If you’ve been asked to undergo a pre-surgical psychological evaluation, it might seem a bit odd. After all, you’re about to have a physical procedure, not an emotional one. However, your mental health plays a significant role in your overall well-being, especially during periods of stress like surgery. Here is some info to help you understand why your surgeon might want a pre-surgical psychological evaluation, and to reassure you that it is NOT because they think you are crazy!
Pre-surgical psychological evaluations are designed to:
Assess Psychological Readiness: This involves evaluating your emotional state, coping mechanisms, and expectations about the surgery and recovery process. Realistic expectations are a very important part of undergoing surgery, and particularly a surgery that can have emotional implications, like a spinal cord stimulator placement surgery, transplant surgery, or bariatric surgery.
Identify Potential Risks: The evaluation helps identify any underlying mental health conditions that might complicate your recovery or increase the risk of post-surgical complications. A mental health history does not mean you can’t have a surgery! It may mean you and your surgical team need to get support in place before or after the procedure in order to have the best chance of success.
Optimize Post-Surgical Outcomes: By addressing any psychological concerns beforehand, the goal is to improve your overall recovery experience.
What to Expect During the Evaluation
A pre-surgical psychological evaluation is typically a straightforward process. Here's what you can expect:
Clinical Interview: This is the core of the evaluation. Your psychologist will ask you questions about your:
Medical History: This includes past surgeries, chronic illnesses, and any medications you’re taking.
Mental Health History: This involves discussing any history of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, or other mental health conditions.
Social Support: Your psychologist will assess your support system, including family, friends, and caregivers.
Coping Strategies: They’ll explore how you typically cope with stress and challenges.
Expectations and Concerns: You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your feelings about the surgery, any worries you have, and your hopes for recovery.
Psychological Testing: In some cases, your psychologist may administer psychological tests to assess specific cognitive functions, mood, or personality traits. These tests are typically brief and straightforward, not designed to “trick” you, but to get a good sense of your psychological wellbeing, any symptoms or distress you may be experiencing, and the best ways to support you in your surgical process.
Common Myths About Pre-Surgical Psych Evals
Let’s debunk some common misconceptions about pre-surgical psychological evaluations:
Myth 1: It’s a Sign of Weakness: Seeking psychological support is a sign of strength, not weakness. It shows that you’re proactive about your health and well-being, and the research is clear that good coping and psychological stability are predictors of better surgical outcomes for many types of surgeries!
Myth 2: It’s a Long and Tedious Process: Most pre-surgical evaluations are relatively brief, usually lasting an hour or two.
Myth 3: It’s a Test of Sanity: The goal of the evaluation is not to judge your mental health but to understand your psychological strengths and vulnerabilities, so you are well prepared for surgery.
Myth 4: It’s a Waste of Time: By addressing potential psychological issues before surgery, you can improve your chances of a smoother recovery. If you do have mental health symptoms that need to be addressed, it’s really important to do that prior to going through a major stressor like surgery. This can be the difference between a great recovery and a poor recovery requiring more intensive treatment down the road.
How to Prepare for Your Evaluation
To make the most of your pre-surgical psychological evaluation, consider the following tips:
Be Honest: Open and honest communication with your psychologist is crucial. Don’t be afraid to share your concerns, fears, and hopes. We are not here to judge you or trick you into saying something you don’t want to say. We are here to support you as a member of your team, and provide feedback and resources that will help you in your journey.
Gather Information: Bring any relevant medical records, including past psychological evaluations or treatment records. These can be really helpful in a presurgical psych eval.
Write Down Questions: Prepare a list of questions you’d like to ask your psychologist. This is good advice for any doctor’s appointment, especially as you prep for surgery and have many appointments with different specialists. I always recommend having a notebook or a note on your phone where you keep track of your questions and answers, instructions, and to-dos from medical appointments.
Relax: Try to approach the evaluation with a calm and open mind. Remember, it’s an opportunity to address any concerns and improve your overall well-being.
Start a Pre-Surgical Los Angeles Psych Evaluation Today
A pre-surgical psychological evaluation is a valuable tool for ensuring a successful surgical outcome. By understanding your psychological strengths and weaknesses, you can work with your healthcare team to develop a personalized plan for a smooth and speedy recovery. And hopefully, this information makes it clear that being referred for a presurgical psychological evaluation does not make you crazy! Dr. Reger can offer support with psych evaluations and other forms of support. Start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:
Contact (424) 262-1925 to schedule an appointment
Meet with Dr. Reger
Start the surgical process!
Other Services Offered By Dr. Stacy Reger in Los Angeles, CA
Pre-surgical evaluations are not the only service offered by my Los Angeles, CA-based practice. I am happy to offer capacity assessments, neuropsychological and psychological assessments, and cognitive and dementia testing. I’m also happy to provide med-legal evaluations, individual therapy, counseling for older adults, and mental health consultations and presentations. Visit my blog for more help today!