Getting Disability for Depression???

marilynx

Awhile back I met a woman who used to live in my old neighborhood. She was a very nice woman. We would talk everytime we saw each other. One day out of the sake of conversation I asked her where did she work. She told me she didn't work. I looked confused because she lived alone except for her 16 year old son, so I knew something didn't seem right. I think she could read the expression in my face because she said, "oh, I'm in disability due to depression."

It took a lot of conscious thought to keep my face straight.

You're getting disability for being depressed?

What are your thoughts? Am I the only one who thinks this is a waste of money? Can depression really be so crippling that you can't work? I mean, even people with highly crippling mental disabilities on medication can go to work...... Is someone's depression so damning that they just won't be able to work? To me that's a hopeless existence.

debbash68

Hmm not sure about topic of post, but maybe shouldnt be calling people schizos! There's a lot of stigma out there , wouldn't want to add to it and make life harder for people

sissiluv

As a schizo on medication who currently cannot work I take mild offence to that.

But to the point of the thread, yes clinical depression can be crippling to the point where a person cannot work. Is it really your place to be judging the veracity of someone else's mental illness?

Do you have personal experience with it, or...?

obeseandsassy

If you have to ask, you've obviously never been clinically depressed.

Meds don't work for everyone. Therapy doesn't work for everyone. Just saying 'chin up' doesn't work for ANYONE.

I work at a psych hospital, and have a long history of mental illness. Mental illness is just as serious and pernicious as any physical ailment.

marilynx

As a schizo on medication who currently cannot work I take mild offence to that.

But to the point of the thread, yes clinical depression can be crippling to the point where a person cannot work. Is it really your place to be judging the veracity of someone else's mental illness?

Do you have personal experience with it, or...?

I'm very sorry. I shortened the work out of sheer laziness. I will go back and fix it.

And yes I do. I was clinically depressed for a long time. So was my brother. He was hospitalized because of it, and on meds. But disability was never offered to him to help. My mom has a mental disorder, that I will not disclose. But no disability. I was just wondering is all. I have mental illness rampant in my family, but disability for it? It still doesn't seem right.

I

Sashoi

I can't speak for depression but I have a friend who gets disability for being obese. In my eyes she can get up and lose the weight but everyone is not willing and able to do that. Now I applied for disability when I got diagnosed with Luekemia in 2009. They turned me down saying I didn't have a debilitating disease. Not to mention I have a disabled child that for as long as she live she will never be able to walk talk or feed herself. Yet to them I wasn't needy, but I didn't cry about and I continued to work and take care of my child while doing chemo. I just finished another 6 month round of chemo and I worked through it all. We all have our crosses to bear and only god can be the true judge. I like to believe that the man upstairs knew I was wrong enough and here I am 4 years later still living.

ostrichagain

To me that's a hopeless existence.

Then thank you're lucky stars it isn't yours. Depression run rampant through my family, many of my relatives have committed suicide. It's absolutely awful and REALLY it is a debilitating illness.

benol1

What are your thoughts? Am I the only one who thinks this is a waste of money? Can depression really be so crippling that you can't work? I mean, even people with highly crippling mental disabilities on medication can go to work...... Is someone's depression so damning that they just won't be able to work? To me that's a hopeless existence.

Yes. I was diagnosed with major depression over ten years ago. At the time I was put onto medication and it was so bad that I could not work. Depression is a serious condition that, unfortunately, can be fatal. I can assure you - major depression is not something you would wish on your worst enemy. These days my depression is something that I manage through medication, diet, exercise, regular sleep and maintaining important relationships. And while I have been out of work the last six months - that is due to the economic situation here rather than my condition.

As for the woman who you met - whether she was genuinely suffering from depression or whether she was rorting the system - that I do not know.
kind regards,

Ben

sissiluv

As a schizo on medication who currently cannot work I take mild offence to that.

But to the point of the thread, yes clinical depression can be crippling to the point where a person cannot work. Is it really your place to be judging the veracity of someone else's mental illness?

