My Psychological Evaluation

[Ex-User (5841)]

After a recent bout of psychological testing (first time ever), I'm curious about some things and comfortable enough sharing this stuff. Mostly because it's cool... and because I enjoy being my own lab rat

I'm not sure which tests correlate to which results for all the tests, but I connected the dots on a few.

Spoiler

Tests taken: WAIS III (Vocabulary, Digit Span, Letter Number Sequencing, Matrix Reasoning), Wechsler Memory Scale III (Spatial Span), Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Reitan Trail Making Test, Wisconsin Card Sort Test, Stroop Color Word Test, Iowa Gambling Task, Reading The Mind In The Eyes Test, Faux Pas Recognition Test, California Verbal Learning Test-2, Grooved Pegboard Test, Conners' Continuous Performance Test 2, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, MMPI-2, Dissociative Experiences Scale.


The results, presented as they are in the paragraphs of the report. Percentiles in (parentheses):


Right-hand lateral dominance
Literal fluency: average (52nd)
Category fluency: superior (94th)
Grooved Pegboard Test Dominant hand dexterity: low-average (16th)
Grooved Pegboard Test Nondominant hand dexterity: borderline (5th)


Expressive vocabulary: high average (84th)
Spatial reasoning independent of motor speed: superior (94th)
Nonverbal concept formation: high average (82nd)
Reading The Mind In The Eyes Test: low average (16th)
Faux Pas Recognition Test: impaired


Auditory attention span: superior (95th)
Visual attention span: low average (19th)
Reitan Trail Making Test Visual scanning: very superior (99.9th)
Auditory working memory: superior (95th)
Ability to maintain and alternate between two mental sequences: superior (92nd)


Conners' Continuous Performance Test 2 (Test of sustained attention):
Reaction speed: (99.5th)
Variability: (97th)
Impulsivity: (99.9th)
Reaction time did not slow (6th) or become more variable (24th) over the course of the test.
Response times became more variable (92nd) as the duration between stimulus presentations increased.
Number of omission errors: average (50th)
Number of commission errors: significant (95th)


Divided attention: borderline (8th)
Focused attention: above average (82nd)
Iowa Gambling Task: Normal ability to assess long term implications of decisions (68%)
Wisconsin Card Sort Test: did not display problem solving perseveration (53rd) and did not display difficulty with maintenence of response sets.


Learning of word lists: superior (92nd)
Immediate recall: average (50th)
Delayed recall: high average (82nd)
Rate of learning after 30 minute delay: very superior (99th)
Use of semantic learning and recall strategies: very superior (99th)
Did not display retroactive interference


MMPI-2 & Dissociative Experiences Scale: Endorsed dissociative experiences at a frequency similar to patients with PTSD, unusual beliefs, unusual perceptual experiences, anxiety, and depression.

My curiosity centers around the following: This led to diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder- bipolar type, PTSD, and ADHD. Can anyone clear the fog as to which tests and results likely led to which diagnoses? Some numbers regarding attention are superior while others are borderline impaired (or fully impaired, like the Faux Pas Recognition Test ).

Something that strikes me is that I was diagnosed with ADHD, yet the psychologist explicitly states in the summary that he does not recommend the use of stimulant medication. I assume this is because of the schizoaffective diagnosis (or specifically, the CCPT-2), but it raises the question of uh... how exactly is the ADHD treated? Nonstimulant Strattera comes to mind, but does use of Strattera, or even a diagnosis of ADHD even fit with the testing results? I initially pursued therapy because of issues with attention, depression, and anxiety; and I'm walking out with quite a bit more than that

My general approach to this whole mess is to avoid labeling myself as X/Y/Z, since a lot of this conflicts (e.g. the characteristics of ENTP vs schizoaffective- bipolar type) and I do believe and acknowledge that there are some positive aspects to all of these newfound labels of mine. Someone once recommended that I view this as a gift as opposed to a disorder, which I'm inclined to agree with.

Some members who I respect and believe can provide some input into this matter (although others are clearly free to chime in):

@snafupants
@Da Blob
@snowqueen

It's all up for grabs. Ask me/comment on anything.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

I believe some of this (most notably the PTSD, which has officially been dubbed "chronic") has something to do my perception of myself as an "ambivert". Thoughts?

 

[Cognisant]

This led to diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, PTSD, and ADHD.

Oh wow you're an absolute wreck

Seriously though all you need is a hug and a little emotional support, that'll treat the depression and the anxiety and when they're better managed you'll find your focus improving too.

Unfortunately TLC dosen't come in pill form.

 

[snafupants]

Right off the bat, you can meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD with impulsive and/or inattention symptoms. The impulsive score (commission errors) on the continuous performance task seemed basically insuperably high. For the most part, attention and recall seems less impaired. I just know from experience that ADHD kids can sometimes have trouble with the WAIS-III letter-number sequencing task because it taxes working memory. To be honest, I'm not familiar with the entire gamut of tests you took. Having said that, there are some conclusions, based purely on this information, which I disagree with, especially the seemingly unfounded PTSD bit near the end. Was there some kind of semi-structured clinical interview?!

