Help! Disability!

I've been attending a partial hospitalization program (php)for several weeks now. When I was in the hospital they diagnosed me with bipolar. My therapist had put me on disability in Feb of this year. It ended this month but she wanted me to stay on it until Jan 1, 2008. Last month she moved back east. I talked to the pdoc at the php and he said he would fill out the extension form for me. I just got a call from his office and the receptionist said he could only put it for three weeks and the pdoc thought I could go back to work!

I am definitely not ready for work. I've been crying since I talked to the receptionist. I'm a teacher and I work with young ones and we always have a few with special needs. My son has many special needs and I'm having a hard enough time dealing with my needs let alone his. Everytime I think about going back to work I get upset. I know if I try and work and deal with the home issues I will be back in the hospital. I don't know what to do.

I've just started to see a new therapist. I have an appointment with her on Thursday. The receptionist at the pdoc said I could have the therapist do an extension, but I don't know whether she will or not or even talk to the doctor. Has anyone been in this situation? Any ideas about what to do.

This day really sucks!

Hi there,

Seems odd that he would tell you one thing and then change his mind and have his secretary tell you.

I would call back tomorrow and tell his secretary that you need to speak with him as soon as possible. This should not have been a surprise to you and you deserve an explanation.

Tranquility

sorry you r going through this. you can apply for disability through social security for bipolar. i did i have been getting payments from ssd for about 3 years now. it's hard. but other wise i would ask your new doc for a second opinion. sorry couldn't be more help. p.s. you can apply for ssd over the phone. it's usualy 8 months to 12 years process. good luck

I am so sorry for the very difficult time you are having...

you can also apply for SSD online, good luck and gentle hugs to you!

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability/

I know when I was in your situation I was very scared; but, I have to be pushed to do things instead of letting them rule me, you know? I may come off as being a bit harsh, for that I apologize I just want to give you advice that was given to me. Are you absolutely sure that you really are not ready. Sometimes we feel as we'll never be ready and all we can do is make the best out of a not so good situation. Do you think that maybe the doc's right that you may be ready to go back to work in a few weeks? I'd look at it tis way; it's sort of grim and maybe a little cynical but, the doctor's whether we want to admit it or not, it's there job to take care of us, right? So, it may not truly be in their best interest to see you off because in a sense they are losing a "customer/consumer". And so I believe they are giving you good advice whether you like or approve of what they have to say. Just wanted to give you a different outlook on things. Good luck to you and I wish you all the best. Hugs, Danielle

Hi Tortues,

In my state, I think the way the situation works (ideally) is that a person gets state disability benefits like food stamps and medical assistance and sometimes cash assistance when their doctor makes a determination that they are unable to work. In the meantime, a caseworker at the state level assists people in working with the federal social security office to see if they qualify for federal social security disability. At the very least they should have pointed you in the right direction as the above posting did--like the website for social security on line.
I empathize with your distress in this situation as we were one step away from homelessness before I got my social security disability and it didn't help my stress and anxiety and depression levels because I have a young daughter to provide for.
I was not then or now ready for work. Are you telling the people at partial hospitalization how bad you are doing. One thing I had to get over was trying to minimize and cover up how bad I was doing. That's okay to do with acquaintances or people you cannot trust with how bad you feel. But with mental health professionals, we only hurt ourselves if we try to suck it up and put on a good face.
I hope you will or have let the new therapist know how bad the situation is. Please don't offense at me telling you this, I am just trying to let you and others know what kept me from getting what I needed.

I will send you a pm. Good luck

Meta