[Betty_Banana]

How many here are on SSDI for PTSD and how hard was it to be approved?

[Betty_Banana]

Anyone at all on SSDI for PTSD?

[seesaw]

I was on it for PTSD. It was quick for me because I had so many hospitalizations and I also had been approved by my private disability insurance first. So I'm an abnormal case. It is possible, but you have to show that you cannot hold down employment.

[Nammu]

I got it quick but I'm also deaf. Deafness never kept me from working tho, it wasn't till the PTSD and multiple hospitals that my dr recommend SSDI. That was decades ago, might be harder now. They also put major depression and DID down though I disagreed with those. Now it's my back as the PTSD is no longer a issue.

[Betty_Banana]

Thank you both. I'm considering applying soon.I know it's supposed to be much easier to get approved for anxiety disorders now so I hope I will be approved fast.

[seesaw]

Originally Posted by Betty_Banana

Thank you both. I'm considering applying soon.I know it's supposed to be much easier to get approved for anxiety disorders now so I hope I will be approved fast.

List every disorder you have. And list all the dates of hospitalization, etc. If you self harm, send pictures (sorry, that's terrible, but it's true). Apply ASAP bc these days everyone seems to get denied on the first application and have to go into the appeal process.

[~Christina]

Does your Pdoc agree that you need SSDI ? If not it’s virtually impossible to be awarded it.

[Calypso2632]

a couple years ago i had multiple diagnosis and major issues including horrible hallucinations and delusions. but because of my work history and my doctor being magic with keeping me just stable enough to stay home i was denied even with a lawyer. 3 times, twice in court before 2 different judges. my lawyer told me less than 30% of people who go for disability receive it now and those stats go lower for mental health reasons..

[Betty_Banana]

It's been awhile since I started this thread.

I contacted my therapist last week and he said if I'm unable to work it's worth a try.

But now,I have so much anxiety just thinking about actually applying.

Is applying online pretty much the same as applying in person? Online seems the easier route to take since I won't have to deal with the anxiety of face to face.

And what exactly will my therapist need to fill out? Will Social Security send him what's needed or will I have to take paperwork to him?

[Betty_Banana]

Also,what info will my therapist share with SSA? What do they need to know?

[BeyondtheRainbow]

They will send your therapist and/or any doctors they want to hear from forms to fill out. You don't have to worry about that. The forms will ask a lot of questions about how you are able to function and how your diagnosis affects your life, much like the ones you fill out. My therapist fills his out with me so we know we are consistent (yet honest).

[Moose72]

i had to go before a judge with my lawyer.

My pdoc provided over an inch of paperwork from my psych file- mostly reports from hospitalizations

[Betty_Banana]

This may sound like a stupid question but..

The forms ask about marriages and I was married once before as a teenager. It was annulled. I honestly don't remember the date I was married, I remember the age and that it was in the Fall. Since it was an annulment do I even need to give that info?

Tbh,I haven't filled out my application yet for this reason. I'm embarrassed that I don't remember. It was such a long time ago and back then I was struggling with an undiagnosed dissociative disorder.

I suppose I could go to the courthouse for that info,couldn't I?

[bpcyclist]

There should be a record there, I would think.

[Betty_Banana]

Originally Posted by bpcyclist

There should be a record there, I would think.

Thanks. I'm really embarrassed that I will have to go to the courthouse for the info but I guess I gotta do it so I can fill out the application

[divine1966]

Good luck.

I was also young when got married, I do remember when we got married but neither I nor my ex recall when we got divorce. We had to obtain it from somewhere as we needed divorce decree to be able to remarry. But I to this day we don’t remember and have to dig it out. Some things just don’t stay in ones memory

I actually think if it was annulled you don’t need to put it down. Annulled is same as never married

[Betty_Banana]

Originally Posted by divine1966

Good luck.

I was also young when got married, I do remember when we got married but neither I nor my ex recall when we got divorce. We had to obtain it from somewhere as we needed divorce decree to be able to remarry. But I to this day we don’t remember and have to dig it out. Some things just don’t stay in ones memory

I actually think if it was annulled you don’t need to put it down. Annulled is same as never married

Thanks. I don't feel so embarrassed knowing I'm not the only one that doesn't remember something that "should " seem important.