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Was there some kind of semi-structured clinical interview?!

Yes. I'm assuming the PTSD ("chronic", FYI) was based in part on interview responses, i.e. the reasons behind my multiple expulsions from high school and the lengths I went to to be expelled (I knew WAY too much chemistry for my own good), being raised in the socio-economic gooch of southwest PA, past incidents of bullying, etc. The problem is that I don't think any of that is currently causing problems, nor do I believe any of it has for >5 years. I currently experience anxiety for no apparent reason...

The impulsive score (commission errors) on the continuous performance task seemed basically insuperably high.

When I took that, every time I hit an X it was a "FUCK! *facepalm*" experience that took place within a fraction of a second.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Oh wow you're an absolute wreck

Seriously though all you need is a hug and a little emotional support, that'll treat the depression and the anxiety and when they're better managed you'll find your focus improving too.

Unfortunately TLC dosen't come in pill form.

So long as the hug comes with a solid dose of dry-humpery

TLC has been in progress for 2 months prior to the eval, which makes the diagnoses all the more nefarious IMHO.

 

[snafupants]

I initially pursued therapy because of issues with attention, depression, and anxiety, and I'm walking out with quite a bit more than that

Er, thinking about this issue another way, because bipolar subtype is one permutation of schizoaffective disorder, I can't really consider that two separate disorders.

In children who have a high IQ

There has been some controversy as to whether ADHD children with a high IQ have significant impairments. Research has shown that high IQ children with ADHD are more likely to repeat grades and have more social and functional impairments; more than half require additional academic support compared to children without ADHD. Additionally, more than half of high IQ ADHD people experience major depressive disorder or oppositional defiant disorder at some point in their lives. Generalised anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder and social phobia is also more common in high IQ ADHD individuals. There is some evidence that high IQ ADHD individuals are not at an increased risk of substance abuse and conduct disorder compared to low and average IQ ADHD young people. High IQ children and adolescents with ADHD can have their high intelligence level missed when standard testing is performed; high IQ ADHD people tend to require more comprehensive testing to detect their true intelligence level.[49] High IQ ADHD children have a unique neuropsychological profile which typically shows a gap of 20 points or more between the verbal IQ and the performance IQ when tested on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children; high IQ children without ADHD do not usually present with this sizable gap.

I found the bolded part perhaps topical but I have no idea how this helps.

 

[EditorOne]

I have nothing helpful for you in particular, habitatdoctor, however, this struck me with wonder:

Faux Pas Recognition Test: impaired

1. Who knew such a thing can be tested?
2. Does this resonate with other INTPs the way it does with me?

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Er, thinking about this issue another way, because bipolar subtype is one permutation of schizoaffective disorder, I can't really consider that two separate disorders.

I caught that first sentence before the editing ghost ate it.


Do you think it has anything to do with the fact your self-stated MBTI type flip flops more than Donald Trump's hair in a hurricane?

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

I found the bolded part perhaps topical but I have no idea how this helps.

Additionally, more than half of high IQ ADHD people experience major depressive disorder or oppositional defiant disorder at some point in their lives. Generalised anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder and social phobia is also more common in high IQ ADHD individuals.

All of that applies to me. I could blame one explusion on ODD.

"There is some evidence that high IQ ADHD individuals are not at an increased risk of substance abuse and conduct disorder compared to low and average IQ ADHD young people."

This is particularly of interest to me due to the hesitation to prescribe a stimulant.

High IQ children and adolescents with ADHD can have their high intelligence level missed when standard testing is performed; high IQ ADHD people tend to require more comprehensive testing to detect their true intelligence level.[49] High IQ ADHD children have a unique neuropsychological profile which typically shows a gap of 20 points or more between the verbal IQ and the performance IQ when tested on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children; high IQ children without ADHD do not usually present with this sizable gap.

^Now I want to take a full IQ test... It's actually entirely possible that such a gap existed because my verbal fluency has markedly improved over the past year, in part through my participation on this board.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

I have nothing helpful for you in particular, habitatdoctor, however, this struck me with wonder:

Faux Pas Recognition Test: impaired

1. Who knew such a thing can be tested?
2. Does this resonate with other INTPs the way it does with me?

That test in particular was the definition of cultural bias. It's a series of questions equivalent to "Does this dress make me look fat?", only in the third person. "Yes, it makes you look fat, now let's move on."

 

[snafupants]

I caught that first sentence before the editing ghost ate it.

Give up the ghost. Damn, though, you are quick.

Do you think it has anything to do with the fact your self-stated MBTI type flip flops more than Donald Trump's hair in a hurricane?

Well, I'm disinclined to hijack this otherwise interesting thread, but presupposing that question was meant seriously, I'd say the borderline-type ambivalence is more effect than cause.

