WITH SIMILAR MMPI PROFILES. " It just means that SOME Individuals

> with similar MMPI-2 profiles exhibit these characteristics.

>

> Now read the next part you quoted very carefully in the context of

> what I just said:

>

>

> > " No specific factors were made evident during this evaluation

> > that would interfere with compliance "

>

> See how they fit together?

>

> The doc is saying:

>

> On the one hand, she has had a tough time with adjusting to a society

> in which obese people are fairly uniformly reviled. And, many people

> who have been through the same type of difficulties exhibit all those

> distressing characteristics...

>

> But, on the other hand, this lady is a pretty tough cookie, and

> despite all the crud life has slung at her, she has managed pretty

> darn well. In fact, she manages so well that she will most likely be

> a good patient, despite all the pain and hurt she's carrying around.

>

> See, that's really not bad at all!

>

>

> > " Ms. Blanshan reported that she has problems with

> > depression related to her weight problems and difficulties

> > dealing with possible residual issues associated with her

> > childhood. Etc...

>

> Again, not really very surprising. Most of us have such issues, and

> they can be really destructive.

>

>

> > It is recommended that Ms. Blanshan consider

> > seeking outpatient mental health services at

> > this time to address noted psychological adjustment

> > problems.

>

> First, this is just a recommendation. Second, what's wrong with it?

> All he's saying is that you'll most likely be a happier person, and

> have an easier time adjusting to the new you after surgery if you

> start to deal with psychological issues now, rather than waiting

> until after your surgery.

>

> Heck, it took me YEARS of therapy with really good therapists before

> I could even get to the point of deciding to have surgery. So,

> what's the big deal?

>

>

> > Her functional skills appear to be in the normal

> > range of functioning despite the severity of

> > clinical symptoms. She is capable of holding a

> > full time job and demonstrating follow through

> > with pre-surgical requirements.

>

> Again, he's saying that, although she has problems, she is tough

> enough that she doesn't let them stop her. This is a GOOD thing!

>

>

> > A trial of individual psychotherapy services may be

> > helpful while she is waiting for Bariatric surgery

> > and would assist in assuring that she be considered

> > a good candidate for the procedure in terms of

> > psychological issues. "

>

> Keep in mind. A lot of things are going to change in your life after

> surgery, both physically and mentally. It can only help, IMHO, to

> have a professional along for the ride, so to speak, in case you

> encounter any big bumps in the road of life. (Believe me, I'll be

> seeing my shrink on a regular basis over the next couple years!)

>

>

> In closing , you are not a " closet headcase, " you are just a

> normal obese person who is carrying all the psychological baggage

> that goes along with the extra weight. You have obviously dealt with

> your baggage very well so far, but let's face it, we don't really

> know what lies ahead of us when we start facing the world as " normal "

> people, instead of morbidly obese people.

>

> I look on post-surgery therapy as being just like my follow-up

> appointments with my surgeon. My surgeon watches out for physical

> complications, and my shrink watches out for psychological

> complications.

>

> I hope this helps,

>

> Tom

>

> Panniculectomy, Dr. Anthone, 11/10/2000

> pre-op 384 lbs

> post-op 360 lbs

> Open DS, Dr. Anthone, 03/30/2001

> pre-op 360 lbs

> 5/3/01 328 lbs

>

>

>

>

>

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