Are You On Disability For Ptsd?

[shadowchaser]

If you do try to apply I would really like to hear about the process.

Get a lawyer. I tried to represent myself the first time. I was an emotional wreck. Now I'm working with a lawyer. He does everything for me.

 

[Reclusive]

Lawyer is definitely the way to go. I had to appeal twice. The first time the rejection reason was that I could still work a job that didn't require use of phones, lifting things, typing, had to be isolated and unsupervised. And like you I thought - and where is this imaginary job? And how many openings are there?

My fiance got his second rejection tonight, so we'll be filing a second appeal. He's using the same lawyer I am, so I have a lot of faith he'll get it. It seems like anymore they just reject you until a judge has to get involved. I'm surprised that you got that far.

 

[Linda Lee Bogard - King]

GET A LAWYER! It is the only way to go. I have been through the process. They (SSA) make determinations before getting all of the evidence. And, an attorney would disagree that PTSD is not 'legitimate' disability.

 

[scott_1971_h]

How many of us PTSD sufferers are able to hold jobs while dealing with the symptoms?

I have been able to hold jobs, intermittently and always briefly. Longest was 12 months.

 

[The Albatross]

Though woefully "under employed" I have been able to work... but I haven't done full time in over 3 years and the longest I have ever held a job is 7 years. I have problems with longivity.

 

[11Degrees]

How many of us PTSD sufferers are able to hold jobs while dealing with the symptoms?

I have to work. Don't know how I manage, as it is doing so much damage to me.

 

[shadowchaser]

I wish I could hold a job longer then a month or two. I would rather be working than fighting for disability. Most of the jobs I get end in a month or two.

 

[Reclusive]

If I get to a really good place and no one expects me to do things like... leave the house or talk to other people, I can work for a week here and there and that's about it. My kitty's just been diagnosed diabetic, though, and I'm gonna have to work my booty off for the next 12 days to earn enough to cover his vet bills. I'm just gonna let myself crash and burn on this one. Wonder what my T will think of that tomorrow?

 

[Dee Morris]

It's interesting hearing how difficult the process has been for y'all.

I worked at my last job for 9 yrs. I had to leave my job after I had a breakdown several years ago. I worked retail management at a large discount chain. The panic attacks at work got so bad that I couldn't take it anymore. I tried to work a couple of different jobs but most days I couldn't manage basic chores & hygiene much less a job.

I applied for disability & was approved the first time for PTSD. The actual process for me was not difficult at all. The hardest part was filling out all the medical info. Dates, names etc of therapists & psychiatrists. I had one medical physical & a psychological evaluation.

I'm a little worried about trying to go back to work again. Disability doesn't really pay enough to support my daughter on my own so I'm going to have to work. Hopefully, by the time that will be necessary I won't be as much of an emotional mess all the time.

 

[Reclusive]

I think part of my problem was that I applied too early - in that I hadn't really accepted how bad I was and I think I hid a lot of things from my interviewer. Not intentionally, but because I'm used to answering questions in a very specific way. I dunno, it's weird. I'm pretty sure there was self-sabotage, though.

My fiance just got his appeal rejected, so he's going to appeal again. Hopefully that will get us through, my disability doesn't quite cover everything and I think the stress of it is holding me back some.

 

[Paul Hartnett]

I am rather frightened after reading the preceding posts: I am contemplating putting in for disability after working for the State of Texas for about four years. I am only recently diagnosed. I've already been diagnosed with GAD and had a brief stay in a psych ward (self-admitted and arranged by my MD) for suicidal tendencies. I am frightened because I really cannot bear to continue at my current job, and do not know how most effectively to proceed. Do I rely on my personal MD who has all the history (he is not a Psych). Or do I allow my brand-new psychotherapist (specializing in PTSD and uses EMDR). I am afraid I will not survive this process. (I have been paying disability premiums on my own for the last three years.)

 

[Lionheart]

I worked for years at the same job until I literally could not stand on my own two feet anymore. I have been disabled with PTSD for 11 years and do not foresee being able to go back to work in my immediate future.