At any rate, I find the composite descriptions and functions vague; also, I score highly on both thinking (Ti and Te) and both intuitive (Ni and Ne) functions, so it's really up in the air.

Socionics seems more accurate right now anyway.

Spoiler

Trump's hair in a hurricane - what a fucktard.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Give up the ghost. Damn, though, you are quick.

Visual scanning and reaction time ftw. 99th percentile.

:smiley_emoticons_mr

 

[snafupants]

High IQ children and adolescents with ADHD can have their high intelligence level missed when standard testing is performed; high IQ ADHD people tend to require more comprehensive testing to detect their true intelligence level.[49] High IQ ADHD children have a unique neuropsychological profile which typically shows a gap of 20 points or more between the verbal IQ and the performance IQ when tested on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children; high IQ children without ADHD do not usually present with this sizable gap.

^Now I want to take a full IQ test... It's actually entirely possible that such a gap existed because my verbal fluency has markedly improved over the past year, in part through my participation on this board.

I would put my ADHD sister's verbal/performance index disparity at closer to forty points; she was diagnosed very late with ADHD. She lights up the memory and matrix reasoning sections but doesn't know pretty basic vocab/knowledge. She also has some reading disorder. Honestly, though, she's probably the most creative person I've ever been around. I happen to feel that ADHD is linked to low latent inhibition and not innately bad or maladaptive. The low latent inhibition idea explains why certain personalities are more prone to ADHD and it partly explains the comorbidity between ADHD and anxiety.

 

[snafupants]

Visual scanning and reaction time ftw. 99th percentile.

:smiley_emoticons_mr

Yeah, I noticed those scores. Fastest mouse in the West.

I guess that's one plus of video games.

 

[Duxwing]

I was also psychologically evaluated, and the most interesting result was that I'm in the top 2.3% for language, a trait likely responsible for my well-written poetry, prose, and essays. Notably, the latter form is quite difficult to follow in a school setting, for I need the freedom for my writing to "flow" rather than the rigidity of a fixed pattern (e.g., the structure of an English essay).

-Duxwing

 

[EyeSeeCold]

This led to diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, PTSD, and ADHD.

Oh wow you're an absolute wreck

Seriously though all you need is a hug and a little emotional support, that'll treat the depression and the anxiety and when they're better managed you'll find your focus improving too.

Unfortunately TLC dosen't come in pill form.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEIQgdFYEGY

MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy: Research, Results, and Potential

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDMA#Subjective_effects

 

[Da Blob]

If not stimulants, then what - if any medications?

My thoughts are these.

Curses and blessings seem to go hand in hand. Any difference from the despicable 'Norm" can be viewed as either a curse or a blessing if one searches for both poles, the positive and negative aspects of any change or difference.

So one can't do something very well? Great, then one should not be bothered to attempt to do it - if it can be done by an Other for one.

Focus on those abilities that are generally viewed as blessings, where the test scores show an above average or superior level that can be accessed.

I noticed a couple of scores that indicate potential genius according to Gardner's Model Of Multiple Intelligences and of course, one is a complete incompetent according to some others. The genius should be exploited and the idiocy ignored (as much as possible)

So It Goes,
being an idiot-savant, by one definition or another, can be an interesting way to experience life. I should know - I have been doing it for 57 years...

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

I was initially saving my 1000th post for something else, but I might as well deem this a worthy cause. I'll make the next "milestone" something more spectacular .

Anyway, 1000th post. Woot!

If not stimulants, then what - if any medications?

Tangential response contained within...

Spoiler

I should first point out that there are very real problems afoot with attention. A fly in the room might as well literally be flying inside my head. It's also noteworthy that I now have no problems with the very idea of taking medication. I may be ~10% transhumanist in that regard.

Right now I'm completely med-free (2 weeks and counting).

I've actually been on a ton of meds over my life (none lasted long, trust me ), most as a result of readmission conditions after my expulsions. I can't name an SSRI I haven't been prescribed. Multiple antipsychotics? Yup. Haldol & Valproate? Yup. Mood stabilizers? Tri-cyclics? Benzos? Yup.


The only classes of meds I haven't been on are those that would normally be prescribed to treat things like ADHD and PTSD, but are basically automatically out of the question because of the schizoaffective diagnosis, leaving me in a clusterfuck. SNRIs, NRIs, stimulants, anything increasing dopamine; all off the table by default.


My issue is that although I admittedly experience "hypomania", it's never caused a problem. Sure, I can stay up 24 hours experiencing a flight of ideas (damn good ideas at that) and actually getting things done, but I don't exactly run around thinking I'm Jesus, going on spending sprees, or casting magical spells.


Everything that's being recommended now, I simply don't mesh with. Dopamine suppressors, antipsychotics included, turn me into a zombie (historically a borderline suicidal zombie). On lamotrigine, I can't remember what day of the week it is, let alone do school work. Abilify leads to uncontrollable shaking.


