why did my attorney a sk for mental evaluation with me

by Derick Heller 9 min read

The fact that your lawyer is asking you to take a psychological exam means that your attorney is doing his job. Having a psychological profile of you can be used for a variety of reasons. You have to trust your attorney or get a new one.

Full Answer

Who should take the mental exam?

Mar 16, 2022 · I am in a divorce and custody battle. My daughter wants to live with me when asked. She is 13-1/2 years old. A guardian ad litem was appointed. I requested a mental evaluation for mom. My lawyer refused to make the request stating that is …

When do you get sent to a psychiatric evaluation?

Apr 12, 2011 · So my lawyer wants me to take a psychology evaluation ... Find a lawyer by practice area. Start with your legal issue to find the right lawyer for you. Choose an area of law that your issue relates to: ... Ask a free question. Post …

When do you get a psychological evaluation for a disability?

Aug 11, 2021 · There are many more questions clients may have regarding their rights when getting assistance from an attorney. These are just a few that can help make things more clear. If you have any more questions, you may contact our offices to inquire about your legal rights. For a free legal consultation, call 833-552-7274.

What is a social security mental Consultative exam?

May 09, 2015 · What follows is a simple outline of how to deal with legal requests for mental health records: Outside of patient authorizations for …

So what exactly is a psychological evaluation, anyway?

A psychological evaluation, which is also sometimes called a mental health evaluation, is a series of tests, interviews and evaluations done by professionals to determine a person’s state of mind.

Where does the evaluation happen, and who does it?

Here in Michigan, mental health evaluations are done by Board Certified forensic Psychiatrists. They take place primarily at Michigan’s Forensics Center in Ann Arbor. This is a 210-bed psychiatric facility that provides diagnostic services to the criminal justice system.

Would a psychological evaluation be useful to my trial?

That isn’t a question we could answer without sitting down with you to discuss your case, and looking through all the information related to the case. Psychological evaluations are very important when they’re necessary, but there’s no way to know whether they are or not, without a detailed knowledge of the case.

The Kronzek Firm has a reputation for creative and aggressive defenses

The tough criminal defense lawyers at The Kronzek Firm regularly work with expert mental health professionals to gather evidence of diagnoses and treatment relating to a defendant’s mental condition.

What is the mental status exam?

Mental Status Exam. If you are applying for Social Security disability or SSI disability for a physical impairment, and there is any indication on your application for benefits that you have depression or anxiety, Social Security may request that you go to a MSE, or mental status exam.

What is a psychiatric evaluation?

Psychiatric Evaluation. Disability claimants who apply on the basis of depression or bipolar disorder, or a psychotic illness like schizophrenia, may be sent to full psychiatric evaluations conducted by a psychiatrist to assess the severity of the condition.

What are the different types of mental tests?

Children requiring mental testing or mental evaluation are often sent to the following types of exams when the needed: 1 Wechsler Pre-school and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) - (usually pronounced as "wipsi"), or 2 Wechsler Intelligence scale for Children (WISC).

Do you have to go to a mental status exam for SSI?

If you are applying for Social Security disability or SSI disability for a physical impairment, and there is any indication on your application for benefits that you have depression or anxiety, Social Security may request that you go to a MSE, or mental status exam. This may be the case even if you do not allege this condition as the basis for your disability on your application. In fact, it is very frequently the case that disability claimants will be sent to an MSE simply because their family doctor made one single mention of anxiety or depression somewhere in their treatment notes. Disability examiners for Social Security (much more so than a disability judge) are required to investigate the "potential" for a claim based on a mental impairment if any indication--even the slightest indication--of such a mental impairment exists.

What is a disability examiner?

Disability examiners for Social Security (much more so than a disability judge) are required to investigate the "potential" for a claim based on a mental impairment if any indication--even the slightest indication--of such a mental impairment exists.

What is a mental status exam?

For those with issues like depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, SSA will often schedule a mental status exam (MSE), which is meant to provide a snapshot of your current mental condition.

What is malingering in psychology?

You should resist the temptation to exaggerate the severity of your condition or to give less than your best effort on any sort of psychological testing. This is called "malingering" (faking), and consultative examiners are trained to spot it. If if is determined that you're overstating the extent of your impairments, ...

What are the different types of psychological tests?

What Kinds of Psychological Tests Are There? 1 Verbal Comprehension: Your score in this area reflects your verbal communication and reasoning abilities, and your level of knowledge about society and culture. 2 Perceptual Reasoning: This area tests your ability to solve visual and spatial puzzles. 3 Processing Speed: This score indicates your level of mental speed and motor speed, and your abilities in visual-motor coordination. 4 Working Memory: This deals with your ability to maintain attention, concentration, and mental focus, especially when solving math problems and working with numbers.

What is a full scale score?

The full-scale score is not merely the average of the four index scores, but it is informed by your performance in those areas. Scores of two-and-a-half to three standard deviations below the median are considered borderline low intellectual functioning.

What happens if you overstate your disability?

If if is determined that you're overstating the extent of your impairments, you will lose credibility with Social Security and you may lose your disability claim as a result. Some disability claimants are tempted in the opposite direction; that is, they try to minimize their psychological or mental problems, perhaps out of fear or embarrassment.

What is a mental status exam?

This examination is to evaluate your current mental condition.

What is the purpose of a psychological exam?

Psychological exams are used to evaluate symptoms that point to reduced cognitive function (low IQ) and for claimants with little education or a history of enrollment in special needs courses in public school. Mental status exam (MSE). An MSE is a common exam used to evaluate one's current mental state.

So What Exactly Is A Psychological Evaluation, Anyway?

  • A psychological evaluation, which is also sometimes called a mental health evaluation, is a series of tests, interviews and evaluations done by professionals to determine a person’s state of mind. The process is long, involving numerous psychologicall and psychiatric tests, which is costly and time consuming (that’s one of the reasons why the court...
See more on aggressivecriminaldefense.com

Where Does The Evaluation Happen, and Who Does It?

  • Here in Michigan, mental health evaluations are done by Board Certified forensic Psychiatrists. They take place primarily at Michigan’s Forensics Center in Ann Arbor. This is a 210-bed psychiatric facility that provides diagnostic services to the criminal justice system. It also provides psychiatric treatment to criminal defendants determined to be incompetent to stand tri…
See more on aggressivecriminaldefense.com

Would A Psychological Evaluation Be Useful to My Trial?

  • That isn’t a question we could answer without sitting down with you to discuss your case, and looking through all the information related to the case. Psychological evaluations are very important when they’re necessary, but there’s no way to know whether they are or not, without a detailed knowledge of the case. If you have questions about your mental competency,you need t…
See more on aggressivecriminaldefense.com

The Kronzek Firm Has A Reputation For Creative and Aggressive Defenses

  • Thetough criminal defense lawyers at The Kronzek Firmregularly work with expert mental health professionals to gather evidence of diagnoses and treatment relating to a defendant’s mental condition. We thoroughly investigate possible insanity or competency defenses, where applicable, and methodically follow through every aspect of the criminal proceeding to ensure the most pos…
See more on aggressivecriminaldefense.com