Has anyone ever filed for disability for anxiety or depression?

I am wondering if anyone has ever filed for and received disability for anxiety/depression and if you had any results (received or denied)?  I have been thinking of doing this, but have never done something like this before, and would have no idea how to go about trying to file, and what all is involved, etc. Thanks for any feedback or suggestions.

Hi Rianna. I have been on welfare for 12months due to depression.its a simple matter of obtaining a medical certificate from your GP. However i have found that it tends to compound the problem as I have a wife and two children...you get REALLY sick of telling them you cant afford this or that, especially as I spent my entire life savings before lodging for welfare.My advice to you would be to find a new line of work to retain structure and a sense of purpose in your life.Unemployment feeds the 'downward spiral'of depression and tends to make you focus on the negative aspects of your life. x x

Hi Rianna,  It is most difficult to obtain SSI benefits for a mental disorder.  If you are seriously considering this than you need to make sure that your doctors or psychiatrist is first going to state that your disabled.  Cause if they wont there's no reason to file (I have had this happen with some people).  Also, there is a huge back log and it takes well over a year if you even get approved for benefits.  So you have to ensure that you do have fall back funds for this whole time of being off work.  Here is SSDI's list from their website on impairments so you can do some research if you like.

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/AdultListings.htm

The biggest thing about disability is making sure that you have lots of documentation to back everything up.  Good luck....

 

Thanks for the replies. Now, I am feeling very discouraged - 1 year backlog? Does anyone ever get on this then? I wonder why they make it so difficult.

Yeah, some people really do get on disability.  But you have to fight for it.  Usually the norm is filing, being denied twice then you having to hire an attorney to file an appeal.  Then that court date is 6-8 months down the road.

I dont want to discourage you just that a lot of people file and dont know what all is involved with it.  I filed for SS last August when I had to quit work because of major heart problems and being diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy.  With this disease I pass out often due to low blood pressure.  I have also have Multiple Sclerosis since 2001 (continued to work for 5 yrs) and depression / PTSD.  So I was in the hospital 4 different times with all this medical stuff going on and was still denied, twice.  I am now waiting for my appeal court date.  I do want to say though that sometimes you could get lucky and be one of the ones that get approved on the first try.  But this is not the norm at all.  I have had some of my past clients that had to wait and fight up to 2 years for disability benefits.  SO, the biggest thing is think it through very carefully, make sure you have the funds to support yourself while filing and talk to your doctors about it.

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~elisha~ 

Elisha, thanks for your reply and help. I hope your appeal is approved! You deserve it!! I don't know how you are going through this and then managing to come on here and support us all. My hat is off to you and I commend you for being so strong!

Oh thank you Rianna, that is very sweet.  I have a lot of time on my hands now a days so...ya know.  I also have a lot of help from my mom and dad who I couldnt live without.  They have been the greatest.  I hope you come to find what you want to do. 

Hi - thanks for replying. I have my hospital records and all my Doctor records, etc. Thanks again.

PS..AteDogs..what is SSI?

Hi Denton,

Thanks for the info. I am sorry to hear about your husband, that is awful what they told him..about the door greeter part..not only that, but that is hurtful to the occupation of door greeters..takes someone very special and unique to do that. I commend anyone who can be on their feet all day being nice and cheerful to people all day long..lol. I do have all my documentation of hospital stays, Doctors info, etc. Thanks again.

Hi Rianna, I hope everthing comes trough for you with your disability. I filed for disability for depression and anxiety, which I have had half of my life. They denied me two times,they said although i have a long history of this illness they felt as if it wasnt severe enough to qualify. I decided to get a lawyer and try again. I continued to work even though my anxiety was so bad I felt like I could pass out at times. I worked as a cashier with the public so that probably didnt help. Anyway, I had a heart attack and had bypass surgery. I went to court with my lawyer and I finally qualified for disability for my heart, not anxiety. I have been on disability for 4 years now, and Im 47 years old. Im not saying it cant be done or that you will not get it. But it does take a few years usually. Mine took three years to get. Dont give up on it, it can get very frustrating at times,but if you feel you need it then fight for it. I wish you all the best, and dont let my post discourage you from trying. I just wanted to let you know sometimes it can be hard to get, but hang in there and dont give up.I wish you all the best, my prayers will be with you. Take Care!

