have a disability hearing on april 2nd. need tips, please!

hi, everyone, i have a hearing coming up and need some tips on really how to show my mental illness to the judge. the facilitator of my support group said stare off into space a lot and she said it worked for the person she gave this advice to. thanks in advance. what was your hearing like? were u approved/denied? any advice will help

When I was assessed for disability I took a support person with me. I had paperwork from my P'doc. I also took my stuffed polar bear with me.... because he really helps me. I stutter when I am stressed and have spasms.
My support person knew me well so she answered a lot of the questions. I was very stressed so I wasnt able to control myself. I was granted disability payments.

You shouldn't need to fake things. I find the suggestion that you stare off into space deceptive. If you don't do that normally, don't do it. If they realise you are faking it they will be less likely to grant you the disability allowance.

Take some-one with you that can support you and also validate your claim for disability.

Good Luck.

i'll take my parents with me and keep what you say in mind, although i do tend to stare off into space at times anyways, at least when people are asking me questions, etc. and i'm stressed. now, i'm thinking of taking my journal since it's rather hard to read but documents each day. thanks.

I just answered the questions asked. I would say dont offer any more info then they ask.

My mom came with me and answered questions as well. Again I would tell your family/support person to just answer the question asked and not volunteer more info.

Mine was just with an administrative law judge in a small room with the recorder person and employment person that says if they think you could be employed with your disablity. I had my attorney and mom next to me. I was really nervous but it really wasnt that bad. It took maybe 30 mins.

Hope that helps

Just be yourself... It's good that your parents are going with you.

I am sending you good wishes....... and luck.

Just some suggestions,
Don't look away from the person you are talking to.
Be sincere.
Explain in words how you are struggling maintaining your emotions are your emotions controling your life?
If you need help in taking care of yourself, say so.
Tell him/her of the earliest time you started having issues.
How long do think you need time to heal? If you don't know say so.
What have you done to overcome your disability. Examples like using this site, self help books, therapy, medications ect...
Have you ever been victimized as a child? Child abuse, bullied, beaten up.
Do you feel lost,confused, out of control, are you afried of people?
Do you feel so anxious around people /experience panic attacks?
Do you ever go a couple of days without the will to eat/ taking a shower
because of emotional/mental problems?
Give the list of all medications you are on and any side effects that would make working dangerous. Likely to cause or result in harm/injury to self or others*.
Any physical disability? Car accidents/head trauma/problems walking, can't sit/stand for too long, any back problems? Do you have a hard time following directions, maintaining focus, finishing tasks?
Do your medications require you to nap?
Show/Tell how your emotions/mental issues are controling your life.

just hoping i don't freak out when i go to my hearing....or maybe that would be a good thing. i get paranoid with a bunch of people around in a small room.

congratulations on getting to this stage, and best wishes, crab...

just be yourself, let your symptoms show, and remember how hard you tried not to be disabled, to keep working; and let them know how devastating it is to not be able to work. you are so fortunate to have someone to go with you... {{{Hugs}}}

Hi there. Your hearing is not a stage to put yourself on display, so you don't have to worry about that. It's an opportunity to use words to talk about yourself, your symptoms, and how your life is affected. I would imagine it would feel vulnerable and I can imagine your nervousness. Just be you and use your words speak for you.

consulted with my lawyer today and he said i have a 50/50 chance of winning my case because i need to come up with more reasons on why i cannot work. so i have to work on that. so tired of having odds against me.

Hi Crabshk,

I know what you are going through. My husband went with me and did most of the talking, because when I talked my voice would shake and they couldn't understand me. You will be fine. Depression is something that can take over your life, so let them know how it affects your daily routine. That's what they really want to know. Are you capable of working even part time? They are trying to determine if you could work with your disability. As unpredictable as depression is that shouldn't be hard. I got on disability within only a few months and then had to wait for 2 more before it would start.
Good luck and if you get nervous or begin to shake don't worry about it. They are looking for an honest response and they can tell if you are faking anything. Be yourself and let your parents talk about you and you can answer how you are feeling. Take care I will be thinking about you on April 2nd.

had my hearing this morning and i guess it wasn't too bad. was quite stressful though and i didn't know my lawyer would ask me questions, too. well, here's hoping we did good. i let my judge know i'm still not stable on meds yet.