That's what I was kinda thinking too about the annulment, that I wouldn't need to put it down. I guess I could just go ahead and leave it out and see how that works out.

[sophiebunny]

Originally Posted by Betty_Banana

Also,what info will my therapist share with SSA? What do they need to know?

They want everything about your illness and treatment. If you have a psychiatrist, get him involved. It is very likely SSA will send you to one of their psychiatrists for an evaluation.

When I went through the process, I was committed long term to a psychiatric hospital. The hospital staff filled out the paperwork and my guardian signed them. I was approved in less than 4 weeks. It just depends on your circumstances. I did eventually get off disability and go back to work. Disability doesn't have to be forever. It is an essential support sometimes though as you are going through treatment. The more proof of the severity of your illness you can produce the better chance you have. An MD's recommendation is important.

[Betty_Banana]

I finally got the courage to apply.

I didn't put the marriage down that ended with an annulment. I am ok with that because when I clicked for more info on the previous marriages question it said it was marriages that ended in divorce or death.

It's on step 2 now of the process and my medical part is being determined.

Idk why applying has given me such bad anxiety. I will be glad when a determination is made,one way or the other.

I'm hoping my therapist gives such detailed info that it will suffice.

Fingers crossed.

[Betty_Banana]

I've been reading that it usually takes,on average,3 to 6 months to get a determination. Is that correct?

It only took 5 weeks for my husband,I know that's not the norm and why I'm asking here.

[seesaw]

I have ssdi for PTSD. It took me a couple of months, I think. But I had private disability insurance that had already approved me so SSDI was easier to get because a third party had already ruled me disabled.

From what I hear from many people is that is takes up to 6 months for a decision but typically people are turned down on the first try and then have to get an attorney to appeal the decision for them. It can take a couple of years to work its way through the appeal system.

[Betty_Banana]

Thanks @seesaw.

I've been reading that most people are denied so that's what I'm expecting.

I'm not sure if I will pursue it any further after that. This is all just too anxiety provoking for me.

[WePow]

So sorry you are having so much pain. It was hard for me to emotionally accept my SSDI. I did not want it. I had worked my entire adult life. I had a great IT job and I knew it was their fault for my autistic meltdown that cost me my job. But I also had to recognize that I "actually" have mental health issues. Sure, they did not know how to handle my outbursts, my PTSD, and my dissociative identity disorder. And switching personalities at work scared the heck out of my coworkers. Not having any idea what the boss told one of my alters was not good when the boss asked me about the work and I was clueless. Put it all together, and I finally had to accept that the company had only one choice after the multiple HR visits and short term disability incidents over the years. But it was MY job of 16 years and it was a part of who I was. Loosing that job was a death to me. And going on disability made me feel like I had failed in life.

But the truth is that I know I need to be on SSDI. I am mentally unwell. Now, I work hard every day to do things that will help me heal. I study art and do art therapy. And I continue my personal therapy and take my medications. But I know it will be a very long time before I feel safe enough internally to return to work of any type.

I was denied the first time. It was expected because I heard how difficult it was to be approved. But I had to try again because I was just not able to work. So I hired a lawyer who worked for free until I was approved. They only took a small amount from the back pay. It was worth it. I got approved with only the first appeal.


But I had to do my own leg work... I asked my therapist to release all of my paperwork to them. Sure, it was surrendering my truth to strangers... but I needed to have money in order to live and I could not work. So he sent them copies of everything he had. I also had to make sure my psych doc sent in her info on me. It was actually a lot of work for me to get those things back to the SS office. And I had to send the info to my lawyer as well. But I know that I had to do those things if I wanted to be approved.

You must fight for what you need. It may be difficult emotionally to accept the fact that you need help from others. It is a huge bite out of my pride to have to accept disability. But I have no other choice. You are going to be anxious in the process. I encourage you to document everything and continue therapy. Let them see that you are fighting for your sanity. And let the doctors in your life stand up for you. Just be sure you ask the doctors for what you need from them. They will send their paperwork directly to SS, but you can ask for a copy of the letter.

Hope this helps.

[unaluna]

Hi, WePow!!

[Betty_Banana]

Are they even processing applications for SSDI during this pandemic?

All the offices are closed and the site says they are doing the "critical" work,but IDK if applications would even be considered critical or not. I doubt it.