[thenewnumbersix]

Hello. I am in something of a unique position. I am going through the process for social security disability for mental health reasons, and they want me to see a therapist on an ongoing basis. My problem is that all forms of therapy are immensly harmful to me. I have severe ptsd, stemming in part to being sexually assaulted by a therapist when I was 12. I cannot have any kind of psychiatric/psychological contact without crippling panic attacks. In addition, I have extreme social phobias and probably some type of cluster b personality disorder. I cannot have any sustained or intimate contact with other people. I have a reccomendation from a psychiatric evaluator stating that I should not be subjected to ongoing psychotherapy. The social security administration has ignored this and insists on ongoing psychotherapy to prove an ongoing mental disability. I have no idea how to deal with this. I think that if I were to try to really go to therapy I would end up violent or I would commit suicide. But I am on the verge of homelessness and need ssd. Any ideas at all about what to do would help me. Thank you.

[Argonautomobile]

That sounds like a dreadful situation to be in, Six. I'm so sorry that's happening.

Any chance you could speak to the T on the phone before going in? That might help make you less anxious and I'm sure the T would appreciate a heads-up about the situation. T may even have a helpful recommendation for making the process more bearable.

[NowhereUSA]

That sounds terrible

What about online therapy? There are therapists that operate through Skype or possibly through email? Would that be an option that would meet the requirements?

[Crescent Moon]

Can the psychiatric evaluator intervene? Maybe on the social security end someone is just not paying attention and the psychiatrist needs to call them. If social security has picked a therapist for you, maybe the psychiatrist could talk to the therapist, and then the therapist could talk to social security? Or... maybe if you saw the therapist one time and explained all of this - maybe then the therapist could advocate for you with social security?

[Littlemeinside]

You need to see a Pdoc who can also give you a dx. I´m not sure a therapists evaluation will have any say in getting your social security. Thats probably why the recommend it ;-) They can prolong your case and not have to pay.

Best of luck

[here today]

Sounds like Social Security is being unreasonable. Best way to approach that is through legal avenues -- try a legal aid office if you don't have much money. Or maybe your Congressional representative's office?

[vonmoxie]

At a minimum, I would think that any psychotherapy you might receive would be best obtained from someone who truly specializes in trauma, as I believe this can represent a world of difference in terms of their approach -- a difference not quite understood by professional without significant knowledge in the area.

Perhaps you could even track down a psychiatrist who specializes in trauma and who also provides psychotherapy services -- then you would have one stop shopping where required diagnostics and also any required therapy time are concerned. Or, if selecting a psychologist ask ahead of time if they have ongoing relationships with any psychiatrists who could be available for assistance with the diagnostic aspects.