how do you go about getting an mri scan? do you have to have a special reason for one?

Question

i battle psychiatric problems and am waiting for a second opinion. ive been told i have a personality disorder and that i have no depression or mental illness. but i disaggree i feel alot of my symptoms have something to do with mental illness. in the past i used to have trouble contoling inner rage, and still do have to fight to stay incontrol, but in the past, i would start to feel detached, and i would get into staring, unable to blink or look away, like in a trans. then i would explode. in public crowed places to. i really made a show of myself alot of times. i would act out and attack people, barge into them, knock people over. all this time ive been wondering whats wrong with me. im 29 now. this has been goin on since 15. presentley i suffer terrible low moods and have no energy. ive socially isolated myself. i have constant racing thoughts flooding through my brain that make me feel disorganised & muddled up. i have paranoid ideas of persecution. and high levels of anxiety

constantly...i really worried as to whats wrong with me, i have deteriorated alot. im worried the second psychiatrist might come back and say what the last one did. that i have a personality disorder. when i strongly feel i have some sort of mental illness. what can i do?

Answer 1

Although conventional places need a referral from a doctor (so the insurance will cover cost) there are body scan places and even a mobile body scan van , that does not require a doctors note, but you pay upfront for the cost.
I saw one listed in Las Vegas, and there used to be several Mall locations with them.
Google MRI and body scan BUT remember, MRI will show abnormal masses but NOT chemical imbalances .

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=MRi++body++scan&btnG=Google+Search

I have also head that the PET scan is actually more informative in dealing with brain issues .

Answer 2

A doctor has to order an MRI scan. Sometimes a psychiatrist will order one if he thinks there is a neurological reason for your problems (like a tumor or to much pressure in your skull, or even non-functioning areas of your brain). But if your problems are caused by a chemical inbalance that won't show up on a MRI. Get the second opinion and maybe take a look at getting some counseling.

Answer 3

Get off the pity pot and contribute to society! Your not a victim just a 29 year old child.

Answer 4

it could be a mental illness....or it could be as simple as a chemical imbalance in your brain. the best thing i can tell you is see as many drs as you can afford to until one of them tells you something that makes sense or gives you some medication that helps you. good luck

Answer 5

UPDT ***** MOT*****FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE 2 B A ASSHOLE
*** YOU SHOULD BE GLAD YOUR NOT AN ASSHOLE OR SUFFER FROM HAVING "ASSHOLITIS LIKE "MOT" DONT TRIP ON HIM AND HIS "CHILDISH,SELFISH,AND NOT TO MENTION "SHITTY" EXCUSE FOR WORDS-KHARMA COMES BACK TO YOU IN STRANGER WAYS, HE CAN BELIEVE THAT ****




FIRST OFF, YES YOU CAN REQUEST THIS TEST, IT IS THE FIRST TEST THAT IS USED IN THIS SITUATION THAT RULES OUT ALOT OF ISSUES. IF YOU HAVE A GOOD DOCTOR OR PSYCHOLOGIST/PSYCHIATRIST THEY WILLBE UNDERSTANDING TO YOUR CONCERN.IN MEDICINE
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A MRI AS WITH ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT OR TEST,IT DOES NOT EFFECT THE PROVIDER OF CARE, IT EFFECTS YOU AND HAS EFFECTS ON YOU IN RELATION TO YOUR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.
IN THIS I MEAN,YOU ARE THE PATIENT AND SHOULD THEY NOT DECLINE MEDICAL ATTENTION THAT KNOWINGLY WILL NOT PUT YOU IN MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DANGER (WHICH IS IN THE OATH TAKEN),AND THE PURPORSE OF AN MRI IS TO "RULE OUT",ITS AN XRAY OF THE PHSYIOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF THE BRAIN WHICH MEANS IT WILL SEE A "PHYSICAL" BEHAVIOR OR PATTERN, NOT A ",MENTAL PROCESS"
WHAT YOU MAY BE IN NEED OF MORE IS REFERRED TO AS A "NUEROPSYCOLOGICAL EVALUATION". BELOW IS SOME INFO THAT I HOPE HELPS YOU,I WISH THE BEST FOR YOU AND I WILLMOST DEFINETLY SAY A PRAYER FOR YOU AS I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH IS VERY DIFFICULT,AS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED WITH MY MOM!!!
** KEEP THIS IN MIND WHENEVER YOU ARE IN DOUBT ABOUT MEDICAL TREATMENT YOU THINK YOU NEED,WANT,REQUIRE OR EVEN JUST ARE CURIOUS ABOUT-BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WHEN YOUR IN A DR'S OFFICE WITH A "PROFESSIONAL" PERSON STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU- IT CAN SEEM AT TIMES THAT YOU MAY FEEL DISCOURAGED OR NOT AT WILL OR DISCRETION TO EVEN THINK YOU KNOW WHATS BEST FOR YOU** BUT....

