[shortandcute]

OK, so here's the deal. I applied for disability about two years ago, and kept getting denied. So I sought out a lawyer and got an appeal---my hearing was in august of this year. In november, I received an "unfavorable decision" from the judge. Of course, my attorney filed an appeal on that decision that same day! We are still waiting.

Here in one of the "reasons" that I was denied:
One symptom of my mental illness is that I isolate (really bad). Of course, that just makes me worse. I also have bad back problems, and while I'm isolating, I usually don't do anything physical either, which makes my back pain worse (doesn't help the depression either). My doctor, psychiatrist, and my therapist all thought it would help me to at least do some light excercise and get involved in group therapy. Since I am a recovering alcoholic, they encouraged me to keep attending A.A. Well, I was doing all that, on the advice of my doctors, But the judge used that against me and stated that I had a very "active social" life, and "engaged in excercise on a regular basis," therefore it was not possible for me to have any disability. (Keep in mind, that I did not offer that information to the judge or the lawyer; that was all on my doctors' notes,because they would always ask if I was still doing all the stuff they suggested.) Now, I'm scared to death to get involved in any type of group therapy or excercise because I'm afraid that will continue to be used against me!

Anyway, here is the main point of all this. The community college in my area is offering some free classes, starting in January, specifically for mental health patients. They're not career based, but are therapy based. there are group therapy sessions and classes about dealing with your mental illness, etc. So it would pretty much like what I'd be doing at the mental health place only at the college. I would very much like to go these, but I'm worried that, if I do, that will be used against me again. Can they deny me for that?

[Hellion]

Unfortunately the can deny you for pretty much whatever reason they come up with. But its utter crap they are using stuff like that against you. Therapy based activites and an active social life are two entirely different things.

Best thing to do is keep appealing, having a lawyer should help....at least from my perspective. I am not sure quite how it works but I would assume you get a different judge if you reappeal after an unfavorable decision. Also just make sure you don't downplay your symptoms at all...not saying you do but sometimes people in general are in the habit of not wanting to express quite how bad they feel.

To be honest second round appeals [after the first appeal has been denied] usually have a much higher rate of approval.

However, if you drastically change your activity level- like adding regular classes- there will be a lot more to consider, and they will be looking at completely different factors.

Your doctors can back up that you were doing what they told you to do and whether that is pretty much the limit of what you are capable of right now or not.

Going to AA meetings doesn't really consistute an active social life and you would be hard pressed to find a decent mental health professional to support the idea that it does.

However, if you are attending classes, that is an entirely different issue.

if you feel the classes are so important as to risk any financial stability which may give you the breathing room to get you on your feet again- go for it.

They could actually help you to a great extent.

If you don't want to risk it, don't.

It is possible, that if the appeal judge catches wind of it- and DO NOT LIE if you are asked about attending school and you decide to- they will consider that proof that you can also support yourself financially.

[If anyone wants to have that argument with me, I'm game, but one does not actually equal the other by a long shot]

RE: symptoms.
Refer to your symptoms on your worst day and how your functioning is affected day to day.

not like "it makes me feel ilke a crummy person" but "I have difficult functioning because getting to the bank or the grocery store becomes such a process that at times I don't even make it there. It is too painful, etc."

Specific, detailed, not too emotional, but accurate in how it affects functioning.

If the classes for those with mental health problems don't bomb at the school they will likely be offered again. After you are approved, you can try taking one and see how it goes?

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by JosieTheGirl

To be honest second round appeals [after the first appeal has been denied] usually have a much higher rate of approval.

However, if you drastically change your activity level- like adding regular classes- there will be a lot more to consider, and they will be looking at completely different factors.

Your doctors can back up that you were doing what they told you to do and whether that is pretty much the limit of what you are capable of right now or not.

Going to AA meetings doesn't really consistute an active social life and you would be hard pressed to find a decent mental health professional to support the idea that it does.

However, if you are attending classes, that is an entirely different issue.

if you feel the classes are so important as to risk any financial stability which may give you the breathing room to get you on your feet again- go for it.

They could actually help you to a great extent.

If you don't want to risk it, don't.

It is possible, that if the appeal judge catches wind of it- and DO NOT LIE if you are asked about attending school and you decide to- they will consider that proof that you can also support yourself financially.

[If anyone wants to have that argument with me, I'm game, but one does not actually equal the other by a long shot]

RE: symptoms.
Refer to your symptoms on your worst day and how your functioning is affected day to day.

not like "it makes me feel ilke a crummy person" but "I have difficult functioning because getting to the bank or the grocery store becomes such a process that at times I don't even make it there. It is too painful, etc."

Specific, detailed, not too emotional, but accurate in how it affects functioning.

If the classes for those with mental health problems don't bomb at the school they will likely be offered again. After you are approved, you can try taking one and see how it goes?

thank you very much, both of your answers were very helpful I do agree that going to AA isn't the same as a social life, however, that was not how the judge saw it; in fact, she used that as one example of my "very active social life." Another example was that I go to the store sometimes!

[shortandcute]

Originally Posted by shortandcute

thank you very much, both of your answers were very helpful I do agree that going to AA isn't the same as a social life, however, that was not how the judge saw it; in fact, she used that as one example of my "very active social life." Another example was that I go to the store sometimes!

I think I may just put those sessions on hold for a while just to be safe