Most of these (sans abilify, haldol, valproate, a few SSRIs, & xanax) have been given relatively good faith efforts on my part, taking them for at least 1-2 months.


It's become clear, to me at least, that I desire norepinepherine/dopamine/everything-they-want-to-suppress like nobody's business. This basically sums it up in 10 seconds:

Spoiler

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSgqLVA0AOc

I'm extremely frustrated because I've never had a hand in my own treatment, and am considering alternative solutions (<- code for a suite of illegal drugs and/or research chemicals and/or OTC), which is ridiculous and stupid. At the same time, the pursuit of my ideas IS that important to me.

I'm not specifically looking for a stamp of approval to start snorting coke with all of this, but ideally some solution that I haven't thought of.

My thoughts are these.

Curses and blessings seem to go hand in hand. Any difference from the despicable 'Norm" can be viewed as either a curse or a blessing if one searches for both poles, the positive and negative aspects of any change or difference.

So one can't do something very well? Great, then one should not be bothered to attempt to do it - if it can be done by an Other for one.

Focus on those abilities that are generally viewed as blessings, where the test scores show an above average or superior level that can be accessed.

I noticed a couple of scores that indicate potential genius according to Gardner's Model Of Multiple Intelligences and of course, one is a complete incompetent according to some others. The genius should be exploited and the idiocy ignored (as much as possible)

So It Goes,
being an idiot-savant, by one definition or another, can be an interesting way to experience life. I should know - I have been doing it for 57 years...

All of this I agree with in one aspect or another. It just seems to me that one thing (inattention) inhibits my ability to put damn near every other attribute to use, which is frustrating. Otherwise I wouldn't be opposed to flipping the System the bird.

 

[crippli]

Congrats I don't have anything helpful either. But I was wondering about this;

That test in particular was the definition of cultural bias. It's a series of questions equivalent to "Does this dress make me look fat?", only in the third person. "Yes, it makes you look fat, now let's move on."

If this happened in a nice setting, with your true love. You see butterflies everywhere. And the sun is shining, even though it is a mixture of moonlight and light from the fire that makes you see your own reflection in her or his eyes. And this question comes after a looooooong wet kiss.

Would this really be your answer? Or did you answer so quickly that you didn't think of the possible settings?

And even more relevant. Does this dress really make one look fat? Why doesn't it make one look skinny?

My point is that I couldn't have answered the question. I would probably have asked the questioner if they are stupid. If they have even thought about the question they ask. Then I'd go on in length to explain to them the problem with the question.

--
So..I suppose I get the impression that you are impatient. But I can't see what it is that you search for?

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Would this really be your answer? Or did you answer so quickly that you didn't think of the possible settings?

That would really be my answer. She asked... If I'm not honest I feel I'm being inauthentic.

--
So..I suppose I get the impression that you are impatient. But I can't see what it is that you search for?

Here's the actual faux pas test: http://www2.psy.uq.edu.au/~stone/Faux_Pas_Recog_Test.pdf

As for what I search for, perhaps you could call it hypomania? Flow? The social fortitude required to... not be living in my office?

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

I was also psychologically evaluated, and the most interesting result was that I'm in the top 2.3% for language, a trait likely responsible for my well-written poetry, prose, and essays. Notably, the latter form is quite difficult to follow in a school setting, for I need the freedom for my writing to "flow" rather than the rigidity of a fixed pattern (e.g., the structure of an English essay).

-Duxwing

I second the issues with setting and structure rigidity. Do you recall anything else that was recorded, especially re: attention?

 

[redbaron]

To be honest, if you function well without drugs (and it sounds like you do), don't take them.

I wouldn't trust modern medicine as far as I could throw the CEO of a pharmaceutical company.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

To be honest, if you function well without drugs (and it sounds like you do), don't take them.

I wouldn't trust modern medicine as far as I could throw the CEO of a pharmaceutical company.

I generally share your sentiment on modern medicine, especially if I haven't researched the mechanisms of action for the drugs myself.

Otherwise, it depends on the definition of "well". Right now I'm kicking fairly decent, with a "Global Assessment of Functioning" of 55/100. The problem is that it fluctuates pretty unpredictably from having the world by the balls (100/100) to being in relatively dark places (35/100).

I would think the issue is with the root cause of the fluctuation, which I've pegged as a feedback loop:

inattention-->anxiety-->procrastination/dissociation

 

[Duxwing]

I second the issues with setting and structure rigidity. Do you recall anything else that was recorded, especially re: attention?

No, they didn't measure attention. However, they did measure visuospatial capabilities along with memory-based puzzle solving.

-Duxwing

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

No, they didn't measure attention. However, they did measure visuospatial capabilities along with memory-based puzzle solving.

-Duxwing

Ah. Okay.

