Am I disabled? - Disabilities Message Board

crazykatlady · 07-20-2004, 08:18 PM

Hi to all-

I don't know what to do. About 3 years ago my marriage ended(long and painful). Well, I fell apart. I mean REALLY fell apart. Clinical Depression, OCD, Sleep Troubles(like I just started passing out, then other times couldn't sleep for days), Major Panic Attacks, Problems leaving the house, you get the idea.

Well, I started a new job. I took a lower position to reduce stress. I also told them I was depressed, seeing a doc., and on meds. I hadn't worked since the depression hit so I didn't know what to expect. Turns out I would have panic attacks and would often be about 10min late-sometimes more. I would generally call. Sometimes I couldn't b/c no one was there, or I was driving and don't have a cell phone. It didn't become a major problem until my manager went out on leave and a different one stepped in. He transfered me to another store that was farther away*it helped his career if I was there, and firing me would be easier. I explained my why I was late-panic attacks, etc. He then told only people I was "psyco"

. And made fun of the fact I took meds

That made my panic attacks worst! I contacted my DM, she did nothing. So I contacted HR. I asked for an acomidation, or to be transfers to a store that was only 1.2 miles from my home. Nothing was none I was fired.
The are more details of harassment, name calling, and unfair treatment.
I was not the only one late and I had the highest sales numbers, sales performance, and customers service letters.

I recieved unemployement, but when I tried to file a complaint w/the state, they wouldn't take it. I provided shedules showing I was not the only one late, but only one written up..several times. I felt I proved my case under CA. Law. I even spoke w/a Fed.Officier that said the company WAS at fault. So now..I'm too Frig'n afraid to apply for work. After 6 months I did get my nerve up, but...I WAS FIRED for being late(w/o reason b/c my disorder isn't a reason) All of this makes the disorder worst! And b/c I lost my health care I couldn't afford my meds, but I can't afford not to take them(I get thoughts of killing myself). I found a program that helps w/cost of meds, but not doc. visits.

I'm selling my home to pay the bills, but b/c I'm so freaked out I haven't been able to do it and the bank will sell it in a few weeks. What the heck is going on w/me and is there any help? Sorry so long, and I'm sure I left something out. I just do not know what the heck to do!

Help?

leather green · 07-21-2004, 06:08 AM

I am new here and many more people are more qualified to give you advise, and they are very well informed so keep posting. My advise is try .my friend got it the first time around for Bi-polar. I would call ssd and put in your paper work because it takes a while. I have been waiting a year I am waiting on my appeal. I live in indiana please keep me informed. good luck
Leather green

crazykatlady · 07-21-2004, 07:49 AM

Hi & Welcome

Thank you for your response. I'm just really confused. I don't feel disabled, I know there are people who have many more problems than I, but...I can't do the things I use to be able to do. I've had to unplug the phone b/c I get panic attacks when it rings. My mail box is located in the lobby and I can barely bring myself to check it once a week. I just feel trapped. I can't belive I could be homeless?!?
Thank you for your response. Good Luck to you too!

seawater · 07-21-2004, 01:53 PM

How long have you been in the work force? Leather Green is right; it's possible that you might qualify for disability benefits from Social Security. Take a look at their website: http://www.ssa.gov/

It really depends upon how many work credits that you have earned.

But there are two types: SSDI and SSI. With SSI, you don't need any work credits, but your monthly check isn't much.

Hang in there. And don't give up.

Good luck.

injured betty · 07-21-2004, 02:13 PM

Sounds like you are freaked out! I have a friend who had the same condition only she had panic attacks when under those bright lights which made it hard for her to work. She got fired. She fought it and lost. She went on year w/o work. She filed for SSI and got it. It is not enough to live on so she lives in low income housing. She has become a recluse. She barely gets by.

Is there any other kind of work that you can do that doesn't involve a boss or a timeline?

There are a lot of people who find work that they can do at home or on line that makes them more money than a outside job but they pay for their own benefits. On line/e-bay is a way to make money. Something as simple as selling from your home since you were in sales.

We have people here who hit the Goodwill 'as is' stores and yard sales and then turn around and have a yard sale, e-bay, or flea markets and make as much or more than I do. If you know what to buy and when to sell, and who your market is, you can make it. You don't want to sink lower into despair.

You might have to sell your home and live off of the money to get going. Or, you might take out a second on your house or a reverse mortage.

If you were a people person and then a divorce sent you into a tail spin, don't let it beat you. Take charge. They were wrong for firing you and if you had had the strength to fight it, you could have forced them to hire you back. You could have filed an EEO complaint. I think that there is a time line on that and you really have to be a bull dog to pursue it.

Maybe that is what you need right now, something to sink your teeth into to fight for so that you can pull yourself out of the depression. That is what keeps me going. I find an issue that I really believe in and then fight it.

It took my husband six months for OWCP to even acknowledge an injury. They finally approved it but I thought that I had taken on the world by the time it was done. Now they own his neck injury for life. He really did injure his neck at work and we were not seeking anything beyond medical bills as he has worked there 30 years and still is.

It is my understanding that SS or SSI is much harder. The ones who have it easy are the children who have ADHD or ADD, they whiz right through. I know of parents who get $1500 per child per month if they can get a doctor to write it up. That is wrong. Then there are those who worked their entire lives, paid in, and it takes them years to be approved.

good luck