Below are two stories from wonderful and kindhearted readers who shared copies of their neuropsychological reports. These reports offer insightful and detailed documentation of evaluating problems with memory, focus and concentration in patients with Fibromyalgia, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
If you are working with a neuropsychologist who is not familiar with evaluation of Fibromyalgia and ME patients (but is open to learning more) you may wish to share these reports with them.
Lilac’s Neuropsychological Evaluation with Dr. Bekken
Lilac had two neuropsychological assessments with very different results!
The first assessment was from a local neuropsychologist who did not have knowledge or expertise in Fibromyalgia. The report concluded that the test data “does not support any significant cognitive functioning deficit” and lists diagnostic impressions as “depression and anxiety”.
After this, Lilac had a neuropsychological evaluation performed by Dr. Kaaren Bekken. This report concludes “evidence of significant impairment” and “continues to be totally disabled from work for multiple reasons.” The report also details the clinical evidence supporting her Fibromyalgia symptoms and the connection between Fibromyalgia and cognitive dysfunction.
Lilac was kind enough to share a copy of this excellent report written by Dr. Bekken:
Neuropsychological Report from Dr. Bekken
Neuropsychological Report from Previous Doctor
Christina’s Neuropsychological Evaluation with Dr. Lange
Christina Steiger had a neuropsychological evaluation while applying for disability for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Her testing was performed by Dr. Gudrun Lange, who is widely respected for her work evaluating patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Unfortunately, we have been told by readers that Dr. Lange is not currently offering evaluations (please check, this may have changed). Fortunately, Christina kindly shared a copy of Dr. Lange’s fantastic report to help others who are applying.
Dr. Lange’s report concluded that test results show “Dr. Steiger has suffered from an overall severe decline in cognitive function characterized by absolute impairments in sustained attention, speed of information processing, learning and memory that significantly impact on her ability to fulfill the requirements of her position.”
Christina’s Neuropsychological Report from Dr. Lange
Dr. Lange Reviews Neuropsychological Testing for FM and CFS (article)
A Neuropsychologist Looks at ME/CFS (article)
Iris Tells Her Story of Testing with Dr. Lange
Dahlia’s Neuropsychological Test
Dahlia had a similar experience to Lilac. She visited a local neuropsychologist and her test results showed cognitive impairments, but attributed all symptoms to mental illness. She was approved for Social Security Disability, but had problems with her Long Term Disability. (Long Term Disability is disability through your employer).
After her initial testing, Dahlia flew to a different state to have a second assessment with a neuropsychologist who was experienced and knowledgable with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Read her story here: Dahlia Proves She’s Not Mental
Neuropsychological Testing While Applying for Disability
Many of our readers with ME, CFS, Lyme, and mold and chemical sensitivities report that their neuropsychological tests concluded symptoms were caused by mental illness. While this type of mental health documentation can be helpful for Social Security disability applications, it can cause problems for anyone applying for Long Term Disability. Learn more about:
How to Get Neuropsychological Testing
How to Find a Neuropsychologist
Neuropsychological & Long Term Disability Applications
For ME or CFS, readers also recommend sharing with a neuropsychologist this report that include more information on cognitive impairments. From chapter four of the Institute of Medicine Report: Neurocognitive Manifestations in ME/CFS
What Do You Think?
Updated January 2019. Please comment below with stories, ideas, questions or suggestions. Please let us know if any links on this page stop working.
If you found this page helpful, please share it with others by pressing one of these magic little buttons:
How to Get On 
It’s more to detect exaggeration in insurance cases and court cases etc. Doing well in Consistency testing is good as it confers a high degree of trust in the patients and their symptoms, all symptoms that is, not only cognitive ones. I am clear to point this out in my reports. I also review and assess more than 70 ME symptoms. This can be redone over time and I have found this to be very reliable. Demonstrates consistency of complexity over time. Near impossible to fake or exaggerate 🙂 Through all of the assessments that I have done – several hundred now – I have not found anyone with ME to be faking or exaggerating. Patients try really hard to do the testing. That’s obvious. Plus it’s quite different qualitatively and quantitively from healthy controls. It’s strikingly different.
LikeLike
I skimmed through the reports and don’t see any objective testing performed for malingering aka “faking bad”. I know a neuropsychologist that performs the same neuropsychological objective tests and also tests for malingering.
LikeLike
I had 2 neuropsych testing that showed severe impairment. SSA had me also do a mini neuropsych that showed consistent cognitive impairment. I was approved. I have ME.
LikeLike
Oh my….I LOVE the art! So beautiful… ❤
LikeLike
I was actually found disabled almost 4 yrs ago, but can’t get disability due to not enough quarters/hours worked in a 10 yr period. I should have filed so much sooner than I did 😦 My memory issues have been getting worse again. I am actually hoping it is stress related…yes I know that can make the Lyme worse, but it scares me to admit how bad it is getting. But my stress levels have been off the charts for the last couple of years.
Good luck to everyone else applying, and DO IT!! Apply, don’t wait!!! If you get denied you can at least appeal it.
LikeLiked by 1 person