Job VS Disability

I got diagnosed with Bipolar in 2004 and got on disability at that time. I went back to work in 2006. Before 2004, I was in and out of the hospitals (psych ward) with "major depression".
From 2006 to Aug 2013, I had a psychiatrist and therapist but still was sometimes in the hospital. For all those years, one of my biggest stresses was to not be able to hold on to a job. Sick days were frequent and sometimes for a week or 2. I worked 2 years at a Nursing Home before getting fired. That was the longest job for me. I think a new definition for disability should be: Unable to work 3 mo without calling off. This episode of bipolar (Mixed episode) has been the worse ever. I am still sick but I am also sick with Multiple Sclerosis (Diagnosed last month). I can't even drive because of dizziness and confusion (which has gotten better).
Anyway I am on disability and this time I will stay on it!!!

I was given my disability benefits in 2003 and a few years later because my drs appointments were erratic and i didnt send a form in on time they stopped them. I have been trying ever since to get them back, at the time i had 3 minor children. There is no possible way i can work and have been homeless at times before Behavorial Health here helped but i still havent gotten my benefits started again.

I was given disability for bipolar I but I started on medication and went back to work for a nursing home as well. I would rather be at home on disability because the job is really stressful.

Have you tried using an advocate, such as Binder & Binder. They are really worth it. They fight your case for you. Good luck!!!

I started working in Nursing Homes at age 16. Around 22 years old, I had an "episode" while I was on vacation. I really think the stress triggered the "episode", and still wonder to this day whether I'm bipolar. I've been hospitalized many times as well, and I guess a year and half ago, they decided I was eligible for disability. But I didn't want it, I want to be worthwhile and do something. I've tried many other jobs since then, but like you Mickey, they only last a while before I had to call in sick, or quit, because it just got me into a high gear that I couldn't get out of. I'm glad you have disability. Nursing homes have to be one of the hardest jobs there is, and its something people tell me I'd be good at again, but I don't think I could do it anymore. Just wanted to share.

Having a job is so much better than trying to live off the tiny amount disability gives you (at least it is where I live). Im desperate to get back to work but my support network says no. Im allowed to work 6 hours a week but no more. Which doesnt help the financial situation. I am thankful I am able to get disability though, I would be homeless without it and the kindness of my landlords.

Hi all. I've been practicing law, solo, since 2003. I worked for myself because I could hide my decompressions [not a clinical term, my own! lol] and suicide attempts. I am 54 yo, and had to quit practicing law because I was unable to cope with life and the stress. I'm on a list to start substitute teaching, but right now my agitation, confusion, and anger is very high. I have collected many diagnoses in my life: BPD, PTSD, Chronic Major Depression, and the most long term and recent: Major Mood Disorder with psychotic symptoms. I have many hospitalizations. I just saw a new MD and she says that she thinks I have Bipolar 1. I also just saw a psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. He said it is too soon for a diagnosis, but put me on Saphris. I'm still not doing well. So, I applied online for SSDI, not sure I can get it. But I would welcome any feedback about whether I should just keep trying to survive [I'm broke] or if I should substitute teach. I'm afraid of going into a classroom, mainly due to my long time inability to cope with stress and my anger/agitation. I appreciate your feedback! Hopeful Camel
_____________
Saphris 5mp
Tegretol 800 mg
Lamictal 150 mg
Topomax 25 mg [weird, I know? used to be 200mg]
Clonopin 2mg

Hopeful, it is a hard decision to decide to go and stay on disability. Each person has his/her own reason to be on it. I am a nurse and for me it is very important to be able to act professionally when at work. Anymore, even when I am well and even though I could go a few days or weeks without any flare-ups of any kind, I know that I can not work professionally any more. It is known that increased stress causes flare-ups and there is too much stress as a nurse! The last 2 years while working, I averaged flared-ups every 3-4 months, sometimes severe, sometimes mild. I would have to call-off work every time, sometimes for 2-3 weeks. I got on the disability and this time I think I will stay on it.

Anyways Hopeful, your decision to go on disability will be based on how you think and feel.You will also need to maintain professionalism while working as a teacher and teaching will also cause high stress. Do you feel like you will be able to do that job? How bad do you feel? Are your flare-ups mild or severe? When your symptoms are mild, are they mild enough for you to work at that time? How often do you have flare-ups and how often do you call-in sick as a result?

