A Guide to Neuropsychological Testing

I happened upon this site while looking for information on my husband's upcoming testing.  I'm not encouraged. HOWEVER, I find it immensely interesting to read some of your similar experiences (my husband's fall from 25 feet happened 10 years ago and regained good (not same as before) function/cognition, but in the past year or so there is a very definite decline in his emotional control, cognitive abilities, ability to focus, etc.  Before even reading all of your comments I was wondering how they could possibly evaluate the changes in his abilities since the testers do not know who he used to be or how he thought/processed/functioned.  It does feel so very, very lonely!

Hi, I recently underwent a neuropsych test. I was told it was going to be 4-6 hours but the test was stopped after 1.5 hrs for reasons undisclosed. I have not yet seen the results of the test but am worried there are major issues because the test was stopped. Would anyone know why a test would be stopped so early?

I have been in three car accidents..8/2013, 12/1/2015 and 12/28/2015 .  I was told I have pcs/mtbi and will be seeing a neurologist on 12/9/17.  This is work Comp and I'm wondering how will doctor really be able to assess me?

I was walking at a controlled intersection & was hit by a city bus going 20-30km per hour, thrown 10 feet, landed on my head on the road. I don't think I passed out but my confusion was documented by paramedics. I had these tests done by the insurance agency doctor. All the doctors & specialists I see are Neuro but insurance psychological testing, if it's by insurance company, they say psychological or psychiatric problems not mTBI PTSD & traffic anxiety. Results; can't work or function 25 months and trying to fight insurance for treatments. Disgrace! How can neuropsychologist destroy a persons health? How does a person heal with no guidance? I've never had brain problems before and now the basics are too much. Isolation, confusion, rage, vision, thinking, balance, noise, lights issues but no help $ for treatment. First time homeless in my life but it's quiet living in car compared to apartment I had for years but lost due to trying to find own treatments to try & get back to work. What options does a person with a mTBI have with no healthcare professionals with experience have but I'm denied mTBI PTSD diagnosis by insurance. Thanks so much. Any advice or help appreciated.

Canada Not Free healthcare if you can't access & forced to try & fund a trip to USA or ... To have guidance.

My name is Amanda and I am a TBI survivor. I am scheduled for an evaluation soon. I was a nurse prior to an accident a little over a year ago and a mother to 3 boys 2 that are autistic. I specialized in taking care of Alzheimer patients prior as well. I now know way too much regarding neurological problems. These comments scare me to no end. I'm already getting the same response from all my doctors (mind-blown) some things are not in a book and I feel like a puzzle they're all trying to put together but there's so many missing pieces. The only true ones that understand brain injuries are the ones that unfortunately have them.

I was rear-ended at a stop light,  15 days hospital, had 2 test already and going for a third one to appease the insurance co. These test are so mentally stressful afterwards takes weeks to recover, one says "faked part" other says "worked very hard", this is a opinion from a doctor who never knew me and didn't see me early on, and is comparing me to other people he doesn't know. That's is ridiculous to rely on this test for anyone's care and treatment. It's insulting to me that the doctor that charges big bucks for this test doesn't even give you the test and then gives opinion on someone's life changing situation after meeting them for 15 minutes. This is a medical scam to all those who have suffered brain trauma. The exception for football players and boxers who volunteered to get their heads bashed in for big money, I didn't ask to get hit, and they get all the medical attention and money. Something needs to change, 

I suffered TBA in 2010 and had my 3rd N/Psch test 3 days ago and are awaiting the results. From the Corp field to now being unable to work it has taken it's toll on me and those close to me. My support people monitor me expecting me to trip up but I won't! The world doesn't understand Brain injury until they personally experience it, because we appear normal. Just trying to read this article and follow the big words and descriptions sent my brain into a spin, then replying on my smartphone is an achievement for me...I rest my case and my brain...cheers. We must continue to push or boundaries.

I had a massive brain hemorrhage in 2013 leading to complete left homonymous hemianopsia (blindness to the left side in each eye) and left inattention, along with some other things. I have taken two neurophyscological exams, one referral from my neurologist and one given by the Division of Blind Services. The experiences were very different.

The person my neurologist referred me to had her assistant administer the test. Once I told her that I knew I had left inattention, she told the assistant to remind me to look to the left! Guess we weren't going to notice any inattention then. The test took a couple of hours. I had to take a break in the middle due to my problems with visual overload. They completely ignored this. The result of the test was that I cannot work due to depression (which is true), but said that I had few cognitive problems. This after a double craniotomy and damage to both my occipital and parietal lobes.

The second test went much better. It took most of a day. The doctor gave it himself and he was a specialist in both blindness and brain injury. The tests were more extensive and more detailed. The diagnosis was much more complete and accurate (reflected my own experiences).

I think a tremendous amount of the experience and results of this testing is based on the doctor who gives it. This renders it pretty much useless since there is no way to adjust the results for this.

I have 2 test 2 years apart after a brain injury. Testing took 12 hours each time and I have no complaints. I think it was fair and done correctly. I was given the names of all test and my score. I had it done with by an independent neuropsychologist and her staff. I sought my own help after a brain injury.

I just received my results from my neuropsychological exam.  It turns out, that I am above average on most things with only 2 anomalies of which I was assured are of no major concern.  I have been exposed to the overpressure of over 200 explosions within a two year period.  I had the tests because I have serious memory issues.  When reading I now have to reread everything multiple times so I can understand what I have read.  I have trouble staying on task and the list goes on and on.  This has not always been the case.  I did not feel that the test covered the areas of concern that I had.  Oh well, I guess I am fine.  

