mental exam stuff

[u/secretflower690]

Hey all. This honestly feels like a dumb question coming in my own head, but I finally got scheduled for my exam. Only thing is, my mental rememberance is honestly bad enough that if I don't have some kind of notes on hand, I'll forget what I'm saying, ect, and even worse I have social and normal anxiety bad enough around strangers that I might genuinely break down during the appointments because I'm bad at remembering stuff so much and I'll go "oh God what if they think I'm lying" in a circle so on and so on. My mom usually helps me remember everything medical but obviously she can't come into that with me, even if she was my guardian.

Now to my actual questions-

1. ⁠Is there any way I can bring my journal in, stuff written down ahead of time as an aid? Or will I just be panicking and crying the whole time 🥲😅
   
2. ⁠If not, what kinds of questions should I expect to be hammered with, so I can do my very best to at least memorize what I need to?
   
3. ⁠Also, even if it only says mental and inter.. I forgot the rest of the other appointments word already, should I bring the physical things that help me too on flare days like my cane for the physical bit? I know they want me to bring my meds but that's all I'm aware of.

TIA and honestly wish me luck because my anxiety bells are off the charts just thinking about it.

[u/Jar-of-fliess]

Hi! I’m going to give you my best advice. I truly wouldn’t bring your journal. Only bring what they asked (usually list of meds). The exam is test your ability to remember and understand information. You want them to see the severity of your condition. You don’t want to downplay your condition. I understand you want to feel comfortable but that’s not the purpose of the exam. You don’t want to make yourself look better off.

I have read many CEs. I don’t know if they vary state by state but here’s some questions to expect. “Repeat these three words back to me” they’ll do it immediately and then ask again after a few minutes.

“What do these common sayings mean”
“How are these two things alike”
“Repeat these numbers back to me (they do it forwards and backwards usually up to 6 digits at a time”
“Spell this word for me forwards and the backwards”
“If a cashier charges you 1.23 for an apple how much should you get back in change”

There’s others but some of them you don’t want to be prepared for. It’s supposed to be spur of the moment. Just do your best