Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing
Psychological and neuropsychological testing are very useful when:
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An individual wonders if they have a certain condition.
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A therapist or psychiatrist needs assistance in gaining diagnostic clarity
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An individual chronically struggles in some aspect of his/her life but cannot figure out what the problem is, or how to change it.
Some psychological tests are obvious in what they are measuring. For example, they may ask questions about depression, anxiety, or concentration problems. On the other hand, some tests are less obvious in what they are measuring, which allows the individual to ‘just be themselves’ and not try to present or answer in a certain way. Two of the most common psychological tests which are less obvious are the PAI and the Rorschach Inkblot Test. (Both of these tests are given here) People are often curious about The Inkblot Test because it seems more like astrology or a psychic reading, but in fact, it is actually extremely insightful and statistically valid. It can detect less obvious signs of psychosis, depression, and suicidality.
What is psychological testing?
Psychological testing is a process which includes the use of standardized tests as well as a review of symptoms and history. These tests are based upon normative behavior patterns for the ‘average person,’ or upon the behavior of individuals who have certain problems –i.e., attention deficit disorder, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder. These tests are mostly not like typical tests where there are right and wrong answers. Rather, they are designed to get to know you in a quick and methodical manner.
Why is it useful to do psychological testing?
Psychological testing is useful for many reasons. First of all, it is often an expedient way to find out the answer to certain diagnostic questions, such as whether an individual has an attention deficit disorder, depression, or bipolar disorder. Secondly, the questions on these tests are not always obvious, which helps to ascertain a genuine outcome. For example, teenagers do not always want to admit when they feel depressed, but psychological tests can sometimes reveal that they may in fact be depressed in a way that is beyond their awareness. Finally, psychological test results are compared against the overall population of particular age groups, which helps to determine whether an individual’s behavior or symptoms are in fact ‘normal,’ or whether they are indicative of a disorder.