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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brynb on January 8, 2013, at 20:43:25
Hi all-
I wanted some feedback and also wanted to give an update to an earlier thread I started.
I saw my pdoc yesterday and we didn't have time to discuss my desire to apply for disability. He seems to be leaning towards a definitive diagnosis of Bipolar 2 rather than MDD. But, he's so damn hesitant. Based on my experience, mood charting, research, story sharing and simply being self-aware, I believe BP2 is a pretty accurate Dx. As he and I didn't have time to discuss disability, he wants me to email him my argument for it. Really?
Below is my earlier thread, and suffice to say, I've been out of commission for a good 7-8 years due to depression (and substance abuse, which is no longer an issue, but was my way of self-medicating). When I was younger, despite breakdowns and depression, I managed to get by. I got my bachelors. I got my masters. I worked high pressure jobs. Now, I just can't anymore. I fall apart. I'm unreliable. I feel like I've been to hell and back this past decade and can't understand why he's putting off my disability process.
Here's my original disability thread:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20121217/msgs/1034126.html
Thanks and I welcome your comments.
-Bryn
Posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2013, at 21:37:48
In reply to Disability update-feedback, please!, posted by brynb on January 8, 2013, at 20:43:25
Bryn as my pdoc I liked and had for years said to me sometimes a person reaches their limit for stress and time off is needed. Phillipa
Posted by brynb on January 9, 2013, at 13:58:36
In reply to Re: Disability update-feedback, please! » brynb, posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2013, at 21:37:48
hi phillipa-
thanks. i've reached my stress limit for sure. thanks for your input; your insight is always right on.
-b xx
Posted by brynb on January 9, 2013, at 13:59:50
In reply to Disability update-feedback, please!, posted by brynb on January 8, 2013, at 20:43:25
Posted by Zyprexa on January 9, 2013, at 20:57:58
In reply to Re: Disability update-feedback, please! » brynb, posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2013, at 21:37:48
> Bryn as my pdoc I liked and had for years said to me sometimes a person reaches their limit for stress and time off is needed. Phillipa
Think that is what happened to me.
I've been on SSDI now about 4 years. I think a lot of it is what your pdoc says to SSDI. Your records and what you put into your aplication. Also I had been with my pdoc for almost a decade before applying to SSDI.
Posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2013, at 21:11:50
In reply to Re: Disability update-feedback, please! » Phillipa, posted by Zyprexa on January 9, 2013, at 20:57:58
Yes seems we each have a limit to how much stress, disappointments, traumas in our lives we can handle and then we crumple. My pdoc also did my paperwork and I got it first try. I wonder what he wrote. I think I don't want to know. Phillipa
Posted by alchemy on January 13, 2013, at 13:20:11
In reply to Re: Disability update-feedback, please! » brynb, posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2013, at 21:37:48
Hi brynb. Are you thinking about it through the company you work for or government? I just started short term disability for a month, and then my dr put part-time for a month. I need it, but of course i have more time in my head and loneliness. I am nervous about going back but i guess even doctors and other professionals take leaves for mental illness. The problem with mine is a break isnt going to put me on my feet again. I dont know what the hell im going to do. I feel your pain and dilema. Is your issue primarily depression? How long? Has it been as big of an issue at other places?
Posted by brynb on January 13, 2013, at 14:03:02
In reply to Re: Disability update-feedback, please!, posted by alchemy on January 13, 2013, at 13:20:11
Hi alchemy-
Thanks so much for the feedback. It's for depression or bipolar 2. I haven't held down a ft job in over 2 years because of it. I'm a writer and teacher and take freelance/independent contractor positions here & there, but I can't anymore. I'm mentally incapable and never know when an episode will hit. I'm also treatment-resistant.
Sorry, off on a tangent here. I just want time off to get well, heal, do some Tx and try meds while giving them time to work and giving me time to rest from side effects.
I'm starting to disdain my podc & feel ready to give up.
