's MMPI-2 Test Results

[Guest guest]

> ...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