Are You On Disability For Ptsd?

[Deleted member 1860]

***more than slightly irritated***

I HATE how people view disability as "giving up"... Uhm, maybe for some, but not for me.

Maybe my county is out of the norm, but one on disability can go to college for FREE. Yes, free. If the course has a fee or books, you've gotta pay for that, but tuition is zero.

I look at it this way... Disability has given me the ability to focus on ME and MY healing. If I was working I wouldn't have the time to work on me. I'd be preoccupied with making money and everything else would take a backseat.

One of my friends said I was LUCKY to be able to focus solely on my healing. I could tell he was a bit envious when he told me this as he has PTSD too, and struggles with working.

Giving up?... HELLS no! Yes, I'm glad I don't have the added stress of working. My healing is faster as a result. I think I'm fortunate, but hey, if your ego gets in the way and you want to take a harder route, then by all means knock yourself out. I don't think it matters HOW we get there, as long as we get there in the end.

And as for applying for disability, it all boils down to documentation. I had nearly 20 years of psych records which were peppered with psych hospitalizations since I was a teenager. I was approved within 4 months on my first try. There is also the rumor that location matters as living in some areas makes the approval process easier, but idk about that.

So yes, I am receiving disability benefits (SSDI, Medicare, medicaid, and food stamps...well, the last one isn't disability per se, but my SSDI is so low that I qualify for this benefit), but it is a TEMPORARY situation. I can't work right now, but know I will be able to in the future.

 

[windwoman]

I am currently waiting to go before the hearing judge. I haven't worked in 2 years and don't see working being an option for me anytime soon. I have other chronic illnesses besides the PTSD. I am fortunate that my sons are able to support me until I receive my disability.

I have an attorney, I could never have muddled through this on my own. Much of the time I feel like the entire process is just one more trauma. In the end it will be worth it.

I refuse to be defined by my illnesses! I may have to walk with a cane, and only be able to do house work for about an hour a day (not all once, however). Some days I hurt so badly I can barely get out of bed. But that is NOT who I am.

I am an artist and when my body allows I create. When I can't hold a paintbrush or a pen I study the subjects that always interested me but I never had time to explore.

 

[Bill Dickerson]

***more than slightly irritated***

I HATE how people view disability as "giving up"... Uhm, maybe for some, but not for me.

Maybe my county is out of the norm, but one on disability can go to college for FREE. Yes, free. If the course has a fee or books, you've gotta pay for that, but tuition is zero.

I look at it this way... Disability has given me the ability to focus on ME and MY healing. If I was working I wouldn't have the time to work on me. I'd be preoccupied with making money and everything else would take a backseat.

One of my friends said I was LUCKY to be able to focus solely on my healing. I could tell he was a bit envious when he told me this as he has PTSD too, and struggles with working.

Giving up?... HELLS no! Yes, I'm glad I don't have the added stress of working. My healing is faster as a result. I think I'm fortunate, but hey, if your ego gets in the way and you want to take a harder route, then by all means knock yourself out. I don't think it matters HOW we get there, as long as we get there in the end.

And as for applying for disability, it all boils down to documentation. I had nearly 20 years of psych records which were peppered with psych hospitalizations since I was a teenager. I was approved within 4 months on my first try. There is also the rumor that location matters as living in some areas makes the approval process easier, but idk about that.

So yes, I am receiving disability benefits (SSDI, Medicare, medicaid, and food stamps...well, the last one isn't disability per se, but my SSDI is so low that I qualify for this benefit), but it is a TEMPORARY situation. I can't work right now, but know I will be able to in the future.

I like your pluck. How did you swing the free college? I've tried to find a program but all I can find is the ticket to work and it's an all or nothing program. I can't take a few classes at my own pace.

 

[soulofLC]

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.)

Hi Paul, don't know if you have resolved this yet, but my psychotherapist wrote my letter for disability for PTSD. It worked. She is a trauma specialist, and also does EMDR.

There is this idea that it has to be Psych, but not true, at least for me.

 

[wcdean]

I am able to work but find myself easily distracted and actually become bored with work very easily. Recently came off of short term disability because my former employer was not sensitive to my condition; now I have a new role at a new company and have just kept my condition to myself.

 

[soulofLC]

Hope it going OK for you. I have to go to work at some point, as I only have SSI, disability. Different that SSDI. Missing precious few (and I mean few) quarters to qualify for SSDI. Don't know how I will make it on such a pittance ($690; just went up!). This is my second month. Made it through first by taking things back for refunds.

I am not stable enough to go to work; this I know. Just starting therapy. Need to get extra support from social services. Not easy, not fun. Kudos to you for making work work.

 

[wcdean]

Was in the same boat through August/Sept. Just kind of broke down. I never sought treatment after my trauma and 14 years later it kind of came back to bite me in the arse. Course when I told my last employer that I was having a hard time they politely asked if I intended to bring a gun to work because that's what crazy people do (paraphrasing a bit; it really wasn't all that polite).

 

[soulofLC]

Wow, those people with guns sure give us a bad name. Here in Texas, everyone has a gun. Perhaps a slight exaggeration, but Texans do like their guns. I am scared of guns. What the hell would I want one for?

Oh, I just looked at your profile and saw you were in Houston too! I don't shoot the bird on the freeway anymore when they cut me off (and you know what I'm talkin bout) because I'm scared some nut might have a gun in his car. The bird is the only thing I shoot at people!

Gesse, your employer was more than rude. Blatant discrimination against someone with a disibility. Sorry that happened to you, wc.

 

[Bill Dickerson]

I think I would find me a good lawyer for the SOB of an employer.

Guns don't hurt people. I've never seen one that has jumped off the bed and shot somebody.

I've carried since 1995 but that started with the job. I still have a carry permit and I never leave the house without my club.

I've been threatened with knives and almost had a SKS pointed at me. He thought better of it and sat it back down. Lots of no knock entries and I seemed to be a crap magnet.

I was lucky I never had to pull the trigger on anybody but the close ones haunt me some.

Hopefully I will never need my club but I do worry since sometimes I fall back into the job and still run toward trouble. Training dies hard once on the job always on the job.

What the hell would you want one for? There is a segment of society of which you may one day be the victim. So far it seems you have luckily been immune from that diseased segment.

A person must decide for themselves if they wish to be a victim or survivor.

 

[soulofLC]

Yes, you are right. I have been fortunate. I avoid danger as much as I can, but I live in a violent city. I know where to go and where not to go, but violence is everywhere.

I know of store attendents who've been shot in my neighborhood. I walked in on an armed robbery once. That scared the crap out of me. But I never thought of getting a gun afterward. His gun was already pointed at me as he left the store. If I had reflexively drawn a gun on him, I would be dead today. I could not have won that battle.

As a child, I cried when my brother's shot sparrows, or when I saw the fish on the hook.

I don't have a killer bone in my body. I would love to know martial arts, however. That I could handle.

 

[Bill Dickerson]

Try Krav Maga.

It's more instinctive and less complicate but very effective.

 

[soulofLC]

I had not heard of that. I looked it up; interesting. Perhaps I will give it a go. Thanks Bill.