Why did your doctor say it is too soon for a diagnosis? Was it because he doesn't know you (he wasn't going to Dx you from history alone)? Are you able to go back to a doc who knows you? I am pretty sure that your Dx (even without bipolar) are acceptable Dx for disability as long as it causes you to be disabled.

I hope this helps. Good luck!!!

Mickey, I appreciate your thorough and thoughtful response. I am rapid-cycling, so I can be very functional [or at least appear that way] for a day, and then have a few days of roller-coaster madness.

I worked for myself all those yeas [15 total] because I really can't be an employee with much success. As a self-employed person I would work super hard and fast when I was up, and then disappear or lock myself in the office bathroom and cry when I was just melting down. Somehow I don't think I can pull that off teaching. It is hard to go from a profession to disability. Especially a "hidden" disability. I keep getting "Why would you even consider leaving the law?"

My new psych nurse practitioner just said that he hadn't read my entire file [an epic novel full of sorrow, triumph, and tragedy] and we had just met. His 'working diagnosis' seemed to be bipolar, as he drew me a diagram and spent 20 minutes explaining the diagnosis to me. My PCP said "bipolar 1."

Just as background, I have gotten so bad that I pulled a knife on a room full of police officers, and rammed my driver's license into the mouth of a cop, all while practicing law. That was in 1998. Somehow I rehabilitated myself to sit on the board of directors of many prestigious statewide organizations. Like I said, I'm a good actress. But I've been going downhill again these past two years, and this past year the ball has started to roll faster and faster. As an example, I am not taking care of hygiene as I should. Not good.

At the end of the day, I think I am exhausted from keeping up the "I'm fine!!!!" facade. And the up and down is too unpredictable [can we schedule mania for this Friday?] to count on where I will be each morning.

Do you know whether I have to have not worked AT ALL to qualify [my area of law is NOT disability] or can I try to do a few shifts here and there. I've been working less and less for two years until I just stopped in November of last year. But I am broke.

I'm sorry this is so long. I appreciate you!
Sandra

I am not sure how much you can work while on disability but I know it is not much! Maybe 6 hours a week??

Hopeful-
Since you have been your own boss for fifteen years [if I am reading you correctly], have you been paying into social security during that time?

I know a lot of people who work independently don't, and then find they are not eligible for SSDI [which is based on disability] but would only be eligible for SSI [which is based on financial need]...

SSDI is generally based on previous pay [because usually if you make more you pay more into the system] and often the benefits are much greater than SSI.
There are also different restrictions in terms of if you can work, how often, how much you can make and how that affects your benefits- depending on which program you are getting benefits from.

You can try to work here and there? I would say you have a better chance of being approved and working sporadically if, indeed, your diagnosis is BP.

Technically the litmus test is if one can support oneself with their income, but often it plays out more like "if this person is doing anything productive at all they probably aren't REALLY in need of disability benefits"...

But I know that given the nature of my diagnoses [one of them being bipolar], puts the erratic nature of my employment history into a context that makes more sense and actually helps make the case that I am disabled.

Background:
I was approved for SSDI in 2004, still receiving benefits [UUUUGH].

I work sporadically but have a lot of difficulty holding a job for very long.

It's been so sporadic that my "work months" [where you have 9 non-consecutive months in a 60 month period to work and make over the max allowed] have completely reset. I was at 5 months gone by making over the limit but now it's back to zero.

Applying for disability is kind of a convoluted process- and I would look into whether you have enough work credits [have worked and paid in] in the last ten years before making any kind of decision.

ETA: Working on disability- the max is determined by amount earned, not by hours per week [in the case of SSDI]. I think the max is about 900$ right now per month.

good luck.
J

I was thinking more about before I was approved. I'm hearing that it can take years, and really, if I can't work at all before approval, there is no choice. Just keep working. I think one of my biggest items of evidence of my deterioration is the drop in my income from 60K a year 5 years ago, to 20K last year. But nonetheless, eat I must! lol I was denied for general assistance.

Hey, you have a good day. I appreciate all the time you spent reading my missives.

