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Q: about mental health and disability

I, a 30 yr old male, have been diagnosed & am currently being treated with Zoloft/ativan for panic attacks, agorophobia, depression, and OCD's.  I also have depersonalization disorder, which I feel is my worst symptom of all because it's constant, but my psychiatrist seems to shy away from acknowledging that as a seperate entity from the panic disorder.    I have had these symptoms for about 2 years or more.   I feel as though I cannot work anymore, since at my last job, these symptoms are what caused me to lose the job and indeed become agorophobic.   I am to the point to where I can make it to doctors appointments by myself, by the hardest,  but I cannot go to a grocery store or something like that as I will depersonalize and have a severe attack even on ativan (though somewhat less frequently I must admit).     I feel as though I cannot work anymore,  this pisses me off because I had hopes of returning to school to do something in the medical field, but what can I do.      I applied for disability last year, I have a lawyer who accepted my case and we will see the judge to decide my fate within a few months time.  I am nervous because the psychiatrist I have seems to think that I should put my effort into "working on getting better instead of into disability" and I don't think he will testify via a written letter for me that I should be on disability.   In your experience, would you tend to think that I will probably win anyway with these genuine problems documented on my record?   (note, I also have a significant physical problem to which I fully expect to win my case for me, however this mental stuff is a backup plan).   Thanks.
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Avatar universal
I think both doctors are right, I think we need to put effort into managing our health and well-being so that we can function.

I think the question is irrelevant as you expect to win the case without the mh issues.

I'm in a similar situation although our welfare system is very different.
I first started out on an unemployment benefit (which probably isn't that unusual.  People here access it when they're between jobs, during university holidays, etc.  It means they haven't got a job but are actively seeking one).  Then because I was unemployed for a significant period of time and had health issues I was switched to a sickness benefit.  (Meaning I am unwell but can work for more than 15 hours in open employment).  Anyway, after a period on that I was told to apply for an Invalid's benefit (which I'm currently on at the moment.  It means I can work for a maximum of 15 hours a week in open employment).  I am also entitled to a disability allowance of up to $50 a week to cover medical expenses and cost of travel to medical treatment.

I agree with the doctor, you can become caught up in the sick role.  It is also more likely that you will get secondary issues too such as lack of confidence, etc.

In our country our previous government put many people on sickness benefits to reduce our employment rate.  The figures looked good on paper but that was about all.

I also think benefits can take a huge amount of pressure off people.  I think if I were confronted with the prospect of work I would either be dead or in hospital.
Mentally, I just can't deal with putting together a cv and having people judge it and me.  I don't even think I could deal with a job interview.  The last time I had one I freaked out the morning of the interview and canceled it.

There are services available here to help people through this process but I still get stuck on the cv and interview part.

I can work and I think I have an excellent work ethic but I just can't deal with it in open employment.  At home, my parents don't give me responsibility for anything (or else they go away and I'm responsible for everything).  My family criticize and devalue most things or do and I just feel constantly overwhelmed and disorganized.  I've tried to take control back by putting distance between them and myself and doing things I feel confident and competent doing.

Anyway, my point was: we need to work on addressing our issues so that we can function and if we need support while we do this, then that is OK.
It's perhaps not a bad idea to keep evaluating our situations either.

J
Helpful - 0
242532 tn?1269550379
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No one can predict the judge so I don't know the answer to your question. I can give you some advice...once caught up in the role of being mentally disabled, it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy and can ruin your life...your psychiatrist is right, you should  be making most of your efforts in the direction of mastering the underlying anxiety so you can have a normal life, and possibly realize your dreams.
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