Psych consult for SSI?

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I am applying for SSI. The "last step" in the process is to have a "mental examination" by one of their psychologists. It's scheduled for 2 hours. I. Am. Freaking. Out.

In addition to HFA, I also have a hefty dose of anxiety. I don't handle thing well when I don't know exactly what's going to happen. Oddly enough, that's likely to help my SSI case, but I still need to have a bit of an idea of what to expect for a 2-hour evaluation from a strange doctor. I don't like strange people. I don't like doctors. I don't like new offices. Not to mention that I'm rarely, rarely verbal for an entire 2 hours. Is it okay to bring my computer, or do I just crap out on my words if I lose them, and let the doctor deal with it? I'm not trying to game the system, or anything like that, I'm just trying not to panic. I'd like to at least walk into the appointment able to speak, and not lose my words from anxiety before I even get there.

Thanks

Like you said, sounds like panic might work in your favor.

Just go and be yourself.

I don't think you are expected to talk the two hours long! (no one would do)
But don't bring your computer. Just go there and explain the nervousness to the doctor, and how you feel.

It will be all right.

I'm gonna be applying for SSI, too. ASD plus weak back and osteoarthritis due to low grade spina bifida. Very difficult for me to keep a regular job. SSI and my freelancing should keep me in a comfortable place for a while.

Don't worry about the anxiety. Just do whatever you normally do to take care of it (well, don't go running out of the psychiatrist's office unless you're trying to prevent an all out meltdown).

Tell them the truth. This isn't the time to make yourself look better than you are. I know a lot of us have a habit of doing that, to try to make sure people know we are worth something; but you've got to drop it now.

What I got, basically, was a brief mental status exam (it's easy; they're just checking to be sure you're thinking relatively clearly), and then talking to a psychologist about my normal daily life. It's a little embarrassing; but by now you should be used to that since you have already most likely fielded questions about your toilet habits and whether you are having hallucinations.

The point is just to get through it, give them a realistic picture of the problems your disability causes, and get out. Once you have it, you've got a couple years' breathing space. For example, I'm considered to be disabled with a possibility of improvement; so I get re-evaluated in five years.

Use that time you don't have to worry about the bare minimum of scraping together a living to grab all the resources you can--vocational rehabilitation, community or four-year college, trade school, etc.--to try to get yourself employed. Look into the PASS program, which lets you set aside some of the money you may happen to earn for things like getting an education or building a business.

I say that because I really think most autistic people can work, given the right jobs; and that the work place is really opening up to us, newly this decade, and the more disabled people are in it the more normal it will become to hire us. Unfortunately, the other reason (beyond having something useful to do instead of turning into a lump at home) is that you are less vulnerable to all sorts of exploitation if you are supporting yourself. It's wrong, but that's the way it is, and likely to be that way for a good long time. And, if you're looking at the carrot instead of the stick end of the deal, there's the possibility of financial security to look at, if you have a job that's relatively secure and/or keep a good total in your savings account, neither of which you're likely to manage on disability.

Oddly enough, getting on disability was my first step to getting to work. Last summer, I managed an eight-week internship, which was the first time I had been successfully employed and not terminated due to incompetence or quit due to extreme stress. When you're on disability, a lot of things get opened to you--all the programs for disabled people who want to get employed and self-supporting. Even if you can't get self-supporting you can probably get employment, part time or volunteer, in your area of special interest if at all possible, which is WAY better than nothing to do.