[cashart10]

Today during my psychiatrist appointment my doctor brought up SSDI. He said he thought I would qualify and he thought it would be beneficial for me and he didn't see me going back to work soon. I won't qualify for it (because I haven't put in enough hours) and that is fine with me. However, it is a little discouraging that my doctor thought I would need it. I'm only 31 years old. He is always telling me to "be real" about things regarding my illness. His suggestion that I should be real about my illness in parenthood is the reason my husband and I decided not to have more children. Will I ever get past this illness? Will it always impose such strong consequences on my life? Even when I'm feeling relatively stable there rests a burden on my shoulder from manic depression. It just wears me out.

[Tucson]

I think it will be better for you once you are stable on meds. But BP IMO will always be a factor in your life that needs consideration.

[~Christina]

I think its possible for 99% of Bipolar people to find periods of stability and in those times you can learn coping skills of all kinds to help if you start to stumble.

Being on disability isnt a life long deal for everyone, Many go on it , takes pressure off you can focus on being healthy . It doesn't mean you are stuck for life, Disability reviews cases every year or 3 . Its not hopeless , its a gift.. A gift to allow you time to get healthy.

Really consider it. You have been in a horrible struggle for a very long time.

Ps: Adorable Pic !!!! Pretty lady

[Wander]

As Jimi Hendrix said, 'Manic Depression is a frustrating mess'.

I could write a long list of things that I feel Bipolar has stolen from me and it breaks my heart so I kind of understand some of your pain. In the end, unless you are in a very unwell place, you are the best judge of what you can or cannot deal with. Accepting that I have Bipolar and that it brings certain restrictions to my life is very hard for me to deal with. I have only been diagnosed 18 months ago so I have not made peace with it yet but I do hope that it is possible for all of us. Still Bipolar is an illness to be taken very seriously and perhaps your doctor is just giving you options to manage living with Bipolar. I wish there was a button that we could all push and get off the BP merry-go-round as it is exhausting. To my knowledge though there is not. Take care.

Originally Posted by cashart10

Today during my psychiatrist appointment my doctor brought up SSDI. He said he thought I would qualify and he thought it would be beneficial for me and he didn't see me going back to work soon. I won't qualify for it (because I haven't put in enough hours) and that is fine with me. However, it is a little discouraging that my doctor thought I would need it. I'm only 31 years old. He is always telling me to "be real" about things regarding my illness. His suggestion that I should be real about my illness in parenthood is the reason my husband and I decided not to have more children. Will I ever get past this illness? Will it always impose such strong consequences on my life? Even when I'm feeling relatively stable there rests a burden on my shoulder from manic depression. It just wears me out.

After getting out of the hospital, I saw my pdoc and he said the same thing. Like I can live on it, but I do put an ad in the paper for work.

[Flyer]

Disability payments can be a choice. If you do not qualify for SSDI, you may be eligible for what they used to call Title 19. I may be wrong on the name, but generally funded through the state from where I was. Similar to Medicare vs. Medicaid. You can ask at your local welfare office.

If you don't want to apply but work, that's okay too, if it doesn't compromise yourself, employer or work site.

I kept working as long as I could. It got me out of the house, paid well, and was my extended family. I did not realize that it also served as therapy, until I had been off for a while.

Disability is not all that it seems cracked up to be, but in some cases, as in mine, it was needed. My place of work had become unhealthy for me. As said, it doesn't have to be long term.

I don't understand the statement about parenting.

I would not appreciate the advice to "be real" coming from a pdoc and would ask for direction in how he might think I could improve.

Are you in therapy?

Best wishes.

[BipolaRNurse]

Whatever you decide, you should go ahead and apply for disability anyway. It takes a long time for anything to happen, and there's a ton of paperwork in the meantime. You can always change your mind later and go back to work, but if not, at least you've put the process in motion.

[cashart10]

Originally Posted by Flyer

Disability payments can be a choice. If you do not qualify for SSDI, you may be eligible for what they used to call Title 19. I may be wrong on the name, but generally funded through the state from where I was. Similar to Medicare vs. Medicaid. You can ask at your local welfare office.

If you don't want to apply but work, that's okay too, if it doesn't compromise yourself, employer or work site.

I kept working as long as I could. It got me out of the house, paid well, and was my extended family. I did not realize that it also served as therapy, until I had been off for a while.

Disability is not all that it seems cracked up to be, but in some cases, as in mine, it was needed. My place of work had become unhealthy for me. As said, it doesn't have to be long term.

I don't understand the statement about parenting.

I would not appreciate the advice to "be real" coming from a pdoc and would ask for direction in how he might think I could improve.

Are you in therapy?

Best wishes.

I had two children when I had that conversation with him. He had known me, been my doctor on and off since I was 15. He was offering his opinion which was basically that it's hard enough having children in our society and when you throw in a severe illness and the extreme instability I have had in periods of my lifetime, it is much harder. Thus he told me to "be real" about it. I accidentally became pregnant with my third child just a couple weeks after that conversation. I was very taken aback by the conversation at first but after discussing it with my husband we felt that he was just looking out for my best interest. It was that conversation that had the greatest impact on me getting my tubes tied. I actually regret it sometimes; we probably would've had a larger family.
It was the right decision though.

I'm not in therapy. I was in therapy, but now We can't afford it.

[Victoria'smom]

You may be able to get SSI. it can't hurt trying. The proccess is usually a year+ long

[cashart10]

Thank you all for your kind responses. I am not sure what I'm going to do yet. I don't have 40 quarters so I won't get full SSDI if I were to apply (I'm not even sure if I can). That affects my decision. My mom thinks I should wait until I'm sure I can't work. Right now I really would like to go back to work at some point. I'm just not sure how hard it is to go on and off SSDI.

[Flyer]

Good advise to start the SSD/SSI ball rolling. SSD benefits start from the time you first apply, without breaking the chain by inactivity. It won't hurt anything, and good advice.

I know nothing about SSI, but with SSD it is not easy to get accepted and may take several months. I think SSI may be easier and faster.?. Ppl on SSD are allowed to work to a monetary limit. If a person does get full time employment, they are allowed to collect SSD for a time, maybe reduced, but they want to make sure you can do it before cutting you off so you don't have to start all over again.

I think Medicaid has more advantages and coverage than Medicare, so it's better in that respect.

I was concerned about your dr's statements, but it is understandable now, since you did have a relationship with him/her. Sometimes we need that kick in the hind end.

Best wishes and take good care of you. ((()))