MCMI and MMPI

[HeatherR]

So another therapy sesh in the books, and my therapists closing statement is, "So you seem all there to me, but just to be on the safe side, I'd like to rule out anything crazy, and have you take a psych eval.  Just so we can rule out any personality disorders"

Ok... so I'm totally ok with this... until I look up these tests and some of the questions involved....

By my very nature, I am very analytical.  I read a question 2 to 3 times before I form my answer and it is the reason I have never failed a test in my life.  This is my problem....

After reading a few of the questions on the MCMI, both yes and no answers could be damaging depending on their meaning.  Take for example the following:

"People make fun of me behind my back, talking about the way I act or look."

Saying yes to this would be reasonable, as I know for a fact people snicker and talk about my appearance.  I don't exactly pass with flying colors, nor do I let it really bother me.
But here is the problem.  Saying yes suggests paranoia.  Insecurity and paranoia can easily lump one into a personality disorder of some sort.  Saying no suggests lack of awareness...  Saying no is also lying as I do know when people are wide eyed and snickering amongst themselves....

Thus my dilemma.  Answering either way can both be good or bad, depending on how the results are tabulated.
This isn't the only question like this... I can see pros and cons to several of the questions, thus its freaking me out.

Call me crazy... (I'm starting to feel crazy hahaha)  but am I just way over-analyzing this?

[LordKAT]

They do take into account the fact that you are facing transitional challenges and dysphoria. If they wonder at your answer, they will ask you about your answer.

Leastways they did for me.


They also ask the same question in different words to see if your answers correlate.

[HeatherR]

My understanding of the test was that it has a fixed scoring method... which is what worries me...  But I will go ahead and just try to shoo away these worries.

[kelly_aus]

My therapist has never made me do any tests like that..

[KabitTarah]

I just wouldn't be able to lie just to give the answer they're looking for on something like this... and the truthful answer doesn't say how you feel about the answer. I don't really understand how this sort of test is good for anything. A psych test can't tell you if you're transgender (COAGTI)... but I'll admit I don't know much psychology.

If there are "feelings" questions on there... and the bulk of the questions are about how you feel about your answers... then disregard what I said. The question you gave as an example, though... has only one right answer and that is "yes." That answer is true for absolutely everyone because you can safely assume that "people" does not carry the meaning "everyone" (for which the answer would always be "no") but "some people." All people are made fun of behind their backs by some people sometimes, thus the question is invalid.

[suzifrommd]

The MMPI is a carefully crafted test, calibrated not only to diagnose psychiatric conditions, but also to detect lying.

I've taken it a few times. I don't have a high opinion of it. I hope your therapist knows how to take the results in the context of the other things you say.

[Bimmer Guy]

What I don't understand is why there is an expectation that you take this test, anyway?  So what if you did have a personality disorder?  A personality disorder does not mean that you aren't of your right mind or don't know your gender.  The usefulness of this type of testing would be more for therapy itself as people with these diagnoses may struggle more in their social relationships, work, etc., due to their perceptions of the world.  So, yeah, testing to help you navigate your relationships/work life, but I don't understand why this test would be useful in determining if one is clear on their gender or not.

Perhaps these tests are given as a matter of course along with other tests that would make more sense to take.  Meaning, a test package, so to speak?

Try not to stress too much, I am sure, as others have said, it will be taken in context.  If the test shows that you have a higher level of conscious of others around you, for eample, that can easily be explained away by your situation (being trans* in a transphobic society).  This probably a common result they see.  Plus, a decent therapist should be able to determine that versus true paranoia with a simple conversation with a person.

[kelly_aus]

My personal opinion has always been these tests are the last refuge of the lazy therapist..  Like I said, I've never been asked to do any such tests. My therapist determined that I had no isses beyond gender by talking to me.

[Devlyn]

The MMPI is proven science. It reveals your personality type, no more, no less. It's very accurate, and carefully designed as Suzi stated. It has many, many questions, some are rephrased over and over. That reveals your true feelings and foils trying to skew the test. It is usually timed to give you little opportunity for pondering or going back to change answers. There are many subjective questions with no right or wrong answer such as "Which do you value more, honesty or fairness?"

I found the test to be very accurate, reinforcing what I already knew about myself and giving me insights to myself that literally made me tear up.  I'm an ISTP, by the way. Hugs, Devlyn

[KabitTarah]

The MMPI is proven science. It reveals your personality type, no more, no less. It's very accurate, and carefully designed as Suzi stated. It has many, many questions, some are rephrased over and over. That reveals your true feelings and foils trying to skew the test. It is usually timed to give you little opportunity for pondering or going back to change answers. There are many subjective questions with no right or wrong answer such as "Which do you value more, honesty or fairness?"

I found the test to be very accurate, reinforcing what I already knew about myself and giving me insights to myself that literally made me tear up.  I'm an ISTP, by the way. Hugs, Devlyn

Ah... I've had the full Myers-Briggs test. I came out as an INTJ, though that was a long time ago and these things do change (and are now actively changing in me). Personality tests I can definitely agree with - they are subjective. The example from the OP was an objective question.

[Devlyn]

I did, too, I believe it was 554 questions.  I took it in 1986 in the service and have came up ISTP on a condensed version for work since then.

[Danielle Emmalee]

I just took the MMPI....I have no idea how to read my results....

[Devlyn]

The online ones usually interpret it for you, look for a link that says "see my type"

[Danielle Emmalee]

The online ones usually interpret it for you, look for a link that says "see my type"

The MMPI isn't the one that give the 4 letter type, its to do with personality problems....at least as far as I can tell.  The MBTI is the one you are thinking of.

[Devlyn]

D'oh! Never mind, carry on!

[Danielle Emmalee]

D'oh! Never mind, carry on!

As far as the MBTI goes...I don't have a consistent type, depending on how I interpret the questions.

[KabitTarah]

As far as the MBTI goes...I don't have a consistent type, depending on how I interpret the questions.

The better online tests will tell you your breakdown... where you might be closer to the middle or such.

[Danielle Emmalee]

The better online tests will tell you your breakdown... where you might be closer to the middle or such.

I'm inconsistent but never close to the middle.

[MadelineB]

To paint things in a positive light, the therapist may want to make sure all your needs are addressed not just your gender issues. For example the incidence of borderline personality disorder is believed to be several times higher in the transgender population. Many trans people suffer from comorbidities and if those are not addressed it can make transition more difficult or even lead to suicide after transition. Different diagnoses suggest different treatment modalities in addition to whatever is done to alleviate gender dysphoria.

[Bimmer Guy]

To paint things in a positive light, the therapist may want to make sure all your needs are addressed not just your gender issues. For example the incidence of borderline personality disorder is believed to be several times higher in the transgender population. Many trans people suffer from comorbidities and if those are not addressed it can make transition more difficult or even lead to suicide after transition. Different diagnoses suggest different treatment modalities in addition to whatever is done to alleviate gender dysphoria.

Yes, I agree the test could be useful in therapy; my concern was that the OP indicated that the test was for assessment of GID.  One can have both GID and a personality disorder.  Having a personality disorder does not rule out GID, which is what I read the OP as saying her therapist was implying.