@all

Upon further investigation I've determined I was given the Halstead-Reitan battery: http://editthis.info/psy3242/Halstead-Reitan_battery

*disappears to read/Google more*

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Another thread with interesting parallels to this one: http://www.intpforum.com/showthread.php?t=8216

 

[MichiganJFrog]

My curiosity centers around the following: This led to diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder- bipolar type, PTSD, and ADHD. Can anyone clear the fog as to which tests and results likely led to which diagnoses?

I had a pretty similar Dx a few years back. I think it was the thematic apperception test that did me in. They said I kept finding unpleasant emotions in drawings where there weren't any.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

I had a pretty similar Dx a few years back. I think it was the thematic apperception test that did me in. They said I kept finding unpleasant emotions in drawings where there weren't any.

That's one they didn't give me, but I'm assuming the "reading the eyes test" or whatever it's called is approximately the same thing. I was kinda hoping for the stereotypical Rorscach just so I could intentionally point out everything that looked like genitalia.

 

[MichiganJFrog]

I was kinda hoping for the stereotypical Rorscach just so I could intentionally point out everything that looked like genitalia.

Hoo boy. All I can say on that one is, if they tell you there are no wrong answers, then you know you're done for.

 

[snafupants]

I had a pretty similar Dx a few years back. I think it was the thematic apperception test that did me in. They said I kept finding unpleasant emotions in drawings where there weren't any.

Maybe that is a negativistic bias but there aren't positive emotions associated with thematic apperception tests. By definition, the stimuli are emotionally ambiguous. Those projective tests are too dubious and psychodynamic anyway.

 

[MichiganJFrog]

there aren't positive emotions associated with thematic apperception tests. By definition, the stimuli are emotionally ambiguous.

In some cases, that seems like a generous interpretation to me. I just looked at some of the TAT sketches in Google images. There's two where people have their arms or hands over their faces, clutching the wall for support, while someone is either dead or unconscious in bed. Doesn't seem that ambiguous to me. I dunno, maybe the point is to find out how you handle other people's displays of negative emotion. Maybe my problem is that I feel like I'm gonna get blamed for problems just by pointing them out.

Plus all the drawings are, like, 80 years old.

My general approach to this whole mess is to avoid labeling myself as X/Y/Z,

Sounds like a good strategy to me. I try to focus on the behaviors I want to change and why I engage in them in the first place. I had a poli sci prof who used the term "stop-thought words" for labels like "Democrat," "Republican," "Conservative," and "Liberal." I think that line of thinking also applies to psychiatric diagnoses to some extent. A Dx may be useful in narrowing down treatment options and getting insurance coverage. However, I don't think it's the most important element for finding a good therapist, which I believe has been key for me. My experience is that you just need someone who doesn't treat you like crap.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Just an FYI/update for anyone interested: I've settled on a medication regime. If all goes according to plan, it appears I'll be able to isolate glutamate inhibition and increase other pertinent chemical availability (dopamine, norepinepherine, acetylcholine, oxytocin, serotonin) related to concentration and depression. Here's the brain chemistry:

Lamotrigine:
Potent glutamate inhibitor and NMDA receptor antagonist
Mild acetylcholine inhibitor
Mild GABA inhibitor

Trazodone:
Medium serotonin inhibitor
Mild serotonin partial agonist (5HT1A receptor, effective oxytocin increase)
Mild acetylcholine inhibitor
Mild antihistimine
Medium norepinepherine inhibitor
Medium epinepherine inhibitor
Negligible dopamine inhibitor

L-Theanine:
Medium GABA inhibitor
Mild glutamate partial agonist
Mild dopamine increase (unknown mechanism)
Mild serotonin increase (unknown mechanism)

Caffeine (100mg):
Medium acetylchloine release
Medium epinepherine release
Mild dopamine release
Mild serotonin release
Mild glutamate inhibitor

Ethylphenidate (microdose):
Medium/mild norepinepherine reuptake inhibitor
Strong dopamine reuptake inhibitor

Melatonin:
Sleep aid and serotonin interaction

Vitamin B complex:
Aids in acetylcholine production, among other things



Things now permanently off the table:

Valproate & Lithium (they suppress p53, require bloodwork, and have many contraindications, among other things)

Carbamazepine & Oxcarbamazepine (induce apoptosis in cultured cerebral neurons and have many contraindications)

Ethanol (alcohol): Inhibits acetylcholine, serotonin, & glutamate, increases GABA and dopamine

Marijuana: Too much risk of inducing psychosis

 

[Da Blob]

Hmmm, I wonder if everything is not tied up with a wanked-over stress response system?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HPA_axis


Any change in the environment, that is noticed, produces stress. That is why most humans invest so much into being able to ignore stuff, learning to put themselves in a trance-state to ignore all redundancy and all changes below a determined threshold.

Self hypnosis may be an alternative therapy one may wish to explore (?)

If the ADHD prevents one from tuning down the stress response system in the Reptilian brain, then one is likely 'stressed out'. The problem there is that the neat chemicals released by the endocrine system to deal with stress are all poisons and it takes some time to flush them out of the system.