Do you have personal experience with it, or...?

I'm very sorry. I shortened the work out of sheer laziness. I will go back and fix it.

And yes I do. I was clinically depressed for a long time. So was my brother. He was hospitalized because of it, and on meds. But disability was never offered to him to help. My mom has a mental disorder, that I will not disclose. But no disability. I was just wondering is all. I have mental illness rampant in my family, but disability for it? It still doesn't seem right.

I

I'm very sorry you've had to experience it. It's an evil, soul sucking monster.

Personally when the subject of disability for depression was brought up to me, I didn't feel right about it either, even though there were days when I was too busy crying in bed to do anything else. Even now that I'm applying for it now that my diagnosis has been 'upgraded' from major depression it still feels odd not earning my own money and instead getting it from the government.

The way I see it though, if the person is on disability then there's obviously a need for it. Likewise just going onto disability doesn't end your life. A person can still work limited hours if they want to and earn a set amount of money (at least where I live), go to school, etc. And if the person exceeds the limit of money they can make then they just don't receive the money from the government but the status stays with them.
It's not an end. It's a support net.

obeseandsassy

For those who don't understand just how truly crippling depression can be, take a look at this blog post. It's a perfect explanation, and even manages to be funny while talking about such a serious subject:

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2013/05/depression-part-two.html

randomtai

If you have to ask, you've obviously never been clinically depressed.

This.

RllyGudTweetr

If you have to ask, you've obviously never been clinically depressed.

Exactly so. Clinical depression is not "feeling kind of down."

Barbellgirl

As someone that helps people get approved for disability benefits I can tell you yes, they can. It must be very severe though, despite treatment. I urge people not to judge others. Unless you've seen their medical records you cannot possibly understand the severity of their mental impairments. Depression is often not the only diagnosis carried by such a person.

Slippyslope

I live with someone who suffers from depression.....I think I am becoming DISABLED! :frown:
Seriously, it can be BAD!

orangebuttercat

I had a stroke, was paralyzed, determined I wouldn't work ever again.
SS said no.
My long term disability insurer, hired a company that specializes in helping deserving people get disability..
It took them two years, but my disability went through, and they granted it to me.

My point is if its dibilitating enough, you may not be able to do it alone.
If you want the name of the company that helped me, Pm me.

BTW thanks to ticket to work program,and tireless rehab I am no longer on disability. (although i get medicare for 6 years, and go back on it anytime I want)

SrJoben

What are your thoughts? Am I the only one who thinks this is a waste of money? Can depression really be so crippling that you can't work? I mean, even people with highly crippling mental disabilities on medication can go to work...... Is someone's depression so damning that they just won't be able to work? To me that's a hopeless existence.

I think you don't understand the condition.

Ok, I'll try to explain this...many mental disorders give people trouble, but assuming they have anything like normal cognition they may be able to work and want to do so. Depression can be very disabling.

Pretend for a moment you are a severely depressed person and that these emotions are yours:

Imagine the most activity you could manage was lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling and sorta hoping you might spontaneously die. Not even necessarily want to kill yourself, it just crosses you mind that it would be ok if you didn't have to do this pointless thing we call life. How on Earth can you go to work when nothing in the entire Universe matters? What would be the point?

It is indeed hopeless. That is quite literally the condition we are talking about. You are, at least temporarily, completely without hope. The concept is alien, therefore the perfectly logical conclusion is that no action is worthwhile or even possible. In your mind there is absolutely no way it would possibly turn out well.

Depression is not like being sad. Depression is your brain not working properly in a very serious way.

Read the hyperbole and a half blog post obeseandsassy linked too. It's good.

TeachTheGirl

It's about time mental health was covered under health insurance plans, honestly.

whitlisd

I had to go on short term disability this spring for depression. It was the first time ever that it has affected me so badly that I actually missed work and I'm 41. It got triggered by a few things which made me eventually snap. I've suffered with it chronically since I was a child.

