[bpforever1]

I was here awhile back but had a psychotic break. I am doing awful. I have to receive shots now once a month. I am in the states again and would like to receive SSDI. I have a history of schizoaffective disorder bipolar type. I seem to have a psychotic break every three years. My parents put me in an apartment and I caused a lot of noise, was told I had to leave the apartment. I found another apartment and am trying to keep quiet. I have been hospitalized every three years for the past ten years and now know that I have to ask for SSDI. I am getting old and don't think I will recover fully. I feel awful. I was doing well for awhile but being all alone in another country put me at risk. I am going to the doctor each month to receive shots but have not had the courage to ask for SSDI yet but will next time I see the doctor. I don't know what to expect and was wondering if it is difficult to receive SSDI given my situation? I really can't work anymore since my delusions are becoming too real for me. I don't hear voices per se but talk to other characters inside of me. My brother noted that I talk a lot to myself. I sometimes believe space aliens are after me but have not said this to the doctor yet because my family was always coming with me to my sessions with the doctor. I am quite embarrassed but know this is a life-threatening matter. I am apathetic and have no energy while remaining irritable. I am a mess. I caused so much pain to my family and it hurts me. However, I must persevere. Does anybody have any advice about SSDI? How I should go about receiving it? I will ask my doctor of course next time. Is anybody having difficulty receiving SSDI?

[sarahsweets]

It is a long process to get SSDI. You should start the application before you even go and see the doctor.

[Fuzzybear]

Hugs to you

[BeyondtheRainbow]

This link is where you start the application process and also gives you information you may need/want. Disability Benefits | Social Security Administration You can also apply at your local social security office. If you choose to use an attorney contact them before you start. Some people use attorneys through the whole process and some wait until they've been denied once or twice. My advice is for the situation that you are not using an attorney simply because I didn't and I don't know that process.

If I remember right you start with an online form and then they send you more paperwork as well as sending paperwork to your doctors. They will request medical records for you.

Give every detail you can. Don't try to look good; point out how difficult anything that is difficult is and why it is difficult and how you manage or don't manage. Include every doctor and hospital you've seen/been in for as far back as you can (or it allows you).

Your pdoc will support or not support you but it isn't their decision. Obviously it does help if they support the decision. You can start the process on your own before you see the pdoc.

If you have questions please post. Lots of us have been through the process.

[bpforever1]

Thank you everybody for replying. I am feeling a little better now. I will do whatever it takes to survive. My mood is similar to a roller coaster. I at times feel a little better but mostly feel bad. I hope to get better with time. Time will only tell. I am still wondering if I will receive SSDI. I am apprehensive about it still. But, unless I apply I won't know. I again thank you for your replies. If I have any questions, I will ask.

[bpforever1]

I am feeling better. I looked into the amount I can receive through SSI and realize I can't make ends meet. I have not worked long enough to receive SSDI. I am taking my time to recover. I am hoping to continue with my shots and hoping to remain stable. I went off my medications again because I forgot to take them. I think the shots are more suitable for me. I am feeling fine. I gained much weight though. I will try to lose weight while continuing with the shots. I believe I can recover somehow. I am feeling good for once. I am hoping to make a comeback and find some work again somewhere. I am not going to rush it though. I will do my best and take my time to recover.

[bpforever1]

I'm looking into becoming a real estate sales agent. My mother is against it and wants me to return to Asia although she denies this. I'm not too interested in hearing her illogical rant anymore about working. She thinks I can make it as a English instructor in Asia. Hahaha!! There are not full-time positions at my age in Asia for such jobs. I had enough of her moronic reasoning. Well, she does not need me. She thinks she can find a job as an interpreter at age 85. Good luck!! When one is illogical, nothing makes sense. I am going to save money for my real estate classes and take the exam. I think I'll have to drive again. I have not driven in about three years. But, I must do what I need to survive. I am hellbent on becoming a real estate sales person. I used to be a top salesperson in another field. I don't know how difficult the real estate agent exam is but am going to focus on saving money for the classes and do my best from there. I will also try to learn Spanish in the meantime.

[bpforever1]

I feel ok today. My mother and I are getting along again. I will be fine. I'm waiting to receive money for groceries but will spend it on classes instead. I will do my best to survive.

[Rose76]

I don't think you have anything to lose by applying for SSI. If I were you, I would start that process. Go online and look for law firms that specialize in helping people get SSDI and SSI. They are easy to find. Start researching the subject, and pop-up advertisements will appear. It doesn't matter where they are located. Call a few of them. They will call you back real fast, and they're nice to talk to. Each one will ask you this question: "Do you have a doctor who prescribes psych meds to you, and is your doctor supportive of you seeking disability?" Your doctor should be. Your psych issues are substantial. Simply ask your doctor if he/she would provide a letter to a law firm confirming that you have been needing treatment and have been unable to recover yet, despite getting treatment. I think your doctor will do that for you.

It's great that you want to get training and employment. But I think you are underestimating the seriousness of your condition. A reliable income, that belongs to you, even if it is small, can bring an element of stability and security into your life. Then you will be allowed to earn some additional money. Start the process of applying for SSI. I strongly believe you qualify. See what the law firms think. They won't even take your case, unless they think you have at least an 85% chance of being approved. You are going to need SSI when you are elderly. But they may bump up the age for getting that for persons applying just on the basis of being elderly. So go for it now. You very well might get it in 3 months. I did. And I probably didn't have as strong a case as you have.

