How to Prepare for a Mental Consultative Exam

If you apply for benefits with a mental health condition, it is typical for the SSA to request a mental consultative exam.

A consultative exam (CE) is a medical examination to determine whether your condition meets the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability. When applying for disability benefits, the SSA may ask you to complete a physical consultative exam, a mental health exam, or both as part of the application process.

If you apply for benefits with a mental health condition, it is typical for the SSA to request a mental consultative exam. This article will explain what happens during a Social Security disability mental exam. You’ll also learn the best ways to prepare to feel confident going into your exam.

What is a mental consultative examination?

A mental consultative examination helps the SSA gather more information about your condition and its severity. If the SSA decides you need a mental consultative exam, this isn’t necessarily a good or bad sign for your case. In most cases, it simply means that your medical records aren’t comprehensive enough for them to make a decision. 

Usually, the SSA contracts an independent psychologist or psychiatrist to conduct the exam. (Your doctor typically cannot do the exam because of the SSA’s restrictions and fees.) You won’t owe anything for your consultative exam. The SSA pays for this appointment and any associated imaging or testing. 

What happens during a mental consultative exam?

You will receive a letter from the Disability Determination Services (DDS) informing you of when and where your appointment will be held. Most CEs take 30-60 minutes, with mental exams sometimes running longer.

At a mental consultative exam, the psychologist or psychiatrist will:

• Review your medical history

• Ask you questions about your condition

• Conduct tests to evaluate your concentration and memory 

It is important to answer each question clearly and honestly to pass a Social Security disability mental exam. Don’t exaggerate your symptoms, but don’t downplay them, either. Present a clear and accurate picture of your condition and how it impacts your daily life. 

Mental health exam questions

The questions asked during your consultative exam will vary slightly depending on your condition, your situation, and the doctor conducting the exam. In general, you can expect the questions to cover your medical history, daily functioning, and memory. 

You can expect these kinds of questions in your mental health exam:

• Can you count back from 20?

• Who is the current U.S. president?

• Can you spell the word “world” forward and backward?

• What is today’s date?

• How are a horse and tiger alike, and how are they different?

• What would you do if a child came to you in a store saying he was lost? 

• Did you ever have trouble getting along with coworkers?

• How is your relationship with friends and family?

How to prepare for a mental consultative exam

Preparing for your exam ahead of time can help you feel less nervous as the date approaches. Here are a few steps to follow to prep for your consultative mental exam: 

• Gather relevant documents. Get your medical records from your current doctors, psychiatrist, and therapist. Take that paperwork to the consultative exam to make sure the SSA’s examiner has everything they need.

• Consider your current symptoms. Think about your current symptoms and how they impact your life. Keep a log of your symptoms leading up to the exam, and bring it to the exam.

• Be on time. Double-check the date, time, and place of your exam. If you miss your appointment, it will need to be rescheduled, delaying the process of your disability benefits application even further. 

• Always be honest. When you arrive at your CE and the doctor begins asking you questions, you might want to exaggerate your symptoms. Stay calm and answer each question truthfully. Lying about your condition is bad for your claim. 

• Provide specific examples. It’s helpful to share specific examples of how your condition affects your daily functioning. For example, instead of saying “I often feel blue,” say, “Most days of the week, I feel so down emotionally that I can’t motivate myself to shower and get dressed.”

“I think there is a pretty large misconception that it’s significantly harder for folks with primarily mental health conditions to get benefits,” says Jeni Popp, a lawyer with Compass Disability. “If a client has psychiatry records, they regularly see a psychiatrist and a therapist, and [their] notes indicate the standard of disability… that person’s got a really good shot at winning their case for disability benefits.”

3 ways to strengthen your application

Applying for disability benefits is a long process, and waiting between stages can feel discouraging. Follow these tips to strengthen your application throughout the entire process:

1. Continue your treatment. Keeping up with your medical treatment is one of the best things you can do for your health and to build a strong medical record for your claim.

2. Ask your doctor for an MRFC. Your psychologist or psychiatrist can complete a Mental Residual Functional Capacity (MRFC) form, which provides information about how your condition limits your functioning.

3. Keep a symptom journal. Tracking your symptoms can provide a supplementary record of how your condition is progressing, plus help you remember details as you fill out various disability forms.

“A critical piece of winning disability benefits in a mental health case is that your limitations and symptoms are discussed in detail in your medical records,” says Sydney Hershenhorn, a lawyer at Compass Disability. “The best way to make sure this happens is by seeing a specialist regularly and talking to them about your condition.” 

Get help with your Social Security disability mental health claim

Around 35% of people who receive disability benefits receive them for some kind of mental health disorder. Increase your chances of becoming a part of this positive statistic by working with a lawyer. A disability lawyer is especially beneficial for mental health claims and can help you prepare for Social Security disability mental exam questions.  Compass Disability can connect you with an experienced lawyer to help you navigate the application process. You won’t pay a lawyer anything until they win your case. Start by answering a few questions to tell us more about your situation.