It took me a long time to realize that look, when you are physically sick you may need to be home from work because if you went you would not be a productive member of the team. It's the same with mental illness. When you have no will to live or even to get out of bed, how can you perform your job on any sort of competent level? Yes, a person with depression "can" work, but are the mentally stable enough to? That is the question. And sure, there is medication and half of that leaves you feeling worse off than you were in the first place.

We MUST get rid of the stigma of mental illness. It is real. People suffer and should NOT be judged because of it. There is a 1 in 4 chance that ANY of us could have it throughout our lives.

bookworm_847

For those who don't understand just how truly crippling depression can be, take a look at this blog post. It's a perfect explanation, and even manages to be funny while talking about such a serious subject:

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2013/05/depression-part-two.html

Yes, she totally nailed it right there and was able to put into words everything I've never been able to express.

Depression runs in both sides of my family, and there have been times I've been so bad I couldn't even get out of bed. I've missed work and other events because of it, but I've never thought about trying for disability for my depression, though. Some people may see it as a legit reason for getting disability, but the way I was raised would make me not feel right about it.

I wouldn't be able to give a blanket answer to your question since it seems that most people with depression don't suffer through it the exact same way as everyone else.

marilynx

I can't speak for depression but I have a friend who gets disability for being obese. In my eyes she can get up and lose the weight but everyone is not willing and able to do that. Now I applied for disability when I got diagnosed with Luekemia in 2009. They turned me down saying I didn't have a debilitating disease. Not to mention I have a disabled child that for as long as she live she will never be able to walk talk or feed herself. Yet to them I wasn't needy, but I didn't cry about and I continued to work and take care of my child while doing chemo. I just finished another 6 month round of chemo and I worked through it all. We all have our crosses to bear and only god can be the true judge. I like to believe that the man upstairs knew I was wrong enough and here I am 4 years later still living.

See, this is the problem. If you can get disability for something like depression, then you should be able to get it if you have cancer, especially if you have a disabled child. You are a survivor ma'am. Awesome for you.

I just think we should be trying to FIX the problem. That money could be spent on intensive inpatient treatment. I had a professor in college who discussed this topic. It was a Drugs and Society class. After taking his class I have a whole different perspective on America's treatment of mental disorders. Instead of trying to help we medicate and put bandaids just to keep making money off of people's suffering. Disability for obesity? I guess it pays more to keep a person motivated to stay obese so doctors are guaranteed thousands of dollars by the time this person dies.

I'm not trying to judge, but I am entitled to my opinion. I had no idea that depression could be so crippling. Like I said I watched my brother spiral in it. He was hospitalized for a month, medicated and sedated; he used to tell me demons were following him. I cried for him quite a bit. After awhile he got some newer aged treatment, starting exercising, and now he's in college and going to work. I guess that's why I didn't empathize with the woman, because I saw my brother fight it and come out on top.

I am glad I asked. I learned something new. It still makes me uneasy, but that's probably because there are theoretical practices that could be tried. But every situation is a different case, so I don't know.

radashley

To know that someone can receive disability for their depression shows that the government is at least starting to take mental health more seriously. As someone who struggles with depression and has friends struggling as well, I have seen and experienced the debilitating effects of it firsthand. Also, many people have a dual diagnosis, so that makes it even harder. Yes, it can be very hard to leave the house or even bed for some people, so if this what someone struggles with everyday, then I believe they should receive disability. If they end up getting the right medication or even some of these newer treatments, then it's possible they won't be on disability for the rest of their life.

TigerBite

It's comments like this that make people afraid or embarassed to seek help for mental illness ...

You shouldn't judge ... I am visually impaired (legally blind due to a genetic condition called Stargardt's, which is similar to AR Macular Degeneration) ... People can be really rude about it, just because I don't use a cane or have a seeing eye dog (which I would qualify for), wear fashionable sunglasses instead of medical grade ones (too much light, especially sun and flouresent hurts my eyes), and try to "blend in" with normal sighted people (though when I take out one of my magnifying aides, then that kind of gives it away, lol) doesn't mean anything ... Just because a person doesn't have a visible disability, doesn't mean they don't have one ...

ellenasl210

I'm glad that the government is starting to take mental health issues seriously. However, I'm not really a supporter of any type of government money aid. I know how important it is, but I can't get the thought out of my mind that I'm busting my *kitten* at work and they're getting my hard-earned money doing little to nothing.