A diet that includes natural '(purgatives?)' could perhaps facilitate. For that matter, saunas and steam baths stimulate the sweat glands that dispose of waste as part of the homeostases process. Again a potential alternative therapy to supplement the meds.

Perhaps the greatest therapy besides the meds is simply understanding what is going on. If one understands the patterns one can learn to manipulate them to one's greatest advantage...

It just seems to me that the better course of action is not to become chemically-dependent on the meds to live a satisfying life, but then as humans, we all use tools and there is absolutely nothing wrong with using meds as tools, if they help get the job done

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Hmmm, I wonder if everything is not tied up with a wanked-over stress response system?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HPA_axis

Any change in the environment, that is noticed, produces stress. That is why most humans invest so much into being able to ignore stuff, learning to put themselves in a trance-state to ignore all redundancy and all changes below a determined threshold.

Self hypnosis may be an alternative therapy one may wish to explore (?)

I do believe that a core issue is (apparently) PTSD-associated anxiety. My running Markov Chain reduces epinepherine while increasing norepinepherine, so I'll see how things work in that regard coinciding with the cortisol hypothesis of PTSD. Unfortunately stress isn't going anywhere given grad school duties...

This is also interesting in that I underwent hypnotherapy (generally ineffective) and EMDR (questionable) for ~2 months. I could foresee meditation as something viable, if I have enough time

If the ADHD prevents one from tuning down the stress response system in the Reptilian brain, then one is likely 'stressed out'. The problem there is that the neat chemicals released by the endocrine system to deal with stress are all poisons and it takes some time to flush them out of the system.

A diet that includes natural '(purgatives?)' could perhaps facilitate. For that matter, saunas and steam baths stimulate the sweat glands that dispose of waste as part of the homeostases process. Again a potential alternative therapy to supplement the meds.

Agreed. Less pasta, more living vegetable matter (meat is already scarce).

Perhaps the greatest therapy besides the meds is simply understanding what is going on. If one understands the patterns one can learn to manipulate them to one's greatest advantage...

^This is my goal over Xmas break.

It just seems to me that the better course of action is not to become chemically-dependent on the meds to live a satisfying life, but then as humans, we all use tools and there is absolutely nothing wrong with using meds as tools, if they help get the job done

I'm clearly a fan of "all of the above"

 

[Ex-User (9062)]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEIQgdFYEGY

MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy: Research, Results, and Potential

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDMA#Subjective_effects

I don't trust this fruit cake

Spoiler

[bimgx=64]http://sugarconfessions.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/fruit-cake1.jpg[/bimgx]

Looking for a panacea has been the oldest trick in the book to get funding and guinea pigs...
What he says is:

• We don't have a good understanding of how MDMA works (lie#1).
• Some other fruit cake suggested that all conditions listed in the DSM boil down to PTSD (lie#2).
• MDMA can help us practitioners "alleviate" our patients from a multitude of ailments (lie#3)

MDMA is a neurotoxin and will cause permanent brain damage even after only one intake.
Yes, it alleviates the practitioner from the patient.
Just like its glorious relatives cousin lobotomy, uncle electroshock therapy and aunt insulin shock therapy.
It is very irresponsible of that "psychologist" to advocate this on the internet.
I bet a lot of depressed people go out and buy junk on the street because of this crackpot.

Bullets to the head have proven, according to peer-reviewed studies,
to alleviate chronic pain from most subjects...

 

[Cherry Cola]

Visual scanning and reaction time ftw. 99th percentile.

:smiley_emoticons_mr

Such hunter! Regarding hunter/gatherer theory :P

If only you had lived back in the savannah days.. you could have killed SO many animals!

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

Such hunter! Regarding hunter/gatherer theory :P

If only you had lived back in the savannah days.. you could have killed SO many animals!

Less hunter, more hypervigilance/being hunted.

Spoiler

 

[QuickTwist]

It is scary to see how similar we are.

 

[Goku]

After a recent bout of psychological testing (first time ever), I'm curious about some things and comfortable enough sharing this stuff. Mostly because it's cool... and because I enjoy being my own lab rat

I'm not sure which tests correlate to which results for all the tests, but I connected the dots on a few.

Spoiler

Tests taken: WAIS III (Vocabulary, Digit Span, Letter Number Sequencing, Matrix Reasoning), Wechsler Memory Scale III (Spatial Span), Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Reitan Trail Making Test, Wisconsin Card Sort Test, Stroop Color Word Test, Iowa Gambling Task, Reading The Mind In The Eyes Test, Faux Pas Recognition Test, California Verbal Learning Test-2, Grooved Pegboard Test, Conners' Continuous Performance Test 2, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, MMPI-2, Dissociative Experiences Scale.


