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....

 


~elisha~ 
 
ways to help support healing well:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=19&m=437927
 
 

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.


~elisha~ 
 
ways to help support healing well:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=19&m=437927
 
 

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. 


~elisha~ 
 
ways to help support healing well:
 
 

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!


 

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


~elisha~ 
 
ways to help support healing well:
 
 

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. 
 
 The hearing officer had a shrink their that gave his thoughts and a voc expert who gave his two cents.  The two experts speak without the claimet in the room, so that they can speak openly and then the lawyer told me what they said.
The outcome is that, the officer, gave me one year of back pay and I must sign up for voc services, and then if i can't find work then I must reapply.  It sound strange to me, that I get one years back pay and no future benefits in exchange for a job search. 
 
However, when I reapply, it will be on record that I did what the hearing officer requested and in fact I am disabilted.   Good luck to all and don't give up.. Promise  yourself to keep going because they will say yes one day..
 
 
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 tongue


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

I am on SSD Social Security Disability.  It was not hard for me to get on disability initially.  I was at a job for over 15 years and had undergone ECT that drastically changed my personality which caused me to apparently have made statements that the facility considered "threats".  To this day, I dont agree but with having a diagnosis of recurrent clinical depression for 15 years and now a person that could not return to her work because of "personality disorders" I was OK'd SSD within 3 months.  There is usually NO waiting period if you go directly to your nearest Social Security office and apply in person.
 
I went to college and obtain my Associates Degree and then went back to work.  After a couple of years, here I am again being told that my "depression" is causing my inability to work. (In my opinion it is that my bosses didnt agree with my straight forward-most of the time going above and beyond what i should do and being a threat because of my knowledge or outspokeness) I loved working and loved my profession but when the big guys dont like you because you are more than they wanted to be in charge of.....well.....
 
I actually fell under a rule that SSD has in place that if you regain work experience and become disabled within 12 months your disability will start without all the paperwork.  Just verifying information.  My disability does not pay what a paycheck does so I constantly look for work.  It is funny though because you are honest about the "disability" question on the job interview, you are never called back.
 
Also, if you have children living in your home under the age of 18, you also collect a check for them as well.   The most important thing you can do is do person to person at an office.  KNOW THIS..........when you go to the SS office, dont take your children and take something to do because you will be there many, many hours!  Before you go make sure you take what is needed to apply at the office, it varies state to state.  CALL FIRST!!!, then you will get your case through much easier.
 
Good luck to you, hope this helped!


Teresa
 
 The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.

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! yeah

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..
 
John
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!