** IN RELATION TO HAVING AN ILLNESS, SICKNESS,DISEASE (however some refer to it) OR ANY DEGREE OF PHYSICAL/MENTAL BREAKDOWN
****** YOU ARE THE ONE THAT HAS TO LIVE/DEAL WITH IT
THOSE AROUND YOU JUSTHAVE TO "DEAL" WITH IT *******

YOU DEFINETLY HAVE THE MORE DIFFICULT JOB-DONT BE AFRAID TO SPEAK YOUR MIND FOR ANY REASON, OK?

MY MOTHER HAS FIBROMYAGIA/CLINICAL DEPRESSION/BI POLAR AND AT ONE POINT BELLS PALSY (HAVE BODY PARALYSIS),AND HAS SUFFERED MUCH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL PAIN AND SUFFERING NOT TO MENTION AT TIMES "A LACK OF PROPER CARE" IN THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY.
I AM A MEDICAL ASSISTANT (CERTIFIED) MASSAGE THERAPIST AND IN SCHOOL FOR NURSING,I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT YOUR MIND,BODY AND SOUL ARE WHAT MAKE YOU WHO YOU ARE AND HOW YOU FEEL AND THEY ARE POWERFUL FORCES TO BE DEALT WITH,WHEN THERE IS A BREAKDOWN IN ANY OR ALL OF THESE STRUCTURES.
I HOPE THIS FOLLOWING INFO HELPS:

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Another way to take pictures of the inside of the body, MRI uses magnetism and radio waves. It also produces much more detailed images than X-rays because of its ability to separate different types of soft tissues.

MRI uses the magnetic properties of the nuclei of the atoms in the body. When radio waves are sent to a specific part of the body, the atoms emit their own radio waves, or energy. This energy is detected, and a computer translates the energy into images. MRI can be used to look at any area of the body, and is especially useful in diagnosing disease within the soft tissues of the head, spinal cord, kidneys, urinary tract, pancreas, and liver. MRIs are also the procedure of choice to detect sports injuries involving tendon and ligament damage.

How is an MRI done?
After removing any metal objects on the body, such as jewelry or a wrist watch, the child lies on a table that slides into a tunnel-like tube. Radio waves are directed at the body, triggering the body's atoms to create radio waves that are picked up by the MRI scanner at thousands of places around the body. The information is then used to create a composite "slice" that can be shown on a monitor and printed for further study. The process is painless but can be anxiety-producing due to the child's confinement during the procedure. Sedatives may be given if the child is unable to hold still or is especially nervous. It is very noisy inside the chamber, and ear plugs are usually given to help dampen the noise. Earphones are also available for children who would like to listen to tapes. The scan takes 30 to 60 minutes.

"Open MRI" scanners are available at some hospitals. These scanners do not involve a confining "tunnel" and are faster and less noisy, making them more ideal for children.

How long will it take to get results?
MRI results are interpreted by a radiologist and sent to your doctor, who will present them to you, usually in a day's time.




Neuropsychological Evaluations are often the most focused, but lengthiest of evaluations. Designed to assess the neuropsychological functioning of an individual, these evaluations consist of batteries of tests that can require up to 8 hours to complete. Comprehensive in depth and breadth, they focus on the process of neurological functioning and should not be confused with neurological tests, often performed with MRI's and/or CAT scans, which focus on structure. Neuropsychological evaluations are performed by trained neuropsychologists and require extensive training for appropriate administration and interpretation. The two most commonly used batteries are the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Battery and the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery. There are cases where a complete battery is not necessary and brief screenings suffice; however, in such cases the screening is part of a more comprehensive evaluation focusing on another issue.

Mental Status Examination is often conducted as part of the clinical interview or may not even be directly addressed if the clinician is able to assess the mental status of a patient from observation alone. A mental status is a means of assessing the person's current thought processes, emotions, and interpersonal qualities. An individual's mental state can impact the rest of an evaluation and provides a clinician with a gauge to qualitatively assess and interpret data from other areas of an evaluation. The mental status can also provide clues to areas that may need to be addressed in follow-up sessions or outside referrals.