[emgreen]

Since I'm on SSDI, I hate it when people ask me where I'm working. I'm only 52 & not close to retirement age, but my bipolar disorder -- especially the lingering depression -- prevents me from maintaining employment. I was able to compensate at one time, working in the same field for 20 years, but my occasional manic flip-outs & the debilitating depressed periods eventually caught up with me.

Anyways, when folks ask me where I'm working, I lie to them; I tell them I'm just doing consulting work now. Lies tend to be infinite, though...Eventually tripping us up at some point or another. In short, I'm embarrassed about being on SSDI.

There are sometimes long, stable periods when I feel capable of working, but I'm always afraid of what lies behind that inevitable corner. I fear that folks will think the bipolar is all in my head (which is fact I guess ) & that I'm just milking the system. Most of the time, bipolar disorder is an invisible affliction that many don't understand -- at least that's my fear. If you're on SSDI, how do you deal with this dilemma?

[Victoria'smom]

I'm on SSI because of CP but it's actually more to do with bipolar. Right now I'm a stay at home mom and my husband "works at home as a web designer", and I'll take that lie as my son gets older. Our family knows I'm on SSI but for CP.

I know others feel we take advantage of the system. I also remind myself how little the amount is, how much our meds would cost w/o it, how hard it is for us to try to re-certify and how many times we've actually been homeless getting assistance. I'm not saying I tell people but I try not to be embarrassed.

[Otter63]

I can relate to your problem. I'm on disability and I have run into ugliness when I have shared that fact with people. I've started telling people, "I'm not working right now." They usually assume I'm between jobs and I let them think that. Seems to be working for me.

[Anneinside]

When people ask me where I work, I say I volunteer at ****. (I actually do but I don't like to put the name of it in a mental health blog/discussion.) Then I start talking about it and what we do there. They usually get pulled into the discussion and by the time we have finished talking about it they have forgotten that I didn't answer the question.

[Dylanzmama]

The last Christmas I spent with my family I walked in on my dad saying, "well it doesn't look like she's disabled..."
That me feel good

[anneo59]

Originally Posted by emgreen

Since I'm on SSDI, I hate it when people ask me where I'm working. I'm only 52 & not close to retirement age, but my bipolar disorder -- especially the lingering depression -- prevents me from maintaining employment. I was able to compensate at one time, working in the same field for 20 years, but my occasional manic flip-outs & the debilitating depressed periods eventually caught up with me.

Anyways, when folks ask me where I'm working, I lie to them; I tell them I'm just doing consulting work now. Lies tend to be infinite, though...Eventually tripping us up at some point or another. In short, I'm embarrassed about being on SSDI.

There are sometimes long, stable periods when I feel capable of working, but I'm always afraid of what lies behind that inevitable corner. I fear that folks will think the bipolar is all in my head (which is fact I guess ) & that I'm just milking the system. Most of the time, bipolar disorder is an invisible affliction that many don't understand -- at least that's my fear. If you're on SSDI, how do you deal with this dilemma?

sorry, it's tough, have been there and back, since going on SSDI at age 51 after years of work, as teacher, in military, writing, etc. but I'm sixty now in a tough economy, and don't get the questions I used to. Maybe it was just a time thing. Anyway, I think you should say whatever you feel is appropriate and do your best not to worry about what others think. Bless you, I know that's easier said than done and even applies to family members at times. But ya gotta do what ya gotta do and what you can do, and that's it, and no one else is living your life but you! Hang in there!!!!

[anneo59]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

I'm on SSI because of CP but it's actually more to do with bipolar. Right now I'm a stay at home mom and my husband "works at home as a web designer", and I'll take that lie as my son gets older. Our family knows I'm on SSI but for CP.

I know others feel we take advantage of the system. I also remind myself how little the amount is, how much our meds would cost w/o it, how hard it is for us to try to re-certify and how many times we've actually been homeless getting assistance. I'm not saying I tell people but I try not to be embarrassed.

sounds good, and no one else is living your life, managing your illnesses, taking care of your family, etc. It's good to try to move on after hearing that kind of stuff, although not always easy!

[anneo59]

Originally Posted by 1963Otter

I can relate to your problem. I'm on disability and I have run into ugliness when I have shared that fact with people. I've started telling people, "I'm not working right now." They usually assume I'm between jobs and I let them think that. Seems to be working for me.

yup, sounds good!!!!

[anneo59]

Originally Posted by Anneinside

When people ask me where I work, I say I volunteer at ****. (I actually do but I don't like to put the name of it in a mental health blog/discussion.) Then I start talking about it and what we do there. They usually get pulled into the discussion and by the time we have finished talking about it they have forgotten that I didn't answer the question.

Smart lady, Anne!!!

[anneo59]

Originally Posted by Dylanzmama

The last Christmas I spent with my family I walked in on my dad saying, "well it doesn't look like she's disabled..."
That me feel good

experienced that with a family member once, then sent him some scholarly, informative lit about my conditions. And lo and behold, his wife, my sis in law came up disabled a few years later!