i have agoraphobia...?

Question

i have already lost one job and i am on the brink of losing another my question is, is there any kind of benefit i can claim as i am hardly able to make ends meet which is adding to the pressure.i no there is benefits for physically disabled but what about people like me?>

Answer 1

I have housebound agoraphobia , and i am on the disability pension at the moment because of it. I have no physical disabilities at all.


You need a doctor's report , and you need to see a psychiatrist so they can assess you to see if its bad enough , that its stopping you from working .

My agoraphobia is at the point where i can't leave my house , if i want something ( food shopping or pay bills ) i give my debit card to a family member and they do it for me . I leave the house about once a month ( with a family member ) I cannot be alone, when I'm outside of my house . i leave all the curtains shut, i don't go out the front or out in the backyard , its hard for me to even go to the letter box . i don't answer the door , or answer the phone .

I've been receiving this benefit for almost a year and a half, and they only recently said that i should be seeing a psychiatrist , so i have home visits ( they come to me ) . After a few visits they said i have Body Dysphormic Disorder, which is why I'm agoraphobic .


Basically , if you can't work / go out / go anywhere alone / do everyday things then you will most likely be eligible for the disability pension ( I'm in Australia though ) it might be different where your from .

hope this helped :)

Answer 2

Actually you can become disabled by a mental illness the same as a physical illness. My father was on disability for a while when he was diagnosed bipolar. After his disability ran out he applied for social security. It has been years and he is now working and in recovery with no major problems.

Are you in treatment for your phobia, if not you need to seek treatment immediatly. Only a doctor will be able to diagnos you and reccomend disability.

Also you may want to consider either a new career or a job working from home. My father had to change careers completly due to the stress and now he is much happier doing something he loves!

Answer 3

Disability through the Social Security Administration is available for people with both physical and mental health problems. You will have to have been seen by a psychiatrist, and they will have support that you have a condition that prevents you from keeping a job.

Best of luck!

I have to add: contrary to what mind gypsie believes, Agoraphobia is not just shyness and it's not "all in your head". It's recognized within the psychiatric community as an real illness (specifically, an anxiety disorder), and it can be extremely debilitating, especially if is not treated.

It is also listed as a disability by the SSA, and if you are unable to overcome it through psychiatric treatment, you should be eligible for benefits.

Answer 4

i don't think you can claim a phobia as away to collect disability. i know its hard being shy, but its all in your head man! check out some of the books by Napoleon hill and the DVD The Secret. They'll give you a good look on how you can change your thought patterns for a positive outcome. Your thoughts attract everything you want in life, as soon as you take control of your own mind (thoughts) you can face anything that is put in front of you. look that fear straight in the eye and tackle it head on, its only a invisible boundary your mind has put in front of you. good luck!