And I have suffered with multiple mental health issues throughout my life, and I'm only 18. I really have to fight some days, but I do it. So I guess I don't understand... to each his own.

littlebudgie

I can't speak for depression but I have a friend who gets disability for being obese. In my eyes she can get up and lose the weight but everyone is not willing and able to do that. Now I applied for disability when I got diagnosed with Luekemia in 2009. They turned me down saying I didn't have a debilitating disease. Not to mention I have a disabled child that for as long as she live she will never be able to walk talk or feed herself. Yet to them I wasn't needy, but I didn't cry about and I continued to work and take care of my child while doing chemo. I just finished another 6 month round of chemo and I worked through it all. We all have our crosses to bear and only god can be the true judge. I like to believe that the man upstairs knew I was wrong enough and here I am 4 years later still living.

See, this is the problem. If you can get disability for something like depression, then you should be able to get it if you have cancer, especially if you have a disabled child. You are a survivor ma'am. Awesome for you.

I just think we should be trying to FIX the problem. That money could be spent on intensive inpatient treatment. I had a professor in college who discussed this topic. It was a Drugs and Society class. After taking his class I have a whole different perspective on America's treatment of mental disorders. Instead of trying to help we medicate and put bandaids just to keep making money off of people's suffering. Disability for obesity? I guess it pays more to keep a person motivated to stay obese so doctors are guaranteed thousands of dollars by the time this person dies.

I'm not trying to judge, but I am entitled to my opinion. I had no idea that depression could be so crippling. Like I said I watched my brother spiral in it. He was hospitalized for a month, medicated and sedated; he used to tell me demons were following him. I cried for him quite a bit. After awhile he got some newer aged treatment, starting exercising, and now he's in college and going to work. I guess that's why I didn't empathize with the woman, because I saw my brother fight it and come out on top.

I am glad I asked. I learned something new. It still makes me uneasy, but that's probably because there are theoretical practices that could be tried. But every situation is a different case, so I don't know.

You don't know what kind of treatments she's undergoing at the moment, how many she's tried before, how long she's been doing it, if her previous medication stopped working for her (it happens), if her psych wanted to exhaust SSRI class medications before trying SNRI medications, if she's currently trying to get a job that has a schedule that will work for her (because going from 0 to a 40+ hour work week is seriously overwhelming), if she's taking a break from working to allow herself to focus on her mental health recovery, and on, and on, and on. I sure as anything wouldn't be sharing those details with my neighbours.

(And no, as someone with depression that responds to no treatment but medication (and lord knows I've tried), medication is not a bandaid. Medication is effectively my insulin. The technology to permanently fix what is wrong with my brain is a long way off.)

Hell, even recovery is hard work. "Crap, I still feel bad. This is the xth medication I'm taking and it's still not working, I'm a failure, nothing is going to work for me, why am I even trying, I'm just wasting everyone's time and money, just because I'm thinking bad things about myself doesn't mean they're wrong and attributable to depression, f this I'm just going to sleep for the rest of the day," is a thought pattern I've been through multiple times, and I know I'm not the only person.

Not to mention, if she's the sole caretaker for a minor, even if she can financially afford to be hospitalized long enough to set up an effective long-term treatment plan, she might not be able to have her kid watched for that long. My parents might have left me alone for a few days when I was 16, but I sure as anything can't imagine them leaving me alone for a month+. Given that most medications take several weeks to start showing effects, and several are contraindicated, meaning she would have to be fully weaned off one before starting another, this could take several months of inpatient treatment, as opposed to her simply taking these medications at home where she can keep an eye on her kid.