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Hope3 and atedogs..thanks for much for your replies. I start a new job this Tuesday..and pray and hope that my meds don't poop out on me..and that I can work. Thanks again for all your replies!

Rianna,  Good luck on your new job, my thoughts are with you.  Just keep positive thoughts on your medication keeping up with you, your on Remeron right?  Let us know how you like it...take care

I just had my hearing in daytona beach hotel for depresstion and axt.  First, the hearing officer was so nice, he his human and he must interpet ss rules.  My lawyer met with me early and told me that ss expects me to work even I must take the bus to orlando florida and that just the rule. I also learned that being 41 is very young to them, which also hurt me. 

I have just filed for disability due to depression, Crohn's Disease, anxiety, and paranoid personality disorder. No information about whether or not I'll get the disability, but here's to hope

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I have Crohn's Disease, panic disorder, paranoid personality disorder, and major depression. Fun.

I applied for SSDI for depression/anxiety and was approved and received my first check seven months later. I do believe my age (52), chronic pain condition and long work history were a factor.... but a bigger factor was that I was on Public Assistance for 3 months... and those people will push to get you off welfare and onto SSI or SSDI. I realize that I am one of the lucky ones who was accepted on the first try and in such a relatively short period of time.

I would say just apply and if denied, immediately apply again. Good luck!

I was thinking about the same thing.  I am 41 and was diagnosed with Crohn's when i was 7.  I have had depression ever since but didnt realize it till about 8 years ago.  I have been on a multitude of medications and struggle with both anxiety, depression and crohn's every day... lately it has begun to affect my job and I feel lost.  I dont sleep well at night some times... other times I sleep for almost two days.  Please keep us updated because I dont know where to go or what to do.. I really dont have a motivation to do anything..

Yes..I applied because I was blacking out at work. crying all the time. fearful..panic attacks..I didn't know what was wrong with me. I was approved with just depression and personality disorder. Turns out I have D.I.D.. Now I'm on all sorts of meds, and My pay went way up. Im fully covered medical and RX's too.

Also..I didn't have to wait long. about 3 months total. I recieved short term disabiliity until it came through. aother thing I had excellent documentation, from work, family,doctors,etc. I got it the first time I applied. I did it over the phone. never went through an atty. I just sent in proper documentation. and then I was tested by their doctors. As serious as my condition is now..Im happy I never had to go through a rough time, applying for disability. Only apply if you know you really need it. because if you know you do, so will they. If you doubt it...so will they. Good Luck!

Hi Tina,

I to have been worrying about this.  I have been on unemployment for almost 2 years now.  I am only 27 years old but it is all that i can do to leave my house anymore.  I've been on meds for anxiety since i was 16.  I am terrified to leave my home or family.  I'll drive down the road start having an anxiety attack and can't get turned around and back home fast enough.  I can't even go to dinner with my family because i'm terrified sombody did something to my food they made me.  My wife is going to school to get her RN and i'm scared to death being home by myself with our three kids thinking i might have a heart attack or something and leave my kids here by themselves.  Living with anxiety is unberable.  Before I had issues i can remember my normal life with no worries it is like im looking back at someone elses life cause of how i am now.  What i am wondering on here though is what kind of steps need to be taken in fileing for dissability i need to get this ball rolling ASAP one less thing to worry about.  Thank you in advance.

I would think that the first step is to call social security. You file for social security disability and if you get denied, you apply for supplemental security income, which is disability. It takes a long time, and you can get denied up to three times, just keep appealing it. If you are lucky you wont get denied, just don't give up.

Hugs, Karen

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  Moderator-Depression and fibromyalgia

Now you say to file a claim with social security can that be done on your own or does it go through a phsician. I would like to do everything right the first time. Thank You

And if you can, get a lawyer to help you. It makes a big difference. Most reputable lawyers will not require payment up front, but only after the claimant is approved.

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Serafena
Co-Moderator, Bipolar and Depression Forums
Bipolar II

"Bipolar disorder can be a great teacher. It's a challenge, but it can set you up to be able to do almost anything else in your life." - CARRIE FISHER