Are You On Disability For Ptsd?

[Bill Dickerson]

I am lucky my Mom let me move in when I divorced about 17 years ago. I stayed so my kids would have a place to visit with a yard. Now my Mom is getting old enough that she needs my help so I have been lucky with having family on which I could rely.

Like you I ran through all of my savings. You might consider asking your employer if they reduce your hours maybe hat would help. Although if your Therapist suggested disability it would probably help your anxiety level. I'm sure you can obtain Medicare if you go the disability route. Eventually being able to not worry about income was a big stress reducer. I do struggle with losing that part of my identity.

There are a few jobs you can do from home. I run a freecycle site (unpaid).

I do worry about the statement where you say you medicate to function. Meds can be a great help but be aware of that issue. One of the worries many who have PTSD is falling into the self medicating spiral. It can be self destructive.

 

[soulofLC]

I am surviving on SSI/disability, which is much less than SSDI. I don't qualify for SSDI because I was an educator, and we pay into teacher's retirement instead of social security (which I already have taken out to live on).

I will qualify for SS when I retire, but not full disability now. SSI is only $698.00 a month, but it does come with Medicaid. SSDI does not come with Medicare until you are on disability for 2 years. (who passed that stupid law?)

I do have friends on SSDI that survive and have their own apts. and medical treatment. You can get medical care and help through United Way agencies and/or your county medical health facilities. Here, it is free. You get a "Gold Card" and get free P doc and free meds plus medical treatment.

Other friend gets doctors that take patients on a sliding scale.

I have my own apartment and live on the SSI without outside assistance. That being said, there are agencies to help the low income...utilities, food banks, church ministries, etc. It is not what I would choose given a choice, but it can be done. It takes some work to find help. But help is out there.

It does take time to get the SSI or SSDI started, so apply ASAP if you are serious. (SSI shorter wait sometimes. Just keep after them and speak their language....as in be calm and have a script! A disability counselor taught me that and it really works!)

FYI The Center for Independent Living is an under used resource. They advocate for people with disabilities. I have found them to be very, very helpful. They are the original agency created during the "disability rights" movement.

There is also Public Housing for the low income, which in some places is quite nice depending on where you live and what is available. Some cites also have Section 8 housing, where the government pays a portion of your rent to the landlord.

So many options!

 

[4L150N]

I am on disability, but I have been able to hold random part time jobs for up to a year at a time before crashing. I finally found a job I LOVE, and unfortunately I've been off work for the last 3 months. I'm finding it so incredibly difficult because I don't want to disappoint the people I work for/with, but I'm not sure if I can go back. The last few months have been brutal, I'm getting worse instead of better and the stress of going back in there after my doctor's appointment today to tell them I'm still not able to come back is making me want to throw up. On the other hand, if I'm cleared to go back, I'm even more scared. I freaking HATE this.

 

[soulofLC]

I hear you 4L150N. You are brave to attempt to work. I am scared to try!

If the people you work with are worth your respect, they will understand (if you wish to divulge) why you can't be there with them. Your health and well being is the most important thing. Sometimes we have to be selfish to take care of ourselves. (That also applies to people that are "normal.")

(((((HUGS)))))

PS I wuve your dog!

 

[4L150N]

Thank you. My boss does know all about my condition. She actually hired me even though I told her more than I should have (she stopped me twice to tell me "probably don't want to say that in an interview"). I think that actually makes it harder though because I've finally found a place that I am accepted and understood, and it doesn't seem to matter because I'm still not able to work. At least at past jobs I was discriminated against and felt justified in quitting, but this time it's just killing me. I talked to her about how I have never been able to hold a job for more than a year before quitting and she said "well I'm not going to let that happen". I just wish she could wave a magic wand then, because I'm not sure I have a choice at this point.

ps. Yes, my dog is awesome :cP

 

[soulofLC]

Your boss sounds awesome. But she sounds like she will understand. It is not her fault or your fault. It is just this thing we have.