TL;DR 1) depression can be seriously crippling, 2) given how tightfisted disability services are, someone far more qualified than you has certainly determined that hers is such a case, and 3) it can take a very, very long time to find a treatment that allows one to get back into normal adult life.

Barbellgirl

OP, I'll just add this as well. It's extremely difficult to get approved for social security disability these days. It's a downright battle to be honest. Someone that's receiving these benefits, not only had the burden to prove their impairment(s) were severe enough to prevent them from working for at least 12 consecutive months, they must also periodically prove that they remain unable to work and have not had significant improvement. These benefits are not handed out willy nilly as some people seem to think.

rodneyderrick

There's no need for name calling because a lot of people have mental issues. Anyway, severe depression is crippling, and a mental disorder that warrants a disability check from the government.

marilynx

@ budgie

That's true. I really don't know what all she has tried. However, there are some things about her that kinda tells me she hasn't exhausted all avenues. And I'm very sorry you've had such a battle with depression. See, in my mind I always saw depression as something that has to be overcome, not like an actual DISEASE. to me it's like cancer, a very bad disease that you can either succomb to or survive. Is that a bad analogy to have. With the way some of the posters sound it seems like depression can be something lifelong that can't be cured.

@lenora

Loo! Oh trust me, I know. I'm not someone who believes that people can easily scan the system to get money, or that the to government is handing out assistance like it's a free for all. And that's not even the point of the thread. Basically when she told me she was on disability I didn't know if she meant government or job related disability. Either way to me it doesn't matter. I just figured it would be money better spent if it was spent on better treatment, and not just on some psychiatrist trying to milk the person for as long as they can. I know not all psychiatrists are like that, but how is she getting help to get over her illness? Is the psychiatrist really doing their patient justice by doing this?

Pixi_Rex

Well I can see you have never ever dealt with depression. Depression is crippling, it can make you desperate, it can make you not want to get out of bed. It is not just a made up thing, I think anyone suffering from severe depression deserves to get disability while they work with doctors to improve their mental state.

sissiluv

Just because it feels relevant...


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/medical/IM00356

littlebudgie

@ budgie

That's true. I really don't know what all she has tried. However, there are some things about her that kinda tells me she hasn't exhausted all avenues. And I'm very sorry you've had such a battle with depression. See, in my mind I always saw depression as something that has to be overcome, not like an actual DISEASE. to me it's like cancer, a very bad disease that you can either succomb to or survive. Is that a bad analogy to have. With the way some of the posters sound it seems like depression can be something lifelong that can't be cured.

I like to compare chronic major depressive disorder to diabetes. It's usually a lifelong condition (although depression's severity can fluctuate). Untreated, it can do a serious number on you, even kill you. It can go undetected for quite some time, it can show up at different ages, and some people are better at sticking to the necessary regimens for managing it than others. Some people can manage it non-medicinally, while others need medications all their life, and some people might be able to manage it non-medicinally but find it safer/easier/more comfortable to manage it with medication. None of these choices are the wrong ones, so long as they take care of themselves and are healthy.

She might not have tried all her options. Unfortunately, depression is pretty good at making trying seem futile. If that is the case, I sincerely hope she finds the drive to find a solution, for her own sake.

Jason_7784

Having suffered from depression for nearly 15 years I can tell you, yes, it can be crippling. It's hard for people who don't suffer from things like this to imagine. Someone who is clinically depressed walks around in a sort of daze all the time. All thoughts turn to the negative and a lot of people contemplate suicide. For some people it is literally impossible to pull themselves out of it. It becomes such a huge part of your life that it literally makes it impossible to work.

There are, however, some people who try to game the system. Fortunately when you apply for disability based on a mental health issue you have to go see psychiatrists who are hired and paid by the Social Security Administration. Those guys are VERY thorough and even a lot of people who have a legitimate claim will be denied benefits. It's very hard to get approved without having a proven disability than prevents you from working. On average it takes people 4-6 years to get approved for disability benefits.