Are You On Disability For Ptsd?

[Loloma]

(((soulofLC))) I sympathise with you and others that live in the states. It is sad that for a country so big, health care wasn't taken care of many years ago. People are what make up a country and that has been forgotten somewhere along the way.

There are so many people living on minimum wage and in poverty, that just can't afford medical insurance. It is a pity that it is not recognised that untreated illnesses both physical and mental, will only get worse without treatment. Early intervention is the key.

I wish you all the best.

 

[cjf2010]

I agree that the United States does not have the health care that they need for people to stay healthy and some times it is just as frustrating and stressful trying to take care of yourself then it is just to deal with the PTSD. It is very confusing why such a "great nation" has such a hard time taking care of their own!!!:confused:

 

[Philippa]

cjf2010, I was speaking about this the other day with my housemate, who tends to close himself off from his emotions and thinks in terms of economics. I know that money is important...but so is being human, and it seems that the people who run America think it is more important to pour funds into the war machine, weapons and armory, then it is to care for their own people?

He said that the american government simply didn't have the funds to help vietnam vets when they returned from war then, and maybe it was just easier for them to all pretend those people no longer existed rather than have to face the cold hard realities that they were forced to live with? Those people were just pawns, and "expendable". They were used and discarded when it was all over. Disgusting.

To make these decisions the people in charge need to close off from being human. It's not an enviable position by any stretch. I would not want to be the president or any of the people who make the decisions in a country, because it means becoming less human to do so.

It's a very cold hard reality for people with PTSD in the states. I feel for you all and I hope it gets better, but I am not sure it's going to anytime soon...

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[cjf2010]

Probably not, but I refuse to give in to the powers that be. I will get up and fight to get better, if they don't want to help me I will do it on my own. I'll read every book I can find. Use every resource(such as this forum), to get a clearer understanding of what is going on with me. If the government can not do what it needs to do, I'm sure the people here have a greater understanding of what does need to be done. We are all on here trying to help one another and it is probably a much better means for some of us than going to therapy sessions that do absolutely nothing for you.

 

[Philippa]

Sending you all soothing energy tonight, wherever you are...

 

[scattered]

I am retired/disabled US military. My retirement/disablity payment leaves me below poverty level.

I hope you find legal aid to keep afloat I have and it is past pride to just survive and make it through one day one month one year it all rolls into one big long day here...I struggle with where God is in all this mess but somehow I know the sanity I have comes from Him...I am thankful for the support I do have and for the disability funds small as they are keep me alive.

I have so much thankfulness in my heart to you as a soldier you have given so much and what ever help is available is certainly something you not only need but you deserve.

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[scattered]

I know all about the not being able to retain information. . . .
I have the state insurance since I receive SSI benefits, so I really don't have to pay for my insurance except for the co-pays which are very reasonable.

I've been under diagnosis PTSD and related depression since 2010 have seen four different therapists due to my insurance being cancelled and reinstated several times as well as issues and changes to disability and insurance -- all very stressful. My physical environment has been very important to me. To have to start from scratch over and over has been confusing really confusing like ground hogs day. With attorney found a more stable therapy environment however being put in a group primarily with no other PTSD people was weird like is it really so rare or does it progress into another diagnosis? I am glad you are doing better and moving forward that gives me some hope too.

I have not applied for SSI at this point. I keep thinking all this will go away and I am kinda stuck in this place not knowing what will happen hoping I will wake up and be able to do what I used to do ...finding I can't and not knowing where to go from here. I have had some problems with asthma and a stomach thing was able to obtain msi insurance for .... may all be related but not sure so I just take things one day at a time and try to meet the challenges I don't know a lot about the system.

<Edited - Merged 2 consecutive posts, which used the same quote. Also, quote edited - there is no need to quote full posts.>

 

[cjf2010]

Once on SSI, they will give you the insurance I'm on. I don't want to be on disability anymore either, so what I have been doing is working with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to get training and work on my disability. That way maybe in a few years I will become a productive part of society again, at least that's my goal as long as I can manage my stress and my panic attacks.

 

[Philippa]

You can do it! Intention is all...and the power of your own mind and will together, can achieve anything.

Have you learnt to breathe from your abdomen? It's a yogic technique which can really really help with anxiety and stress. Learning to breath right can make all the difference.

 

[Panama Pete]

I retired from the Army 2 years ago, but not for medical reasons. I was diagnosed with PTSD as part of my VA screening for service connected disabilities. Turns out I just about maxed out the checklist. I moved to Panama after I retired and live off my Army retirement and VA disability (100% rating). As I look back at the last 20+ years (since Desert Shield / Desert Storm), I now realize that I have had this for a long time and I am beginning to understand just how much it has impacted my work and family life. I am now seeing a psychiatrist once a month (thankfully the VA foots the bill) and am attempting to get a grip on this. Luckily I have a wonderful wife who has put up with a ton of crap from me thanks to this, and I am also happy to say that my daughters still love me and will speak to me. Having this on top of all my physical ailments from more than 27 years in the Army (11+ being really stupid since I was jumping out of perfectly good airplanes) has made it tougher, but we will get thru this. Still, at least I get to spend a lot more time with my family and that really helps.

 

[cjf2010]

Have you learnt to breathe from your abdomen? It's a yogic technique which can really really help with anxiety and stress. Learning to breath right can make all the difference.

I have tried Yoga and the breathing exercises and they do really help a lot. I'm never going to give up not having the symptoms and problems from having PTSD. I hate the fact that someone else's behavior has had such a negative impact on every aspect of my life. Yoga does relax me and make me feel a lot better in every area.

 

[scattered]

I learned a shorter version of breathing exercises that I use a lot-- simply put --inhale four counts hold four counts exhale four counts. I like this because I don't need a watch and I don't need to think and I can do it while I say one simple word in my mind ...A Therapist who worked with military offered this to me for panic attacks and it's been probably the best tool I have gotten a hold of.