Thanks again,
B
Posted by alchemy on January 13, 2013, at 20:18:39
In reply to Re: Disability update-feedback, please! » alchemy, posted by brynb on January 13, 2013, at 14:03:02
> Hi alchemy-
>
> Thanks so much for the feedback. It's for depression or bipolar 2. I haven't held down a ft job in over 2 years because of it. I'm a writer and teacher and take freelance/independent contractor positions here & there, but I can't anymore. I'm mentally incapable and never know when an episode will hit. I'm also treatment-resistant.
>
> Sorry, off on a tangent here. I just want time off to get well, heal, do some Tx and try meds while giving them time to work and giving me time to rest from side effects.
>
> I'm starting to disdain my podc & feel ready to give up.
>
> Thanks again,
> BI'm so sorry. It sucks. I was fired from my last job & received a warning from my current one that has been so hard to deal with. Before I was eligible to apply for disability with my company, I started the process of going through the government, but I didn't follow through with it. I do know that it is suppose to be normal to get denied the first time you file and attorneys start sending you emails wanting to represent you.
Have you applied? (sorry, I didn't catch where you were in the process) It sounds like you should if you haven't. For myself, I am wondering if it's the long-term effects of stress and depression have created a more extreme breaking point or if I am just sick of it. I have always had depression problems, but somehow in my younger years I could make myself get lost in work at times.
Sometimes it is hard to know our limits. It sucks when it changes with mood cycling. But we still have our limits. Call it stress, pressure, struggle or pain. Sanity is personal and needs to be protected.
Posted by brynb on January 13, 2013, at 21:13:32
In reply to Re: Disability update-feedback, please!, posted by alchemy on January 13, 2013, at 20:18:39
Posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2013, at 22:44:08
In reply to Re: Disability update-feedback, please!, posted by alchemy on January 13, 2013, at 20:18:39
How true I did reach mine. But now do a bit of online work ebay selling and it's supporting us. What is your passion the thing most interested in See if you can capitalize on this after taking some time for you and only you Phillipa
Posted by alchemy on January 14, 2013, at 11:40:53
In reply to Re: Disability update-feedback, please! » alchemy, posted by Phillipa on January 13, 2013, at 22:44:08
> How true I did reach mine. But now do a bit of online work ebay selling and it's supporting us. What is your passion the thing most interested in See if you can capitalize on this after taking some time for you and only you Phillipa
That's good you found something Phillipa. I also have the problem of not having a passion about anything. There are things I know I am good at if only I had some motivation and was well enough to handle it.
Posted by Phillipa on January 14, 2013, at 20:13:12
In reply to Re: Disability update-feedback, please! » Phillipa, posted by alchemy on January 14, 2013, at 11:40:53
I admit have to push myself and have learned not to try and do too many in a night 1-2 is limit as write long descriptions of items. Phillipa
Posted by johnLA on January 14, 2013, at 21:47:33
In reply to Disability update-feedback, please!, posted by brynb on January 8, 2013, at 20:43:25
hi b-
first, thnx for the 'hello' a few weeks ago. i appreciate you thinking of me.
as i told you before i went out on early-retirement after 26 years of teaching this past june. i have not worked in a over a year. i'm not too sure how good this is for mental health to be honest. not suggesting that you do not go for disability, but once some people go that route, they never go back in to the work place. i am not saying this will happen to you. but, it breaks my heart because that is how it feels for me. i'm only 49. i loved my job too. i always had a job since i was throwing newspapers in the hood at age 10. now, i have literally been bedridden for over 2 years. no responsibilities, no curiosity, no routine. no reason to shower, shave, dress. the big lebowski is tony robbins compared to me. sigh
to answer your question though i would seek-out a attorney. i had to do all the paperwork myself and it really kicked my *ss. having some help would have been great. also, the lawyers, are limited on what they can charge. and, they get nothing if you do not get approved.
bryn, you know yourself best. if you need a 'time-out' from life to get well. go for it.
take care of yourself.
john
Posted by brynb on January 15, 2013, at 3:14:35
In reply to Re: Disability update-feedback, please!, posted by johnLA on January 14, 2013, at 21:47:33
Hi John-
Great to see you. I was thinking of you! I hope you're well (or, at the least, better),
Thanks for the feedback. I'm pretty convinced at this point to apply, and I think a lawyer is a good route.
Again, I'm hoping you're getting better! Feel good and speak soon.
- b
This is the end of the thread.
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