Appealing SSDI

Well, I got a letter today saying they received my appeal. It said weird things like if anything is untrue in your appeal it's perjury and you could be fined or imprisoned.

Nice, guys. Threaten the disabled who are already suffering mentally and emotionally. Make them paranoid that everything they said was true, but each day is different than the last, so it might not be right on Tuesday but it is Wednesday through Monday.

Am I being paranoid? Do you think they have spies that follow you around? All I do is go to work one day a week anyway. I hate to leave my apt. I even exercise indoors, which is just walking for 15 mins. When I have to go somewhere else, I take my partner with me. I feel so insecure in public, especially shopping with throngs of people. Yet, when I'm manic I love to be out. That's why I hate those forms they make you fill out. I need two answers for everything because it depends what episode I'm in.

Anyone else feel terrible about the things SS puts you through because you really need help? It feels like it's a crime to need help.

I guess they have to make that statement. Think about the sometimes questionable slip-and-fall back complaints (and other things) and requests for SSD. Hopefully, you put down all your symptoms, from mania to depression. I also feel uncomfortable about being on disability when I am doing well. Right now I sometimes feel I should be looking for a job I could do with low stress but it is not realistic as I am having enough problems with depression that I have ECT every three weeks. Even something little at the place I volunteer can cause me to spin off into oblivion.

Know that you put down everything you could... the truth as you know it. Don't worry about the statement.

Remember that the main reason that they deny so many people the first and even the second time is because they are trying to save money, so they would not spend money on spies to follow people around. I am pretty sure they have to put those things on there for legal reasons.

I do hate the hoops that people have to jump through in order to get the help they need. I hate it when they review my case every 3 years. I'm always nervous that if I've been doing better they will say "ok, you're cured now, go to work". Even though my logical side says that is highly unlikely, I still have those fears when I'm filling out the paperwork for the review. I always have my docs/therapists/social workers write out a letter confirming that I am still unable to work to attach to my review so it is not just me saying that I can't work.

Do whatever you can to try and take your focus off of it; I know that it's really hard, but give it your best. Take care of YOU!!