Mental illness and A Social security Disability?

Question

To make a long story short, I've suffered from depression and mental illness problems since i was about 14. IT affects every aspect of my life, including, work, frineds, personal relationships. I Finally went for help a year ago because i could no longer handle the situation on my own and was feeling, once again, that i wanted to die.
I have attempted suicide two times in my life, both times i was saved by my fiance, he found me unconscious and took me to the hospital.
I have been diagnosed with:
severe depression,
panic disorder,
GAD,
Agoraphobia,
and
Bi-polar.
( i dont know how all this is wrong with me, but thats what the psychiatrist says).

My family history is that on my fathers side there is a strong presense of mental illnesss, more specifically bi-polar. MY grandfather, father, and old brother were all diagnosed with being bi-polar, and my father and grandfather both committ suicide due to not getting help. My older brother is currently on Lithium.

but my brother wants to try the medication they put me on, trileptal, because he says that lithium messes with his head.

My father committ suicide in december of 2005, and he was attempting to get help, but was not successful. I'm am deathly afraid of getting to that point if I am not helped, and currently i feel like i'm not getting the best help i could be from my cousnler (something i am working on) she said that She can't really help me until i'm on medication. I think that is bull, but, I've given in and am trying it her way.

I've applied for SSdisability two months ago and today i got a letter asking me to have one of their doctors examine me, I dont want to go b/c i dont want to share everything all over again with som eone knew face to face. I hate looking at people and telling them about my life and the **** i've gone through.
Does anyone know why they can't take your own doctors information, and i've read that you usually get deneid the first time anyways? this true?

Answer 1

You will need to go to their Doctor for their exam and the SSA will take the information from your doctor(s) in consideration ,as for being turned down the first time,I was turned down 4 times but then got an attorney and was told we had to go to a an Administrative Law Judge at the SSA,I then got some paperwork sometime later asking questions about my daily routine and medication,I filled it out and it also told me that my appointment with the ALJ would be in 20 days,well in 14 days the Judge made a Fully favorable decision in my favor,I won,the Judge clearly stated that although he weighed the opinion on the states doctors,it was clear they were wrong and that I am disabled and got my disability,Do not give up and there has been a lot of fraud in getting disability so it it is a lot harder,so you might consider getting a lawyer that does Social Security...Good Luck

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

The link below has some info on bipolar people getting disability that may help you.

Basically most people get denied initially, but approved if they persevere, even if they need to appeal. The Social Security people may take your family history but mainly they will be interested in you. I am not sure why they want you to se another doc - have you given them complete medical records from your own psychiatrist? They will want records from a shrink rather than a family doctor. I know seeing a stranger is difficult but it will be worth it to get this resolved.

Check out the info below - I wish you the best. I am a bipolar person but still able to work, although I have had to work hard at avoiding any workplace stress. People who don't have these conditions do not understand how hard things are for us at work so you may have to battle through. But like I said - eventually you will prevail and it will be worth it. :)

Answer 4

Hi hon.. you need to be under a doctor's care in order to apply for social security... and sometimes you need to contact an attorney for help (they know their way around social security cases, and most of them take a portion of your lump sum payment as their fee, which is always worth it).

Once you apply for SSDI, you will have to wait until your case goes through the process -- Social Security has a team of medical professionals who study individual cases and make a decision as to whether a person meets the qualifications for need. If it takes a year, and if you are granted the benefit, you will receive a lump sum payment for each month since you applied -- so 12 months multiplied by the $ amount per month. A portion of this would go to the attorney, if you have one.

I feel that a person needs to focus on their SYMPTOMS and treat those -- even if you are diagnosed with several different mental illness issues, your symptoms need to be your focus.

Depression goes right along with Bipolar disorder, and in fact, it's my major symptom. Anxiety goes hand-in-hand with depression, so no wonder you're anxious.

I hope you continue your medical treatment, seek therapy and follow your doc's plan. If you have issues with any medications, or do not feel they are working, please let your doctor know. Remember it's your body, and sometimes we have to adjust or change meds to find what is right for us.

I wish you all the best. take care.

Answer 5

I was in the same boat with Social Security. I had their Dr appt. two weeks ago. They did say I had my problems as well. They simply told S.S. that I was still able to work (not disabled enough). I was turned down after S.S. got the Dr.'s report. My disability is Multiple Sclerosis. Best of wishes. I would sugest you get an advocate or attorney to help you navigate the system.

Answer 6

If you want to get help and are afraid of ending up like your father, then you need to go to the doctor and get help. If you don't, you have no one to blame but yourself.

Answer 7

I'm sorry, what's your question?