HI Hopeful,

My job sounds like your field as it was very stressful and fast paced. These conditions, along with working with others, led me to mania in 3 jobs when I was medicated for bipolar I. I get really paranoid about others which makes me wonder if standing in front of a classroom would be an issue. Also, a lot of kids may test the subs or new teachers. That's just my two cents. I got on ssdi in 2010 and looking back I have no earthly idea how I pulled off corporate life. From what I read bipolar can get worst with age. I do think better meds will be avaliable, but Lord knows the price. Today I couldn't survive on just my ssdi so it's lucky that I'm married. It is also important to keep a schedule if you stop work. My pdoc told me that sobriety, exercise, and volunteering work better than any pill he can give.

Take Care.

tnt

For me I can work as long as I don't make over $900 a month. Also, the caveat is if you have a job or are on unemployment you will be denied disability because you're showing to be able and willing. It's BS

I have been trying to get disability benefits since 2010 and have appealed it several times, I haven't heard from my Lawyer in almost a year but I assume that she is still on my case (unless she retired which could be the case because she is over 65).

I have had severe depression all my life. At the moment, I'm suffering from SAD (seasonal affective disorder). For the past several years I have only been able to work during the summer months. I have little to no savings ($). If it wasn't for the support of my family, I would be on the streets. Several people have suggested going on unemployment or disability. I started to apply once... but couldn't even finish filling out the online form. I just couldn't. I'm afraid that once I head down that path that there is no turning back. Also, I'm worried about the stimga that follows.

Are futrue employers entitled to the information? Does it show up on background checks? Once you are on disability/unemployment, how difficult is it to come off it?

Any suggestions or insights you can provide, I would greatly appreciate.

RT, I'm sorry to hear that, it really sucks. If your lawyer has had the case 3-4 year, I would definitely get a new lawyer!!! I've been on SSDI Xs 2 now and each took about 7 months to get on it. Good luck!!

I tossed both ideas around in my head and even though I am working now I can't really rule out disablity most everything in my life is going to hard and challenging due to mental disorders. But I don't want to be hindered by them I want to go out there and live my life.

I want to work I want to go to school.

its harder for me then most people but it makes me want to try all the more at what I am doing.

I just wish being on SSDI wasn't so black & white in the application. Many types of MI disability have no rigid line between functional and not so functional. Instead of being rewarded for trying to work( let a person have a savings account during these times to earn money that is exempt from the SSDI rules until a person has been able to work for more than 18months with out being hospitalized or on leave) it ends up being discouraging for anyone who wants to work during the times their health is good.

I too have tried many times to go back to work.

I find as of now being on SSI is the best option...I don't think I am entirely incapable of all possible forms of work whatsoever, but yeah realistically my mental issues prevent me from working any substantial amount, even part time would be very difficult. I am hoping maybe eventually I can figure out some kind of job...but for now I am more thinking of what I might need to have somewhat improved mental health my current therapy isn't really helping but still giving it a couple more sessions maybe I need a type of therapy that isn't CBD...

But yes though I am on SSI I still do want to 'live life' and all that so I still do try to go out and do things I enjoy I don't feel too bad about spending money on things I don't absolutely 'need' and kind of have to if I want to keep my assets below 2,000. And maybe I will try out volunteering at an animal shelter to do something useful.

I would rather stay home. I've worked for 9 years straight with Schizoaffective disorder. What I notice most, is that my behavior or thought process was disruptive. I become paranoid, delusional, hallucinate, and start having highs/lows.

I'm not sure, if it's a hour limit,,to working or if monetary amount.

ssdi would give more cushion than ssi, especially if you had some good years of reported wages, in past ten years.

Being home, can be isolating.

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I am in the same spot. I have just spent 14 days of the last month in the hospital for bipolar disorder I am in the medical profession and the stress is making working difficult for me. Seems like I am less tolerant all the time. I am also trying to decide disability vs returning to work. I am not sure which direction to go at this time.

I'm not sure if I will ever be able to handle having a full-time job, at least any time soon. But, for me, just going to work part-time does wonders for my mental health! I like working, and wish I could work more.
When I had a breakdown last year, I applied for SSDI, but by the time I finally got a court date, I had improved mentally. It just seems like so much hassle. That's just me, though.