The results, presented as they are in the paragraphs of the report. Percentiles in (parentheses):


Right-hand lateral dominance
Literal fluency: average (52nd)
Category fluency: superior (94th)
Grooved Pegboard Test Dominant hand dexterity: low-average (16th)
Grooved Pegboard Test Nondominant hand dexterity: borderline (5th)


Expressive vocabulary: high average (84th)
Spatial reasoning independent of motor speed: superior (94th)
Nonverbal concept formation: high average (82nd)
Reading The Mind In The Eyes Test: low average (16th)
Faux Pas Recognition Test: impaired


Auditory attention span: superior (95th)
Visual attention span: low average (19th)
Reitan Trail Making Test Visual scanning: very superior (99.9th)
Auditory working memory: superior (95th)
Ability to maintain and alternate between two mental sequences: superior (92nd)


Conners' Continuous Performance Test 2 (Test of sustained attention):
Reaction speed: (99.5th)
Variability: (97th)
Impulsivity: (99.9th)
Reaction time did not slow (6th) or become more variable (24th) over the course of the test.
Response times became more variable (92nd) as the duration between stimulus presentations increased.
Number of omission errors: average (50th)
Number of commission errors: significant (95th)


Divided attention: borderline (8th)
Focused attention: above average (82nd)
Iowa Gambling Task: Normal ability to assess long term implications of decisions (68%)
Wisconsin Card Sort Test: did not display problem solving perseveration (53rd) and did not display difficulty with maintenence of response sets.


Learning of word lists: superior (92nd)
Immediate recall: average (50th)
Delayed recall: high average (82nd)
Rate of learning after 30 minute delay: very superior (99th)
Use of semantic learning and recall strategies: very superior (99th)
Did not display retroactive interference


MMPI-2 & Dissociative Experiences Scale: Endorsed dissociative experiences at a frequency similar to patients with PTSD, unusual beliefs, unusual perceptual experiences, anxiety, and depression.

My curiosity centers around the following: This led to diagnoses of schizoaffective disorder- bipolar type, PTSD, and ADHD. Can anyone clear the fog as to which tests and results likely led to which diagnoses? Some numbers regarding attention are superior while others are borderline impaired (or fully impaired, like the Faux Pas Recognition Test ).

Something that strikes me is that I was diagnosed with ADHD, yet the psychologist explicitly states in the summary that he does not recommend the use of stimulant medication. I assume this is because of the schizoaffective diagnosis (or specifically, the CCPT-2), but it raises the question of uh... how exactly is the ADHD treated? Nonstimulant Strattera comes to mind, but does use of Strattera, or even a diagnosis of ADHD even fit with the testing results? I initially pursued therapy because of issues with attention, depression, and anxiety; and I'm walking out with quite a bit more than that

My general approach to this whole mess is to avoid labeling myself as X/Y/Z, since a lot of this conflicts (e.g. the characteristics of ENTP vs schizoaffective- bipolar type) and I do believe and acknowledge that there are some positive aspects to all of these newfound labels of mine. Someone once recommended that I view this as a gift as opposed to a disorder, which I'm inclined to agree with.

Some members who I respect and believe can provide some input into this matter (although others are clearly free to chime in):

@snafupants
@Da Blob
@snowqueen

It's all up for grabs. Ask me/comment on anything.

holy shit,
you've been diagnosed with 4 mental disorders which I don't believe in...

I mean bipolar is obvious in some cases,
and some severe cases of PTSD are undeniable,

But the test seems pre-determined to diagnose you with some severity of mental illness combination.

The test measures how "normal" you are.

If you stray from the normal, you must have a mental illness.

...are you kidding me? so society's abnormal equals mentally ill.

 

[QuickTwist]

Goku is actually right. Why put labels on everything?

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

holy shit,
you've been diagnosed with 4 mental disorders which I don't believe in...

I mean bipolar is obvious in some cases,
and some severe cases of PTSD are undeniable,

But the test seems pre-determined to diagnose you with some severity of mental illness combination.

The test measures how "normal" you are.

If you stray from the normal, you must have a mental illness.

...are you kidding me? so society's abnormal equals mentally ill.

Goku is actually right. Why put labels on everything?

Uhm....

Alright, peeps.

1. Consider the age of the OP.

2. Labels are useful for defining phenomena, which enables the understanding of said phenomena.

3. Not believing in something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

4. The battery of tests I was given examines multiple constructs with high validity and reliability. It took 4+ hours to complete the battery.

5. I've come to the realization that I will and do experience things that most people can't even imagine. In fact, many of those tests show that I'm better than "normal," whatever the hell that is. Strength vs weakness is a false dichotomy.

6. I don't like the psychological institution or ascribed authority. At all. I've likely been on more types of medication and under state control more than all the people ITT combined (with the exception of Da Blob, who worked in a federal prison). Don't make me get out the prescription drug manual...

7. I'm running out of points/issues to address.

 

[Goku]

Uhm....

Alright, peeps.

1. Consider the age of the OP.

2. Labels are useful for defining phenomena, which enables the understanding of said phenomena.

3. Not believing in something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

4. The battery of tests I was given examines multiple constructs with high validity and reliability. It took 4+ hours to complete the battery.