Something is missing in these tests.  I have to assume that they work for many people, or they would not be used.  I just think that they do not cover every aspect of memory issues.  I had no problem remembering word pairs because, I created a small story to remember each word pair. I had explained that to the psychologist who had given me my results and he said that that showed a higher memory function.  I explained that I had been dong this trick for a while because I read it somewhere and seemed to help.  He repeated his original sentiment.  The bottom line is that the test did not address the issues that I am having.  I never had to read paragraphs 4-5 times to understand them.  I never used to lose track of what I was saying in mid sentence.  I never used to forget things within 5 minutes of being told.  It is possible that I do not have an issue, I guess.   

I see that many people have been called liars.  Is it possible that they made this series of tests so simple that nobody should do poorly, even with a TBI?  How else could they be so confident that anybody was lying?  I have to assume, based off the test that I took, that anybody scoring below average needs treatment (Lying or not).

I am a Veteran that has Cognitive Inpairment. I've actually had Head Trauma. I have PTSD. The Doctor said I was Faking the tests and that I shouldn't get any care. The Man doesn't even know me. Everyone that does know me is outraged.

I used to be a practicing general and vascular surgeon before I suffered a major stroke - at age 45.  I went through intensive inpatient and outpatient therapy and have regained most of my physical abilities.  However, I am struggling with the cognitive aspects of my recovery and have difficulty telling my evaluators what exactly I need to be able to do in order to function at a high level again (my goal is and always be to return to my work).  Herein lies the problem with these evaluations: they are very subjective and the person evaluating the patient has no frame of reference who the person was before the injury.  I have thus been very disillusioned by the entire process.

I'm scheduled next month to get this test done.  Almost 28 years ago I incurred head trauma.  I was in a coma for 1 month.  I had to relearn everything from 7 years old and up..  I'm 42 years old now and symptoms of forgetfulness, depression,, etc, seem to be getting bad again.. I'm looking forward to this test to give us some answers... I have a husband and we ace 2 children together..

I have come to believe that there is a well-organized conspiracy to deny diagnoses of brain injury now that so many veterans are coming home suffering and so many states are whining about not having funding to support or treat those with TBI - or enough providers trained to recognize and treat it.

My family is suffering incredible cruelty in many ways because I have advocated for my daughter to get the proper diagnosis and help - or at least not treat her like a criminal and involuntarily addict her to benzos - then take her off cold turkey, just because she is suffering from multiple accidents. In other words if the state of NC won't help us, then at least leave us alone.  They have taken my grandson from ME because I believe the TBI diagnosis given by a reputable neuropsychiatrist, and I requested the support the state claims we are entitled to but our area does not "have the funding for."  Isn't TBI punishment enough without taking my grandson from me and my son from my daughter?

All this material by the BIA and the VA on TBI and how they're helping so many and educating so many is all crap if the states claim they don't have funding for treatment.  I can prove that the doc the state agents took my daughter to for what was supposed to be a neuropsychological eval but turned out to be a computer screening -- misrepresented the interpretation of her test results.

And a veterans website says VA is doing the same.  If the states need more funding, and HRSA claims everyone ought to be screened who's had an accident that could affect the brain, then why doesn't HRSA give the states enough money to treat TBI?  If they don't then the states are not going to allow people to be screened, much less diagnosed.  It's all a farce coming down from the feds and the VA. The reality is people are being denied proper evaluation and treatment. They are being drugged with benzos - taken off cold turkey and truamatized more my the medical community that should be helping them.

To the Scientist - see a clinical psychologist, your symptoms are consistent with PTSD.

I had 2 concussions, one in 2007 and another in 2012. I used to be the most literate and articulate business woman. then following the 2012 I have tbi (diagnosed 4 months after the concussion), mild spasticity, vestibular disorder, constant daily vertigo, unable to walk more than 100mt, little balance, I slur, I have blackouts... even have widespread hyperintensities all through my brain mri...and have had 2 neuropsych evals. Both had me ill in bed for weeks afterwards. I did my best and I guess I was too good? They both said I dont have tbi even though it was diagnosed. I don't think that any thought goes into the mental fatigue of their tests or any consideration of pre-injury IQ and abilities. Am disgusted by the process tbh, my children are shocked at the reports.. the neuropshyc evaluater had made up all sorts of things in the report - and made tonnes of mistakes in history taking. All that effort, weeks to recover both times, only to be treated like a faker? Not impressed!

To the Scientist. Sounds like PTSD.

I have been through two, and now need to go again to please the insurance company.

My TBI was over a decade ago, and I did well for a while. Problems (noise sensitivity, transposing numbers...) have re-emerged.

The first Dr. was very good and went over the results with me. The second Dr. got upset when I asked if the high doses of three medications (4,000mg/day gabapentin, 300mg/day tegretol, and 200mg/day lexapro) I was taking could affect the results. She didn't know the common side effects, so in her review said I needed to 'pick himself up by the bootstraps". She was obviously upset when I asked if she knew the side effects. so she stated I have borderline personality disorder; no other Dr. agrees with her.

Pity the patient can't evaluate the administrator of the exam!

Now I am having problems again, and dread being judged by someone who's aim is to to prevent insurance claims. My problems are real, I am motivated to return to work, but find the healthcare system severely lacking for TBI injuries.