[clouds_and_sun]

I was not quite sure where to put this topic. I have a friend tell me recently that I should consider on just applying for social security since I have panic disorder and anxiety and depression. I have been now trying to work with a social worker with the state for just about a year to find me a job, with my mental conditions of anxiety, panic disorder and depression, but no such luck. I am also on medication as well, I have been on it for few years now.
These days it is very hard to find a job in a tiny office setting that is low on stress with the economy and all. Trust me, I tried to work in the big corporation setting and I had bad panic attacks that caused me to walk out of my jobs and not return. I got depressed too. People tell me to change who I am and get a tougher shell, trust me I have tried.
The last steady job I had was 4 years ago and I was at the company for 5 years, it was a very small family setting type of office and the boss retired cause of slow business and he was 64. I talked to my social worker and they said that finding a job like that these days is very very very hard, they were right I am still job less. I told them that I tried to work in the bigger companies but I can't handle the catty people I have tried, trust me. Also another downer is that I don't drive (phobia) and the bus system is no where near me.
So cause of all of this my only offline friend said that maybe I should try social security but I heard it is really hard to get, like it is "luck of the draw". And it takes many years.
So I was wondering if anyone here is on social security and is it hard to get it?
Do you all have any friendly advice about this situation.
Thank you kindly in advance for your help.
Have a good day

[greylove]

Hi there clouds and sun. I can tell you about my experience with the hope that it will help.
I was diagnosed late in life with Bipolar 1. When I was manic, I was fired from my job. I've since been hopitalized three times and the bottom line is that I'm incapable of working. It was time to apply for Social Security anyway......my husband urged me to apply for SS Disability as well. I thought as you do, that it would take years to get it if they even considered me eligible. The bottom line: I was given a phone appointment to answer a million questions, but they weren't difficult (I had hubby as a back-up) and the person I talked to was truly a peach. I got SSD within a couple of weeks........with payment retro-active to the first of the calendar year.
I have a friend, much younger and disabled with anxiety, OCD and a host of other things. This goes back many years, but he got Social Security in a relatively short time.
For me, it wasn't remotely the production I expected it to be. Good luck if you go that route.......I have no doubt that it isn't worth trying.

[bebop]

in all honesty here since you are already out of work requirements are you have to be out of work at least 5 months to even apply. sounds like you meet that one so I would go ahead and start trying. it can't hurt but do be prepared for it to take awhile to do it. what do your drs say? disabled or not? that is the biggest issue though. good luck with whatever you decide.

[aria83]

I am on social security. The first time I applied, I was denied, and life was REALLY difficult then. But then I got a lawyer, had a hearing, and was granted a year on social security by the judge.

Since I have been on it (actually, before I got on it), life has gotten a lot better and easier to manage. It has taken a LOT of hard work on my part, educating myself on how to get better, etc, but it is worth it. I even have a job now.

I heard everyone gets denied the first time, but maybe thats just in my state, or, not true at all.

[Twisti]

I started getting my SSI in 1999 so im sure laws, rules etc have changed but I do know you CAN get it for mental health issues and although it took me two years to be approved after two turn downs ive heard it doesnt take nearly as long nowa days. Good Luck if you decide to do this...if you cant work you just cant work.

[aria83]

Oh I should add, all in all, it took me about 2 years as well to get on ssd / ssi

[arcangel]

I was in therapy and on several meds for depression and anxiety sometime in the early 90's. I was in a very bad mental and emotional state. I had a psychiatrist and a therapist. The pdoc suggested I apply for SSD. I did. I had the psychiatrist, therapist and a GP backing me. I was denied. The pdoc told me that most people are denied and strongly encouraged me to appeal. I didn't. I didn't feel I had the mental and emotional stability to fight. I should have. Don't make the mistake I did.
You should do this.
I'm thinking about doing it myself but I don't have the backing I had then so I'm not very hopeful.
But I think you should apply. I'm glad you posted. Maybe I'll post a thread about my situation and get some good advice.
Good luck

[nicoleb2]

I got approved on my first attempt. For depression and borderline personality disorder. I never even had to do a phone interview, so it can happen on the first attempt. As far as I know, the back pay starts from when you first applt