5. I've come to the realization that I will and do experience things that most people can't even imagine. In fact, many of those tests show that I'm better than "normal," whatever the hell that is. Strength vs weakness is a false dichotomy.

6. I don't like the psychological institution or ascribed authority. At all. I've likely been on more types of medication and under state control more than all the people ITT combined (with the exception of Da Blob, who worked in a federal prison). Don't make me get out the prescription drug manual...

7. I'm running out of points/issues to address.

...on the other hand, it can make a perfectly healthy human being FEEL sick, broken, insecure. The labels created all seek to categorize the abnormal in a very negative way-- they need to be fixed. And, the best way to do this is mind altering chemicals.

I don't fully understand these things, nor do I propose a way to treat the most severe cases.

How does a psychologist differentiate ADHD from a genius who is running multiple thoughts on multiple tracks in his head? I guess that is what they would call ADHD "inattentive type."

It's interesting how most IQ tests (and standardized tests) are time limited. Thus IQ is highly based on ability to perform quickly under pressure. Those people whose minds naturally tend to wander begin with a disadvantage when taking these types of timed tests.

So far I believe ADHD is a label whose sole purpose is to sell a lot of drugs.

one of my favorite ADHD videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

...on the other hand, it can make a perfectly healthy human being FEEL sick, broken, insecure. The labels created all seek to categorize the abnormal in a very negative way-- they need to be fixed. And, the best way to do this is mind altering chemicals.

I was most definitely sick, broken, and insecure before the testing. It takes a lot for me to willingly seek psychiatric help.

The understanding of phenomena is a two way street.

How does a psychologist differentiate ADHD from a genius who is running multiple thoughts on multiple tracks in his head? I guess that is what they would call ADHD "inattentive type."

That's what perplexed me. None of those tests were specifically for ADHD, I was diagnosed with it, yet I also wasn't prescribed medication for it.

It's interesting how most IQ tests (and standardized tests) are time limited. Thus IQ is highly based on ability to perform quickly under pressure. Those people whose minds naturally tend to wander begin with a disadvantage when taking these types of timed tests.

Pretty much agreed. Spearman's g ftw.

 

[QuickTwist]

I remember taking tests like this when I went to the psych ward. I remember being timed for something and I didn't want to be controlled by time and instead went about the exercise in the most cool hand luke sort of way I knew how to do. To this day I really have no idea why. I believe it was the peg hole test. I was pretty much catatonic though oddly enough I scored as having quote "Average intelligence". Beyond that I have no idea how I tested. I will call to get my results when the place is open.

 

[Minuend]

...on the other hand, it can make a perfectly healthy human being FEEL sick, broken, insecure. The labels created all seek to categorize the abnormal in a very negative way-- they need to be fixed. And, the best way to do this is mind altering chemicals.

I don't fully understand these things, nor do I propose a way to treat the most severe cases.

How does a psychologist differentiate ADHD from a genius who is running multiple thoughts on multiple tracks in his head? I guess that is what they would call ADHD "inattentive type."

So far I believe ADHD is a label whose sole purpose is to sell a lot of drugs.

Diagnosing mental illnesses is meant to be a tool to help the inflicted. Of course it can make someone feel bad, but in many cases finding the root cause of a problem has existed for a long time can be a great relief.

Even though diagnosing a disease can be difficult, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

The difference between genius and mental illness is among other things their ability to function. (Though several studies have linked mental illness and creativity).

ADHD is a largely misunderstood illness. It's not just about people being restless or thinking a lot. People with ADHD have difficulty with working memory, short time memory, organization, processing information. You can have a conversation with a ADHD diagnosed person IQ 140 and he will be unable to process everything you say. He hear words, but can't make sense of them quickly enough, even discussing simple topics.

There are some people who are diagnosed incorrectly. There are some people who were better off before being diagnosed. Usually a result of human error. That does not mean there isn't anything disruptive happening to others that would be helped with proper treatment (exercises, medication, therapy).

There is money to be made from medications, medicine in general would benefit from a less biased practice. However, there are strict rules and regulations to testing and there are people who obviously benefit from medication. You can't make a sweeping generalization that it is all about the money and nobody gets better.

 

[The Void]

I was once forced to visit a psychiatrist. I was asked to draw anything I want.
I drew the Void.

 

[Ex-User (5841)]

I was once forced to visit a psychiatrist. I was asked to draw anything I want.
I drew the Void.

Completely unpredictable.

 

[QuickTwist]

Did i catch a pattern in there?

 

[Jennywocky]

I took one of these tests before (the MMPI, or some form of it?) I was depressed at the time and I think I answered all the question so negatively that the psychiatrist couldn't actually assess anything. It was clear I didn't really calibrate my responses to provide useful answers... either that or I'm batty as hell and a danger to everyone on the planet.

.... hmmm....

I was once forced to visit a psychiatrist. I was asked to draw anything I want.
I drew the Void.

That happened to me once.
I drew a blank.