CAN I GET DISABILTY BEING BIPOLAR - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

MZROSE · 11-20-2002, 11:06 AM

I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED AS BIPOLAR. I TAKE DEPAKOTE AND WELLBUTIN ON AND OFF.NOT GOOD AT TAKING MY MEDS.DONT SEEM TO CHANGE ANYTHING ANY WAY.I HAVE HELD A JOB FOR 25 YRS. I CURRENTLY AM OFF WORK FOR A BACK PROBLEM BUT AM GLAD DUE TO THE FACT THAT WORK WAS REALLY STARTING TO CLOSE IN ON ME. I AM TERRIFIED OF GOING BACK.ONT WANT TO BE AROUND PEOPLE.HATE EVERYONE JUST WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE IN MY OWN LITTLE SPACE.IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET OFF WORK FOR THIS PROBLEM? PEOPLE CALL ME WEIRD ALL THE TIME.

Jabber · 11-20-2002, 03:52 PM

I collected SS Disabilty for 2 1/2 years due to Bipolar and some physical aliments, could not take it anymore and went back to work, and if I was you what other people think of you, its what you think of yourself, GOD does not make junk

[This message has been edited by minerva (edited 11-22-2002).]

MZROSE · 11-20-2002, 04:24 PM

THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE..I WILL CONTINUE ON MY QUEST THEN...I AM ASKING MY DR. TO REFER ME TO A PSYCHIATRIST. YOU MADE ME FEEL BETTER .WHAT ALL DID YOU HAVE TO GO THRU TO PROVE YOUR DISABILITY? WHAT ALL DID IT ENTAIL? THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

Jabber · 11-21-2002, 03:58 AM

MD and shrink signed State disabilty papers and I called SS up and they sent me a whole load of paperwork, questionares etc, its been 10 years so? If you have a hard time getting SS Dis there are a ton of lawlyers who speciize in this field, but please think this out and for yourself please get a good shrink, going on dis could make you worse it did to me imho. Good Luck

magnolia · 11-21-2002, 07:32 PM

your best bet is to call your local ssa office or at least file an application for disability so they can discuss the requirements with you...usually you have to be disabled or will be disabled for a period of about 12 months or so, and this includes following the doctors orders for taking meds as prescribed....not taking meds that create a disability is not a basis for a disability approval....
if your employer offers an early medical retirement program then you may qualify for that as the conditions are usually different than the regulations for ssa....also if your employer offers short or long term diability insurance than a mental illness will qualify you for that as well...also important to let your employer know that you are bipolar as leave should be granted for doctor's visits, also you have certain protections with your job in the event that you are seeking treatment but the meds are not working for you...best wishes to you!!!