I do see why it is hard for you to accept not going back. How nice to have people who support and care. That is a great take-away. Maybe later, when you are better if that applies.

A magic wand would be nice, eh?

 

[scattered]

My PTSD is work related and definitely disabling, considering I can't have people over, can't talk on the phone, and can only go three places in town and authority figures of any kind terrify me. PTSD with psychosis, Chronic Depression, and agoraphobia.

This is a general description of my life not exact but close... Thank you for putting this post up.

 

[Philippa]

I didn't work for the first 5 or so years after being diagnosed with ptsd.

I decided to spend some time really taking care of myself and realistically, I simply couldn't out on a smile or function in a way that was required of me in a workplace environment. I was angry, aggravated, irritable, moody and just not fit to work...at that stage.

I was having trouble not throwing myself against walls and hitting my head deliberately. I had to just sit there and wait for the impulse to pass when it came upon me...there was no way I could concentrate enough to work when that happened, so I took a course in disability support instead, thinking it might help me to put the focus on people living with disabilities and off my own disability.

I went on what is called "newstart allowance" in Australia...but I did not go on disability pension. It was mainly a pride thing, and if I went on that, I may never get off it...that was my fear anyway, of seeing myself as "disabled". It's a personal pride thing...which may have been my downfall? Newstart was sufficient, although I had to apply for jobs (or pretend I had).

I didn't like being dishonest at times, but I simply didn't have the energy to physically look for work, knowing that I would not be able to sustain it with my condition...but centrelink doesn't take those things as excuses, and I would have been put through a rigorous psychological questioning, which I just didn't need. Some people are ok with it and go on disability even if they aren't suffering from anything...which I think is morally wrong...I couldn't do it even though I DID have a condition like ptsd.

I eventually did find some casual work in catering after about 5 years, and then managed to meet a woman who was leaving her old job as she got chosen for another one, so she trained me up and I had been there ever since, until last december when they dissolved my position.

PTSD affected my ability to really do the job properly there, and it was a job that required accuracy and responsability...but it messed with my head too much and seriously threatened my mental health, so I'm glad I left...although I'm not sure my current work was much healthier for me...but it's definitely been interesting!

I've re-applied for newstart now and hopefully (fingers crossed) monday will be the last of the running around and they can finally give me back pay that I am entitled to as an Australian citizen...

 

[blynn895]

OMG Magdalen, you just described my work problems to a T! Nice to know that I am not the only one! I think authority figures=power=abuse to me, stemming from my abusive father, control freakish mother too. I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop at home, and thats what always happens to me at work too.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[cjf2010]

I've been on SSI since 1999 for PTSD, severe panic attacks, and agorophobia. I'm in remission for the agorophobia and the panic attacks have been manageable. I started my first semester back at a local university and so far I'm doing well, only one panic attack so far(and not to bad of one at that :D). I'm hoping that I can finally learn to manage my symptoms and return to work when finishing my degree. I decided to go for speech pathology for a major and deaf studies as a minor. One semester at a time I guess!!! :geek:

 

[blynn895]

Just wondering if anyone here is from Canada, on or applying for Canada Disability Pension, and/or Long Term Disability from employer?

 

[scattered]

...I am currently on disability due to a work incident ...I have been put through so much testing by the corporation, I really can't take it any more.

Before this I was actually a company girl doing a community service grant project on my own time for the company...

It has been a sad commentary on corporate policy and procedure to be sure.

At this point talking about the incident makes me sick for days...can't get out of bed.


I am trying to research things for myself on how to cope and manage the symptoms..trying to Make Myself Do something..anything..my house looks like a train wreck...the things like laundry and the financial repercussions as well as the social...my life is in ruins. ... actually it is a brutal system with everyone tearing you down as if you are to blame ..... really sad. I wish that we had something like new start here...all of the negative things you mentioned apply to me and I am stigmatized.

I am new at posting just learning how to use this site and post properly so bear with me. I want to Thank you for what you shared- it was helpful for me to get me to think that there could be some kind of training that exists- maybe something on line since I don't do well in social settings. Thanks.