job

I am redy to quit my job every time I am in my depressed episode, I don't want to be around anyone or do anything. Can I get disability benefits for my Bipolar? I feel that I am getting worse and I am falling into a deep depression again, I am binge eating I have racing thoughts I am tired I feel frustrated and confused with my words sometimes. How extreme does The Bipolar have to be to get benefits?

[ILADVOCATE]

  It would depend on whether medical documentation could substantiate that at this point you are unable to work. Also your past work history would be taken into consideration. For more information you can go to the Social Security website itself at ssa.gov. Also under "listings of impairments" on the site they have the criteria for all disabilities and you can find the criteria for bipolar disorder and discuss this with your psychiatrist.

[inconfusionalways]

Ok, I just read the limitations  on the mental impairment. I found out I can''t even get in the door. I am a supervisor and the only way I made supervisor is because of the clearness of my thinking. Your either Bipolar non functional or your Bipolar over functional. I've always been a bright person and capable of anything thrown my way, but now I wish I didn't have the capabilities I have now. I've always had good memory but their are some days I can't get my thoughts straight and my words are all mixed up and backwards as if I was dislexic saying things in the wrong order. Some days I can't even drag myself out of bed or want to be around anyone. It got bad twice I tried to commit suicide with my own medication, and was admitted to 2 weeks in the psyco ward, ( is what my daughter calls it.) I mean you have to be almost and totally dysfunctional before they even consider an application. thanks for the advice. I've been Bipolar all my life and didn't even know until 2 years ago when my anxiety got really bad. It hurts in a way people don't understand I can't even cry, get emotional or get angry to the extreme because I get anxiety attacks that send me to the hospital that turn into Angina a heart condition. So basically I am holding everything in. I am so frustrated with the feeling I  have all over, head to toe. I am dizzy, and feel the anxiety in my chest and my mind never rests. My body is literally in pain all the time. I guess it's true when they say it's all in you head, because the mind doesn't stop I guess it's an over load of the mind, that everything it's not capable of handling, It sends to the body and stresses it out. but than again I'm crazy it's only MY thought!

[darlenedaisy]

Hi,
I can relate.  I have begun to lose jobs as well from my depressive bipolar episodes.
I have had to accept my limitations, which was very difficult, as I was high functioning for years as well.  It really hurt my pride, but I had to accept reality.

I now have a job where i work part time, and not with people much.

I had to get on disability.  There should be advocates that will help you to get onto disability.  They know the process well and can navigate the bureaucracy of it all. Look on internet for free advocates. there are people who volunteer to help out of the goodness of their hearts.  That is what I did, and they got me thru all the hoops and barriers.

You have an illness, and u deserve to get those benefits. You have put money into the system and that is what it was created for, people like us. So keep on fighting, you need not suffer, and live with that chaos.

I am in Canada, but if you are in the states, I am sure there are advocates there too.

I wish you all the best, keep on fighting.
Hugs Darlene

[lindahand]

Check your work benefits as you may have short-term or long-term disability and those benefits are usually easier to get than Social security, especially short term. Maybe a break verses quitting entirely would be in order. Losing the structure of work can often make mood disorders worse. If it isn't possible to work it isn't possible to work. I've taken many leaves and am now working only part-time due to medication side effects. Sometimes you can't do it. But if you can hold on as long as possible it is a good thing for your mental well being. Staying at home looking at the walls can get very stressful, as can the money issues that come from being unemployed.

[inconfusionalways]

Thank you all for your advice, I appreciate the fact that you all underastand what I am feeling. I am not going to say that it's even better because you are going through or have gone through this yourselves, but in fact am grateful that someone else understands where I am coming from. I will take your advice into consideration and am trying to hold off for as long as I can, but it's like jumping walls, knocking down barriers, and finding the door in the dark. An obstacle course of challenges. Thank You once again!