How do you prove you can't work?

[Wyska]

I am very confused at this situation...Recently my grandmother has been trying to apply me for disability (I have severe anxiety and can't make appointments, order food, etc over the phone) and the attorney said that I have to go through vocational therapy before I can apply because I've never had a job before. This seems off to me for some reason. I'm already in therapy so why should I have to prove to another therapist/psychiatrist I can't work? How can I prove it? Do I need to have a panic attack or dissociate infront of people?

 

[Rumors]

Probably bc there is medication that can improve those symptoms and if taken correctly and regularly allow people to live a productive life. I have suffered silently with anxiety my whole life to the point where the thought of getting in my car to go to work just made me want to vomit. Being in an elevator was like a coffin, restaurants were awful...nothing was safe. I constantly had stomach ulcers and have been on stomach meds since I was pretty young. I never told anyone and pressed forward until about 4 years ago. I went on depression and anxiety meds and began therapy where I have worked diligently on decreasing those symptoms using skills like mindfulness and learning other coping skills. Living on disability is the final option not the first. If you have never been employed then perhaps there is some question in how that comes down. I would urge you to do the work, take the meds, and be committed to doing whatever it takes to beat anxiety. At times, it is still pretty hard for me but I use my skills that I learned in therapy and it helps. It is a long term commitment though. It was quite a while before I saw the benefits. I thought about quitting several times but remaimed committed because my happiness depended on it.... good luck.

 

[scout86]

I have to go through vocational therapy before I can apply because I've never had a job before.

I think the purpose of that program is probably to help you find ways you CAN work, rather than to prove that you can't. Maybe you can't, but maybe there's help available so you can too. Wouldn't hurt to give it a try.

 

[EveHarrington]

If you've never worked, how do you know you can't work?

 

[Friday]

This seems off to me for some reason. I'm already in therapy so why should I have to prove to another therapist/psychiatrist I can't work?

Vocational Therapy is as different from Psychological Therapy as either are to Physical Therapy or Chemotherapy. Just because "therapy" is in the name doesn't mean it's the same type of thing.

The following link is something of an idealized version of OT... Which does happen, there are some absolutely amazing occupational therapists & clinics. Who really do go through a huge battery of physical/mental/emotional/psych/preference tests with each of their clients to find work that you could love doing, be good at, & be paid well for... As well as finding the job, or securing the education (both finding & funding) necessary to work in that field. Many others, however, are as personalized & ideal as a day at the DMV. Vocational Therapy - Medical Disability Guidelines

 

[Wyska]

If you've never worked, how do you know you can't work?

Because I couldn't do school.

 

[joeylittle]

I couldn't do school.

School and work really are two different things.

Essentially: if you don't try to work, and then have it fail, there is no way of proving that you can't work. And there's a chance you may find that you can work. That is (as others have said) the point of vocational therapy.

Why not give it a try?

 

[Wyska]

School and work really are two different things.

Essentially: if you don't try to work, and then h...

The impression I got from it was that they put you in a typical working environment and then watched to see what you'd do essentially. I suppose having a job that wasn't overwhelming like school was wouldn't be too bad. I did more research and didn't realize this was a regular thing with them and I guess it makes sense.

 

[joeylittle]

If they are a good program, they will help you with ways to navigate some of the challenges you will face in the work environment. And, if they are a bad program, it'll be less support. But, either way, you will certainly learn what the next steps for you might be (full disability, partial disability, or who knows?) - and you can then see where you go from there.

 

[anonymous]

The law is actually very simple. A doctor MD or a PHD in psychology (i dont know if its only psychology) has to write on you application for disability that you are disabled 60% from working because of your condition. If you never worked I don't know how that effects it. Then you submit the application and by law they have to give it to you. They will deny you, they always do. Then you hire a lawyer who gets paid only if you are approved. The lawyer sends them a letter and then they put you on it.

 

[DharmaGirl]

Hmm, not that simple, anonymous. There are people who wait years and never get on it.

 

[EveHarrington]

School and work are INFINITELY different.

Not being able to do school doesn't mean you can't work.

Tons of people flip out of school but excel in the work world.

This is why they don't accept not being able to go to school as proof that you can't work.