You have a better chance of being approved for SSI, if you are not currently going to school or working. So go after the SSI first. Then, if the real estate thing works out - great. You may lose the SSI, but I think they give you a period of time to see if your employment is systainable. Here's a link to read about how working impacts your receipt of SSI:

Can You Work While Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits? | DisabilitySecrets

The rules for working while getting SSI are much different from the rules for working while getting SSDI. Start googling the subject, but make sure you read the sections specifically for recipients of SSI.

Any one can go to a Social Security Administration office and fill out an application. But a law firm will go after all the paperwork needed and make sure stuff is filed before deadlines. Plus they know exactly what to do, if you get a denial.

I'm about as good as anyone when it comes to filling out forms. But I was very glad to have an office full of paralegals and clerks checking up on everything. (Most of the work isn't even done by lawyers, but that's okay. Those clerks do this stuff every day.)

Don't starve to pay for some classes that don't even guarantee you a job. You don't know when you might have another breakdown. Get some security in place now, while you are feeling not so bad.

[bpforever1]

Rose76, thank you for replying. I am still dependent on my family unfortunately. I am doing my best to accommodate my mother's wishes. She would like me to live with her and help her while she helps me. I am not against it but don't know if it is in my best interest. I may return to Asia to live with her. While there, if she helps me, then I will try to work. I really want to live with my family because I'm tired of living alone and doing everything by myself. I don't mind if I could receive SSI. However, I'm still a dependent and my family is claiming me as such. My family is still working. My parents are in their 80s and are healthy still. If I am all alone, I would look into receiving SSI. I am not though. I am hoping to live with my family as long as possible. I don't mind helping them when I can. I have given up on living independently for now. It is too hard for me. I know my limitations. I am not interested in dating or being with anybody else. I don't feel alone while I'm with my family. I have a sibling but feel closest to my mother oddly enough. I am hoping she lives a long time and believe she will given her good health. Thank you for your message!

[Rose76]

Thanks for the update. Living in a family situation has definite advantages. You've lived alone in an apartment by yourself. So you know what that is like. If your mom and you both like the idea of you all living together, then that's an option you definitely want to consider. It might be the best option. I'm glad your parents enjoy good health. Being together has its ups and downs. That's life. But you can be a help to your folks, and vice versa. Since your mom is encouraging you to stay with her and you feel you would like to, then that sounds like a plan that might be best. It's good to have someone to sit down to dinner with and to have a conversation with. I wish you the best.

[bpforever1]

Thank you, Rose76! I'm doing a lot better now mentally. I am waiting for my mother to go to Asia for awhile. I am looking forward to living with her. I'm doing well so far. The pdoc lowered my dose since I was too sedated. I also lost five pounds. I think the shots are helping. I feel more alive and in- tune with reality. I am doing more tasks. My goals are to lose weight, become more stable mentally, and find some work eventually. In the meantime, I'm going to study also when time permits.

[LucyD]

Go to your nearest SS Office and apply. I believe you can get it. You may not get SSDI but SSI but I don't know your work history here and it depends on how much you have worked here to get SSDI but SSI does not. You will need doctor verification of your illnesses. I got it many years ago. It is not always a long process as it was not with me.

[bpforever1]

Hello,


Thank you for everybody's replies. I went to the psychdoc today. He said that it would take me years before I could ever receive SSI and that it is not worth it. He knows people who have tried 8 or 9 years and still have not received anything. Now, it is even harder to receive disability. Also, it is not a permanent situation. Disability is reviewed every so often. Thus, I am going to look for work again and make the best of my situation.

[Rose76]

I think your doctor ought to stick to medicine. The best person to advise you is a disability lawyer.

My doctor told me it would take a long time. I got approved in 3 months.

[~Christina]

It’s virtually impossible to get SSDI unless your Doctor agrees you need it . Unless you have physical problem that would qualify you.

You can always get a 2nd opinion from a new Pdoc but I wouldn’t walk in and announce your there to get SSDI, just see what a new Pdoc feels your diagnosis is and go from there.

[bpforever1]

I've decided to become an interpreter/translator. I like studying on my own. I have to take some exams though. I will see how it goes. My goal is to take the exams by the end of this year.

[bpforever1]

I applied to become a peer counselor and did get invited to attend a training program. However, I don't have a car and had to decline it. I am studying hard to pass my exams and just received a certificate in completing a language portfolio in the language I'm studying at the most advanced level. I still have some room to improve in my speaking and writing abilities but will continue to do my best.

[bpforever1]

I put up an ad to do freelance medical translation work. I don't know if I will get any responses. I am so excited!! I am moving now and am really busy.

[bpforever1]

I am moving still and doing well. I received encouragement from a friend who said he would introduce me to a language company's manager. I told him I wanted to pass speaking and writing exams first before meeting his friend who is the manager. I will take these exams by the end of this year. I will do my best and study as much as possible until then. I am very happy!!

[bpforever1]

I got a part-time teaching job paying 34 dollars an hour. I am also thinking about going to nursing school and become a nurse-midwife. I am going to talk to the academic advisor at the nursing school of my choice and see what happens. I am doing well again and know if I set my heart on being healthy and being stable, I can do it!!

[Rose76]

I'm glad to hear you sounding so well.
Congratulations on the job.

[bpforever1]

Thank you very much, Rose 76! I am doing better than ever. I hope it lasts.

[bpforever1]

I am doing well. This part-time job may lead to a full-time schedule. However, there are no benefits. I feel lucky to have found a job though. I will be leaving my current situation soon to go work. I need to remain stable and will remind myself to receive my monthly shots. I feel stable for now. I wanted to thank all those who wrote on my thread! I also wanted to remind myself that I’ve come a long way in a short time. I will try to do this job for a year or two. Then, I will decide to return to school.

[bpforever1]

I am doing well and like my job-teaching. Things are going well. I love it here. I will do this job for awhile. I am happy!